10 Of The Best Restaurants In Karuizawa

Indeed, the food scene here is excellent, with fine dining restaurants in abundance; however there's also a choice of more casual spots for when you're feeling in the mood for something cheap, but equally cheerful. From private venues floating in the forest, to pub grub on the ground (well, actually one storey above a brewery), Karuizawa is dishing up some incredible foodie experiences. Learn about all these and more in our list of Karuizawa's 10 best restaurants.  

Shishi-Iwa House is a stunning architectural retreat-amongst-the-trees that has been featured in The New York Times, as well as being named one of the World's 50 Best new discoveries for 2026. You can therefore assume that the onsite restaurant is also a standout, and it is. Shola is the name and modern, Japanese-meets-French cuisine is its game; prepared by executive chef Masashi Okamot, who comes from a leading hotel in Tokyo. Shola is his playground for celebrating seasonal ingredients from Karuizawa and wider Nagano, with signature dishes like 40-day dry-aged Akagi Wagyu beef, and what diners have dubbed 'the best vegan burger in the world.' A thoughtful selection of local wines and sake rounds out the menu, which we recommend enjoying on the outdoor terrace (though to be fair, there's not a bad seat in this spectacularly designed house). 

One thing that's getting people through the door more than anything else in 2026 is a delicious Instagram account. Ha-Na-Re has that particular recipe down pat, serving up a grid of precisely-plated treats that will have you salivating as you scroll. And the ACTUAL food certainly doesn't disappoint—think Italian style, with local ingredients at the fore (owner and chef, Yuichi Chikaya, has worked extremely hard to cultivate relationships with local producers. He also has his own onsite vegetable and herb garden). This, combined with warm service and a gorgeous, scenic setting make this a popular spot, so reservations are absolutely essential. 

This one takes its name from chef Tadataka Toeda, who trained in France at not one, but three Michelin-starred restaurants and once competed in Bocuse d'Or, the world's most prestigious cooking competition. As expected, the food here is absolutely incredible, and stays true to Tadataka's fine dining roots (we mean it when we say that these might just be some of the most incredible looking dishes you'll ever see). Behind the artistic presentation lies subtle Japanese flavours derived from regional, in-season ingredients (case in point: the signature Shinshu salmon terrine); complemented by around 100 varietals of wine including both French and local drops. A true treasure of the Karuizawa dining scene. 

For the most exclusive eating out experience in Karuizawa, book yourself into the Karuizawa Forest Seasons. That's because only guests of the hotel (and in fact, only one party at a time) can dine at HONO, a beautifully designed restaurant that looks like it's floating amongst the trees. Here you'll be treated to unrivalled forest views through tremendous floor-to-ceiling windows, alongside exquisite charcoal-grilled cuisine made from locally-sourced ingredients—think slabs of Norwegian salmon topped with lemon and herbs for dinner, followed by grilled, rum-basted pineapple with mascarpone for dessert—paired with natural wines, sake, and Japanese whiskies and gins. 

Good Afternoon—the taproom at KaruizawaQ brewery—is raising the bar when it comes to pub grub. Come expecting polished versions of brewpub faves such as steak and frites, along with chic eats like avocado scallop salad, fresh oysters, and baby corn with truffle. You can even opt for an omakase-style meal for dinner (tell us the last time you heard omakase and taproom in the same sentence). Of course, you can't leave without trying some of KaruizawaQ's freshly brewed beer (the IPA is particularly popular), while there are also several guest brews on tap. Good afternoon, indeed. 

With a name like Trattoria il pinguino, it's fairly obvious what kind of cuisine they serve here (the green, white and red flag hanging out the front is another giveaway). Eat your way through some of Italy's greatest culinary hits including freshly baked bread, hand-rolled pasta and desserts like panna cotta and semifreddo; with plenty of vino (check out the long line of bottles displayed in the window!) to wash it all down. The fact that the menu here is crafted from local ingredients, adds a point of delicious difference. This spot also passes the vibe check, offering all the cosiness of a traditional Italian—right down to the rugs for putting over your lap—paired with warm, European-style hospitality.

KazBond is famous for its burgers, a fact that might seem at odds with the rest of the menu—which looks like it belongs in a fine-dining restaurant—until you take a closer look. These burgers are fancy in their own right, and are fashioned by French-trained Chef Kazuma-san from premium steak, before being cooked over a roaring woodfire to give them a unique smokey flavour. Next up, they're stacked on homemade buns with Nagano highland veggies (including six-hour slow-cooked onions) and homemade honey-mustard mayo. Be warned: the end result is quite literally bigger than your face. A return trip may be required to partake of KazBond's other dishes, which absolutely deserve a spot on your Insta grid (check out their own account to see what we mean).  

No-one does sukiyaki (hot pot) here in Karuizawa better than Wagyu Sukiyaki Soshiji, which actually has another four stores around Japan. Here they use only the finest A5-grade Kuroge Wagyu (basically the cream of the beef crop), coupled with free-range eggs and an exclusive rice blend from eighth-generation rice master Hachidaime Gihey (who knew there was even such a thing?). This spot is all about relaxed, roll-your-sleeves-up type dining (the idea of sukiyaki is that you cook your meat and other ingredients in a bowl of hot broth before dipping in egg, then eating), so is perfect for when you want a breather from all that fine dining. Don't forget to hydrate with a bottle of ice-cold beer. 

Another of Karuizawa's most exclusive spots is Makiyaki Kakehashi, which seats just eight diners a night. Applewood-fired cuisine is the specialty here, inspired by chef/owner Daisuke Maruyama's experience helping apple farmers in the wake of a 2019 typhoon, during which time the damaged trees were repurposed into firewood. Here you'll dine degustation style (expect around 10-12 courses), with Daisuke preparing at least one element from each dish using the restaurant's magnificent open fireplace, before plating it up in truly immaculate fashion. It's likely you'll enjoy his signature sashimi soba, with other dishes known to include Nagano Wagyu beef, unagi, and even a smoke-infused Jersey milk ice cream. Provincial, in-season ingredients are another consideration here (Daisuke has actually been known to forage for his own vegetables!), and not just on the food front, either—we're obsessed with the cocktail featuring local shirakaba white birch sap. 

Karuizawa Ristorante Kobayashi is located inside a cosy, European-style homestead surrounded by countryside. This is a fitting choice by chef/owner Kobayashi Takashi, who studied Roman cuisine for a whopping 25 years, including a couple of stints in Italy itself. Which brings us to the food—Italian, naturally, with Roman-style carbonara, house-smoked Shinshu salmon, and even a fruit pasta (don't knock it 'til you try it) all making regular appearances on the menu. And how's this for a totally random but super fantastico fact: you can bring your pet along with you (conditions apply). Be sure to reserve your spot as this tiny two-seat operation works on a strict reservation-only basis. 

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