From October 30 to November 20, 2026, Kera-ike Skating Rink in the Karuizawa Hoshino Area, surrounded by the forests of Karuizawa, is running a 10th anniversary campaign, "Free Admission and Special Offers for Nagano Residents." To mark a decade since its opening in 2016, the rink is free for Nagano residents for the first two days after opening, and special rates apply through November 20. The rink is described as the earliest-opening outdoor ice rink in Japan (according to the operator's own research), giving Nagano residents a chance for an early "first skate" in the Karuizawa forest just as the autumn leaves reach their peak.
Background
Outdoor skating rinks were once common across Nagano, especially around the Saku and Toshin region and the Suwa region, but their numbers have gradually declined amid global warming and a wider range of leisure options. Against that backdrop, Kera-ike Skating Rink opened in 2016 as a "skating rink where you can feel the forest," and it reaches its 10th anniversary in autumn 2026. The campaign is held in gratitude to Nagano residents, with the hope that they will enjoy the beauty of Shinshu as the seasons shift from autumn to winter by skating here.
Free Admission and Special Rates for Nagano Residents
As a campaign exclusively for Nagano residents, admission is free on the first two days of operation, October 30 and 31, with both the skating fee and skate rental waived. From November 1 to 20, special rates of ¥1,500 for adults and ¥900 for children make it easy to enjoy skating.
Free admission for Nagano residents
- Dates and times: Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (last admission 3:00 PM)
- Eligible visitors: Nagano residents (ID required)
- Price: Free (rental skates included)
Special rates for Nagano residents
- Period: Sunday, November 1 to Friday, November 20, 2026 (closed on Wednesday, November 18)
- Eligible visitors: Nagano residents (ID required)
- Price: Adults ¥1,500 / Children ¥900 (rental skates included)
An Early "First Skate" in the Autumn Foliage
The rink opens at the end of October, when Karuizawa's autumn colors are at their most beautiful. Visitors can enjoy an early "first skate" surrounded by vivid maples and larches. Because the season's serious cold has not yet arrived, it is comfortable to spend time outdoors, making it a good time of year for people who are not used to skating. Combining autumn foliage with ice activities, the experience is one that can only be had in Karuizawa and makes for a memorable outing with family or friends.
From Artificial Ice to Natural Winter Ice
Kera-ike Skating Rink is adjacent to the Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest and uses water flowing out of the forest. At opening, the rink starts with about one-third of the pond frozen by a cooling system. As winter deepens, from late December to early January, the skating area expands and visitors can skate on natural ice frozen by the cold. The changing look of the ice with the seasons is part of the rink's appeal.
Kera-ike Skating Rink Details
- Period: October 30, 2026 to March 7, 2027 (planned)
- Closed: November 18, 2026, and February 24 and 25, 2027
- Hours: October 30 to November 20: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (last admission 3:00 PM)
- Location: Karuizawa Hoshino Area (Hoshino, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano)
- Opened: 2016 (10th anniversary in autumn 2026)
- Regular admission: Adults from ¥1,900 / Children from ¥1,300 (rental skates included)
- Notes:
- The operating period and hours may change, or the rink may close temporarily, depending on the weather.
- Gloves are required when skating (available on-site for ¥400).
- Phone: 0267-45-7777 (Picchio)
- Official website: https://www.hoshino-area.jp/kera-ike-icerink/
Getting There
The Karuizawa Hoshino Area (Hoshino, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano 389-0194) is about 15 minutes by car from Karuizawa Station on the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen, or about 20 minutes by local bus from the station's north exit.
