5 Best Restaurants in Karuizawa

Sushi Atago is a must-visit for seafood lovers visiting Karuizawa. The small restaurant has counter seating, so you can watch expert chefs preparing your dishes. Communication is all part of the experience, so feel free to share your preferences and ask questions about the food.

Standout dishes include scallops wrapped in seaweed, grilled anago (saltwater eel), torch-roasted squid, rockfish sashimi, and pickled vegetables. The crab sushi with roe is a speciality of the restaurant, as is the delicious Earl Grey ice cream. Ask the chef for a sake recommendation to get the best match for your meal.

Wakadori is an izakaya or informal bar that serves a variety of drinks, snacks and small plates. It's an intimate, friendly eatery run by a local Japanese family. Pull up a stool at the wooden counter to watch the chefs at work, or settle in on one of the plush padded benches for privacy.

Wakadori's best-known dish is yakitori. Here, skewers of meat are grilled over charcoal for a complex, smoky flavour and served with a tangy sauce. Try the asparagus wrapped in chicken, chicken skewers with rice, or the light and tasty tofu salad. The customary drink at an izakaya is beer – Wakadori has several great local choices on tap.

Kasuke is a modern restaurant that has earned its spot on Karuizawa's gastronomic A-list. Dinner here is always kaiseki, a traditional Japanese style of dining that involves multiple courses of small and elaborate dishes. You might find yourself eating local river fish, Japanese peppers, roasted winter radish, or finely sliced beef with soba noodles.

Come for lunch and you'll get your own specially prepared bento box, packed with fresh vegetables and seasonal titbits. The dining room's stunning views of the terraced hill and Yu River complement the food. The restaurant is part of Hoshinoya Resort, so why not combine a meal here with a trip to its onsite onsen (hot springs)?

Sonmin-Shokudo's wide, spacious dining room and floor-to-ceiling windows are great for enjoying Karizawa's beautiful surroundings while you eat. The menu makes excellent use of seasonal ingredients and changes from month to month. Set menus introduce you to a range of current favourites, while its hot pot is great for sharing among a large group.

The salmon rice bowl comes highly recommended, as does the Japanese-style curry and grilled sablefish marinated in white miso paste. Try some of the various types of sake or opt for an alcohol-free cocktail with your meal. Try to bag a corner seat for the best view of the surrounding greenery.

Sajiro Cafe is a must-visit for anyone who likes Indian and Nepalese cuisine. The menu reads like the greatest hits of South Asian dining, including chicken tikka masala, creamy dhal, spinach curry, butter chicken, and cheesy naan. Other outstanding dishes include Nepalese dumplings and deep-fried vegetable pakora.

Opt for a set menu to try a wide variety of soups, curries, naans, and rice. The interior is quaintly decorated with mismatched wicker chairs, rustic painted tables, and little cupboards full of intriguing knick-knacks. If you go in the warmer months, opt for a table at Sajiro Cafe’s charming terrace.