Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa (Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture; General Manager: Yuko Kageyama) is preparing for another hot summer by opening a summer snow play area and hosting evening events, among other offerings, to propose a range of "cool escape" experiences unique to a highland resort.
Summer Snow Play Area "Karupuri Snow Land" Opens This Summer
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's warm-season outlook (released February 24, 2026), this summer is expected to see warmer-than-average air across the country, with temperatures generally running above normal. Last year was the hottest summer on record, marking a third consecutive year of extreme heat, and demand for leisure trips to cooler destinations is expected to rise further once the rainy season ends. In Karuizawa, where last July and August's average high was about 28°C — roughly 6°C cooler than central Tokyo — the resort is offering experiences designed to help visitors stay cool through what's expected to be a harsh summer.
Against the backdrop of recent climate shifts, Prince Hotel Karuizawa Ski Resort has newly opened "Karupuri Snow Land" this summer, a snow play area built on the snowmaking technology and operational know-how the resort has developed as an artificial-snow ski slope. Adapting the artificial snowmaking machines used for winter ski operations, the area can maintain a steady supply of snow even in the high outside temperatures of summer. Combined with Karuizawa's cool climate at roughly 1,000 meters above sea level, it offers the unusual, refreshingly cool experience of "touching snow in the height of summer."
In addition, Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa is proposing "cool escape" activities as a new summer leisure option for the current era of extreme heat, including "Karupuri Mist" — mist generated by running artificial snowmaking machines — evening events and programs for enjoying cool nights, and chilled seasonal dishes.
Summer's Cool Experience: "Karupuri Snow Land" Overview
■Karupuri Snow Land
As a new initiative this summer, the resort has drawn on the snowmaking technology unique to an artificial-snow ski area to open a snow play area inside the ski resort's Snow House, offering a cool space of about 100㎡ where visitors can play in the snow even in the height of summer.
Period: Every day through Sunday, August 30, 2026, then weekends and holidays from Saturday, September 5 through Sunday, September 27 (also open Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25)
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (last entry 3:00 PM)
Price: 1-hour admission — ¥2,000 for adults / ¥1,500 for children (age 3 through elementary school) / free for children under 3. Full-day admission — ¥5,000 for adults / ¥4,000 for children (age 3 through elementary school) / free for children under 3
Location: Inside the Snow House, Prince Hotel Karuizawa Ski Resort
Children of elementary school age or younger must be accompanied by a guardian.
Inquiries: TEL 0267-42-5588 (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
"Cool Escape" Activities
■Karupuri Mist
Snowmaking machines essential to grooming the winter ski slopes are run at four locations, including the mountain summit. Standing in front of these giant, fan-like machines and letting the wind and mist wash over you can lower the perceived temperature by roughly 4°C or more, delivering a refreshingly cool feeling that's especially welcome in summer.
Period: Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time: Three times daily — 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM (about 5 minutes each)
Price: Free to participate
Location: Prince Hotel Karuizawa Ski Resort summit, as well as the Ski Center, East, and West areas
Traveling to the summit requires a separate Sky Journey Lift fare. Round-trip lift fare: from ¥2,500 per person / from ¥1,500 for ages 4 through elementary school / free for children under 4.
Inquiries: TEL 0267-42-5588 (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Evening Events and Programs for Cool Nights
Even at the height of summer, morning and evening temperatures in Karuizawa drop below 20°C, making the resort even more comfortable after sunset. A variety of events and programs let visitors enjoy the long summer evenings.
■Sunset & Night Sky Journey Lift
Take a nighttime aerial ride up to the summit of Prince Hotel Karuizawa Ski Resort. At the top, the "Summer Vacation Stargazing Event" lets both adults and children observe constellations and celestial bodies while hearing stories about the stars.
Period: Tuesday, August 11 (public holiday), and Thursday, August 13 – Saturday, August 15, 2026 (4 days total)
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (last ascent 8:30 PM)
Price: ¥3,000 per person / ¥2,000 for ages 4 through elementary school / free for children under 4
Location: West Sky Journey Lift boarding area, Prince Hotel Karuizawa Ski Resort
For details on the Summer Vacation Stargazing Event, please check the official website.
Sunset & Night Sky Journey Lift details
■Night Insect Observation Tour (reservation required)
Visitors tour insect traps set out in the nighttime forest, learning how they work and discovering the various insects they've drawn in. At the end of the tour, participants enter a special area to observe nocturnal beetles up close.
Period: Friday, July 17 – Monday, August 31, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Price: ¥6,500 per parent-and-child pair (¥2,000 for each additional person)
Target: Children ages 4 through elementary school and their guardians
Location: Reception at Nature Kids Forest House
The price includes the experience fee, accident insurance, and consumption tax. Held rain or light rain; canceled in severe weather. On rainy days, the program becomes an indoor guided talk about insects plus observation of the outdoor traps.
Night insect observation tour details
■Picchio Wild Safari Tour (reservation required)
A special tour in which professional guides from Picchio, wildlife experts, help visitors encounter animals in the nighttime forest. Using dedicated lights and a vehicle, the tour searches for animals rarely seen during the day.
Period: Through Saturday, October 31, 2026
Time: July–August: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM / September–October: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: From ¥6,500 for junior high school age and up / from ¥4,500 for ages 4 through elementary school
Target: Ages 4 and up (children through elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian)
Location: Reception at Nature Kids Forest House
Online reservation required by 4:00 PM on the day of the tour.
Picchio Wild Safari Tour details
■Karuizawa 72 Golf "Let's Play! Everyone Gather! Exciting Summer Festival"
The West Course at Karuizawa 72 Golf opens specially for two nights only. Alongside Snag Golf and putter experiences, there are shooting games, super-ball scooping, candy fishing, and festival-style food and drink stalls — fun for adults and children alike, whether they golf or not.
Period: Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Price: Set of 3 tickets ¥1,000 / single ticket ¥500 (cash only)
Location: Karuizawa 72 Golf West Course (Competition Room, Blue Course No. 10)
A shuttle bus runs between Karuizawa Station, Prince Hotel Karuizawa West, and Karuizawa 72 Golf.
Reservations: Advance booking preferred, TEL 0267-48-0072 (Karuizawa 72 Golf reservation desk)
Recommended "Cool Escape" Menus at Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa
■Three Summer Noodle Dishes for Lunch
As part of its "cool escape food" lineup, Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa offers noodle dishes that highlight the appeal of both chilled and hot preparations, letting guests stay refreshed even in the height of summer. Enjoy a meal that lets all five senses feel the coolness of the highlands.
Period: Through Monday, September 7, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM (last order 2:30 PM)
Location: Chinese Restaurant Touri, Prince Hotel Karuizawa West
From left in the photo:
[Cold] Soupless Tantan Mazesoba — ¥3,200 — A dish where the richness of minced meat sauce and nuts layers with fragrant aromas, offering a satisfying mix of texture and umami.
[Cold] Seafood Reimen — ¥4,200 — A refreshing bowl generously topped with seafood, delivering rich summer flavor in every bite.
[Hot] Soy Milk Mala Noodle Soup — ¥3,000 — A bowl where numbing spice meets the gentle richness and smoothness of soy milk — the dish to crave on a hot day.
■"Shiratama Cream Anmitsu"
Enjoy traditional Japanese sweets and drinks at "Japanese Restaurant Karamatsu," set inside a traditional Japanese-style building. This dish combines shiratama rice dumplings, vanilla ice cream, chunky red bean paste, and colorful fruit for a nostalgic taste of a Japanese summer.
Period: Saturday, July 18 – Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM (last order 2:30 PM)
Price: ¥1,800
Location: Japanese Restaurant Karamatsu, Prince Hotel Karuizawa West
■"Blueberry Shaved Ice"
"ALL DAY DINING LOUNGE/BAR Primrose," known for its popular terrace seating in cooler weather, will serve shaved ice. Rich Obuse jersey milk ice cream is layered with delicately shaved ice, then topped with a sweet-and-tart blueberry sauce and smooth yogurt espuma for a light, refreshing treat.
Period: Saturday, July 18 – Monday, September 7, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Price: ¥1,500
Location: ALL DAY DINING LOUNGE/BAR Primrose, Prince Hotel Karuizawa West
Restaurant inquiries: TEL 0267-42-1111 (Prince Hotel Karuizawa restaurant reservation desk)
All listed prices include consumption tax; dining in the restaurants incurs an additional 13% service charge. Food allergy accommodations are limited to the eight legally designated allergens (shrimp, crab, walnut, wheat, buckwheat, egg, milk, and peanut) — guests who need this accommodation should let staff know in advance.
