I visited “Roppontsuji Sarou Cadeau du komorevi” in Karuizawa!
It opened on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Roppontsuji intersection in Karuizawa.
It is a lovely café nestled in the woods near the Roppontsuji intersection ✨
The more you learn about it, the more you’ll want to visit for breakfast, lunch, café time, or dinner! 🎶
Plus, dogs are welcome on the terrace and in certain areas inside the shop!
So, let me introduce the recommended menu items at Roppontsuji Sarou Cadeau du komorevi, along with some tips for your visit and how to make a reservation.
How do you call “Karuizawa Roppontsuji Sarou Cadeau du komorevi”? Is it “Kado”?
First, let’s cover the pronunciation.
It is pronounced “Kado du Komorebi”!
The name “Cadeau du komorevi” translates to “Gift of Sunlight Filtering Through the Trees” (komorebi), reflecting the desire to create a space where guests can relax and feel close to nature.
It is located in a villa area facing the Roppontsuji intersection (a roundabout), just a short distance from Karuizawa’s famous Kumoba Pond.
The surrounding area features a variety of cafés, ranging from relatively new lakeside spots to long-established shops run by elderly owners.
A great feature for Karuizawa—a popular destination for dog owners—is that you can enjoy a meal with your dog not only on the terrace but also in designated areas inside the café (welcoming large, medium, and small dogs alike)! The shop is truly devoted to dogs, featuring an on-site dog run and offering treats like dog-friendly scones.
【Karuizawa Roppontsuji Saro: Cadeau du komorevi】
Address: 1323-20 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano 389-0102
Phone: 0267-31-6818
Access: Approx. 13–15 minute walk from the North Exit of Karuizawa Station (JR/Shinano Railway lines); parking available (5 spaces).
Reservations: Bookings for breakfast and lunch can be made via the website; for dinner, please reserve via Instagram DM or email (cadeau.karuizawa@gmail.com).
Payment: Credit cards and electronic money accepted.
Dogs: Allowed on the terrace and in designated indoor areas; dog run and paw-washing station available.
High chairs: Available.
Signature “French Boule” and Meal Menu
The shop is famous for its fluffy “French Boule” and dishes featuring an abundance of local ingredients.
The signature “French Boule” is a sweet-and-savory sandwich made from an original round French bread; it is grilled like French toast and filled with ingredients such as bacon or shrimp tartar.
It is popular for its delicious texture—crisp and aromatic on the outside, yet wonderfully fluffy on the inside.
When I visited, there were only two left by 11:30 AM, so I hurriedly placed my order. That was the last of the French Boule for the lunch service that day.
A customer who arrived later let out a disappointed “Oh no!” upon learning that the French Boule bread was sold out (so sorry!).
Here is the menu for today’s lunch, including drinks and the French Boule options ↓↓
First came the appetizer: a kale salad topped with root vegetables.
Then, the warm vegetable dish: grilled vegetables (eggplant, burdock root, carrot, and sweet potato) served over meat sauce—I wonder what the official name of this dish is?
Both dishes featured plenty of vegetables and had a gentle flavor that allowed the natural taste of the ingredients to shine through.
These two dishes alone left me feeling satisfied—both emotionally and physically—so I waited for the main course with excitement♪
For the main course, I ordered the salmon meunière.
The tartar sauce contained herbs and vegetables I wouldn’t normally use myself, giving it a sophisticated flavor profile (it might not appeal to children, though—haha).
My husband ordered the chicken thigh confit; the skin was crispy, and the meat was incredibly juicy!
A generous half-chicken was served per person, making for a truly impressive presentation.
The plating was stylish and really whetted the appetite…
On top of that, we couldn’t resist ordering one French Boule each; they were fluffy and delicious, though we ended up absolutely stuffed! Haha.
DSC_2593
Carefully prepared food really nourishes the soul, doesn’t it?
It was a wonderful meal☆
By the way, for the dog-friendly terrace seating on the wooden deck, a large, chic slate-gray awning has been installed so you can relax and enjoy your meal in comfort—rest assured!
The Story Behind the Opening of Karuizawa Roppontsuji Saro “Cadeau du komorebi”
Finally, before leaving the shop, I had a quick chat with the owner.
Since the food was so delicious, I asked where he had trained before opening the restaurant.
His answer was, “Actually, I didn’t train anywhere.”
“Wait, what do you mean?!”
It feels almost unfair that they can serve such delicious food without having undergone formal culinary training! (Haha)
To summarize the owner’s story…
・He had always worked in front-of-house service and only started serving food three years ago.
・He actually wanted to run a café.
・But things just sort of evolved, and it ended up becoming a proper restaurant that serves full meals.
There are so many amusing little quirks to the story.
I was fascinated and intrigued by this unexpected turn of events.
In addition to running the shop, he organizes “Yama-asogi,” an event where people can enjoy hiking with their dogs.
With features like a dog-friendly section inside, a dog run, and paw-print stamps on the loyalty card, his love for dogs is abundantly clear.
However, I want to hear more from the owner—who seriously told me, “In life, things just happen as they happen”—and I’ve already gone ahead and signed up for a loyalty card. So, I’ve decided to visit again to try the freshly fried donuts I missed out on and to chat more with the owner! ♪
About the intersection/roundabout where “Karuizawa Roppontsuji Saro Cadeau du Komorebi” is located (Drive carefully!)
By the way, the “roundabout” (circular intersection) at Roppontsuji might be an unfamiliar sight for those from the Kanto region, so I’d like to introduce it and share some tips on how to drive through it safely.
A roundabout is an intersection without traffic lights where vehicles travel clockwise around a circular road to exit in their desired direction.
In recent years, they have been increasingly adopted in Japan due to their benefits regarding safety, traffic flow, and disaster resilience/cost-efficiency.
1. Improved safety (significant reduction in serious accidents)
The biggest advantage is the dramatic reduction in the accident rate within the intersection, particularly regarding serious accidents.
・Fewer collision points (points of intersection).
Compared to a standard four-way intersection, the number of points where vehicles could potentially collide is drastically reduced (dropping from about 32 points to 8).・Speed Control
Entering the intersection requires navigating a sharp physical curve, naturally forcing all vehicles to slow down (to 20 km/h or less).
・Prevention of Head-on and Right-Angle Collisions
Since all traffic moves in the same direction (clockwise), the most dangerous types of accidents—head-on collisions and right-angle collisions involving right turns—are eliminated.
2. Smoother Traffic Flow (Elimination of Waiting Times)
The absence of traffic lights allows for dramatically smoother traffic flow during periods or situations with low traffic volume.
・Elimination of Unnecessary Waiting
It eliminates the stress of waiting at a red light at an empty intersection during late-night hours or times of low traffic.
・Ease of Making U-Turns
If a driver takes a wrong turn, they can safely and easily make a U-turn simply by circling the intersection once.
3. Contributions to Disaster Resilience, Maintenance Costs, and the Environment (Economic and Eco-friendly)
Resilient against power outages and requiring no maintenance costs, they offer numerous benefits for local governments and the environment.
・Disaster Resilience (Unaffected by Power Outages)
Since they do not rely on traffic signals, intersection functionality remains intact even during power outages caused by earthquakes or typhoons, making them effective for evacuation and supply transport routes.
・Reduced Maintenance Costs
There are no costs associated with electricity for traffic lights, bulb replacements, or routine maintenance.
・Environmental Consideration (Reduced Exhaust and Noise)
By reducing the need for complete stops (waiting for lights) and subsequent rapid acceleration, fuel efficiency improves, leading to lower exhaust emissions, reduced CO2 output, and less engine noise.
However, there are also points to consider regarding their implementation.
Unsuitable for Areas with Extremely High Traffic Volume
If there is a constant stream of vehicles entering the roundabout, the queue of cars waiting to enter can grow long, potentially causing traffic congestion (they are best suited for intersections with moderate traffic volume).
Requires a Large Site
Because a circular island (central island) must be constructed in the middle, a larger land area is required compared to a standard four-way intersection.
Confusion for Unfamiliar Drivers
Drivers unaccustomed to the rule that “vehicles already inside the roundabout have the right of way” may feel confused about how to enter or when to signal (specifically, using the left turn signal just before exiting).
Since the 2014 legal amendment regarding roundabout regulations, about 140 of them have been installed across Japan.
Nagano Prefecture ranks third in the country for the number of installations; I personally spotted two in Karuizawa, including this specific roundabout.
As mentioned in the list of downsides, if you aren’t used to them, you might hesitate at first about how to enter and navigate the intersection…
“Wait, am I allowed to go in here…? When exactly should I enter?!”
The “Roppontsuji Saro Cadeau du Komorevi” is located right on the corner of the Roppontsuji intersection, so the route involves entering the roundabout and then immediately making a turn.
Please drive calmly and slowly as you navigate the intersection and turn into the parking lot entrance.
It’s a wonderful, tucked-away spot—perfect for brunch after a stroll around Kumoba Pond or for a lunch in Karuizawa with your dog!
That wraps up our look at “Roppontsuji Saro Cadeau du Komorevi in Karuizawa: Enjoy French-style *boule* bread and fresh, hot donuts with your dog!”
コメント