Recommended Events for Spring Golden Week in Karuizawa

It’s springtime!

Karuizawa’s long, cold winter is finally over, and spring has arrived!

Recently, the pleasant spring and autumn seasons have been getting shorter, so I want to fully enjoy this precious time of year…

I wonder if there are any fun events?

So, I’d like to introduce some events in Karuizawa that you can enjoy with your children during Golden Week!

Karuizawa Atashi Kitchen

Atashi Kitchen has been held on the fourth Saturday of each month since 2017.

The parent organization is Food Bank Karuizawa, and this activity was started by Yoko Komiyama, former Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

I’ll introduce Ms. Komiyama in more detail in another article♪

Atashi Kitchen in Karuizawa is held in the large Japanese-style room of the Karuizawa Community Center, and is open to everyone, not just children.

Volunteers cook and serve food using ingredients collected by Food Bank Karuizawa.

Children are free. Adults are only 300 yen!

It’s not a case of everyone eating together at the same time, but rather a style where you can come and eat freely within a two-hour period.

I’ve visited twice myself, inviting my children and friends.

Many volunteers were preparing a large amount of food in the kitchen.

The meals were well-balanced, including salad, side dishes, a main course, soup, rice, and dessert, and were very filling. The food was delicious, of course, and above all, you could feel the warmth of homemade cooking.

Many local elderly people, as well as families with young children, were there, and I felt that this was an activity loved by the community.

At the end, we were even given lots of souvenirs—food with short expiration dates donated to Food Bank Karuizawa—with the words, “Take as much as you like!” We went home with full hearts and stomachs.

Among the souvenirs were baby jelly, barley tea bags, and baby food!

Since it’s a tatami room, it’s safe even with a baby.

April is Saturday the 25th, so if you’re starting your Golden Week early, please come and visit!

【Atashi Kitchen】
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Location: Karuizawa Town Central Community Center
2353-1 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano Prefecture 389-0111 (10-minute walk from Kitakaruizawa Station North Exit)
Admission: Free for children. 300 yen/person for adults
Parking: Available

Karuizawa Kutsukake Marche

Kutsukake Marche is a market event featuring approximately 26 stalls selling German sandwiches, galettes made with Shinshu wheat, oyaki (stuffed dumplings), vegan sweets, food trucks, craft goods, pet supplies, and more!

Admission is free, and there will be stalls selling local specialties and individual craftspeople.

You might have a wonderful encounter unique to a market where exhibitors and participants are close!

Incidentally, there will also be a performance by “Naoya-man,” who currently serves as a university lecturer and director of the community hall in Saku City. Naoya-man’s clothes, accessories, and even his car are all pink, and he has a mohawk, so
even those who don’t know him will probably recognize him immediately (lol).

Date: April 29, 2026 (Wednesday, National Holiday)
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Kutsukake Plaza, North Exit of Nakakaruizawa Station, Shinano Railway (3037-18 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano Prefecture)
Contents: German sandwiches, galettes made with Shinshu wheat, oyaki, vegan sweets
Food trucks, craft goods, pet supplies, etc.
*Kutsukake Terrace Concerts will also be held simultaneously (11:00 AM, 1:30 PM)♪

Karuizawa Picchio Forest

Picchio Children’s Adventure Club Golden Week will be held!

At Picchio Forest in the Hoshino Resort area of ​​Karuizawa, nature watching tours* are held throughout the year according to the season, but during Golden Week, a special experience tour for children will be held.

*This refers to a nature watching tour where you can observe various creatures while walking through the Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest. It’s a 2-kilometer walking course enjoyable for everyone from young children to seniors.

The Picchio Children’s Adventure Club Golden Week offers an experience where you can explore animal trails, cook rice in mess tins in the forest, and go birdwatching… It’s sure to be an experience where you can fully engage all your senses and experience nature!

【Picchio Children’s Adventure Club Golden Week】

Dates: May 2nd-6th, 2026
Cost: 16,500 yen (tax included), lunch included
Target: Elementary school students
*Reservations required

Children’s Concert at Karuizawa Ohga Hall

Ohga Hall is the only music hall in Karuizawa.

It’s said to have been named Ohga Hall because it was built with a donation from the former Sony chairman’s retirement fund.

A children’s concert is held there every year during Golden Week.

I went to the concert on May 5th, 2024!
It was held in the morning, and since concerts that even infants (0 years old) can attend are rare, I was very grateful for the opportunity.

To keep the children entertained, the program wasn’t just about listening; there were interactive activities like finger plays and opportunities for the children to go on stage, making it a fun experience for everyone in the venue!
Even when my child got fussy, I could hear crying and laughing from other children all around, so I remember being able to enjoy the live music without feeling pressured to be quiet!

This year, Daisuke Yokoyama, a former singer from the children’s program “Okaasan to Issho,” was the special guest!!
This sounds like an event that the children (and their mothers? lol) will absolutely love.

This year it was held in the afternoon, right around nap time, so I really hope they improve it next year… (Tears)

【Salon Orchestra Japan Concert for Ages 0 and Up】
Special Guest: Daisuke Yokoyama
Date & Time: May 4, 2026 (Mon) Doors open 13:30 (scheduled),
performance starts 14:00
Location: Karuizawa Ohga Hall, 7-minute walk from Karuizawa Station
Target Audience: Ages 0 and up (tickets required for ages 3 and up, ages 0-2 can sit on a parent’s lap)
Price: Adults (Junior high school age and older) 4,000 yen, Children (Elementary school age and younger) 1,000 yen
Content: A chamber music concert for parents and children to enjoy. Includes instrument experience and participation through clapping.

Karuizawa T-SITE

Karuizawa T-SITE is a commercial facility that just opened in March 2026.

It’s directly connected to the north exit of Karuizawa Station, and the famous I’m dognut? will undoubtedly be crowded!

There’s often a long line before the store even opens, and by the time you finally get inside, the selection is so limited you barely have a chance to choose.
Be prepared! (lol)

Besides I’m dognut?, other shops include Shozo Coffee and Dashi-OKume, where you can customize your own dashi pack to create a one-of-a-kind product.

Incidentally, Shozo Coffee only offers hot coffee here… (Unfortunately)

If you have the time, I recommend the Common Grounds location, which boasts a lovely location and stylish atmosphere where you can enjoy light meals and lattes!

That’s all for our “Recommended Events for Spring Golden Week in Karuizawa!”

Have a wonderful Golden Week everyone!