• Rondinella, Hillside Cafe with View Overlooking Nagano City

    This cafe’s neighborhood has 4 ceramic art studios and the cafe’s whimsical design and imaginative construction reflect the artistic vibe of the local craftsmen. And the cakes are splendid and the coffee and other drinks top class. And did I mention the view? We actually had front row seats to an afternoon thunder and lightning show today. The location is a bit remote from the city center (one review complained about getting tired just from the drive there) but for us, the drive up through the apple orchards and rice paddies was a refreshing break from urban concrete. Website (Japanese): https://valuet.co.jp/maison-b/rondinella/

    August 3, 2023

  • 5 Platinum Medal Winners at the 2022 France Sake Concourse

    Congratulations to Obasute Masamune, Endo Brewery and the others, a total of 5 Platinum Medal winners at the 2022 France Sake Concourse. https://kuramaster.com/search/fr/sake/n4935717660611

    November 10, 2022

  • Fresh Vegetable Udon Dish in Onsen Town

      This amazing Udon dish has just released at a local restaurant MAIZURU in Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen Town in Chikuma City, Nagano. This city is known as a  place of producing wheat, the both of rice and wheat are grown in the same field because of the unique climate and abundant water.   The Vegetable Udon dish is served in the green seasons.  The noodles are quite thin like pasta. The Sauce is based on egg. You should mix with the local Miso paste including garlic, sesame oil, dried shrimp, and pour on the dish. All these vegetables are amazingly cut by hands!  Boiled soybeans on the top are also delicious. Some vitamins, proteins, and good quality oil are balancedly scattered.   See google map

    April 10, 2017

  • Kuze Fuku & Co., Karuizawa Store

    written by Robert Japanese Gourmet Store Kuze Fuku & Co. is a rapidly growing producer of a variety of traditional and contemporary Japanese foods. Much of their products consist of bottled oils, dressings or sauces, as well as package dried ingredients for use in cooking at home. They also have rice, pickled vegetables, fish and more. Kuze Fuku also makes their own gelato in a variety of flavors to enjoy following your shopping experience. All other products can be safely wrapped as needed to stow in your checked luggage on your return. Be sure to confirm the expiration date to ensure what you’ve purchased will still be edible after your trip. Try their wakame soup! It is a dried soup mix requiring only boiled water. It’s delicious! Karuizawa Store  1178-232 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi (長野県北佐久郡軽井沢町軽井沢1178-232)  Summer Hours 9:00-21:00, Winter Hours 10:00-19:00  Tel (0267) …

    March 30, 2017

  • St. Cousair Winery, Karuizawa Store

    written by Robert St. Cousair Winery is a well-known local producer of fine wines, jams and sauces. Based in the present day town of Iizuna in northern Nagano Prefecture, St. Cousair also operates a network of shops that can currently be found in 27 prefectures nationwide. Their Karuizawa store is duty free and presents the customer with plentiful opportunities to taste test the varieties of wines, jams and other products available. Wines are produced entirely from domestically grown grapes, mainly from Nagano and Hokkaido. Grape varieties raised by St. Cousair in their orchards include Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. All products can be properly wrapped for safe stowing in your checked luggage for your return trip. St. Cousair Winery Karuizawa Store, 1178-232 Karuizawa Shopping Plaza New West, Karuizawa, Nagano Pref. (長野県北佐久郡軽井沢町軽井沢1178-232 軽井沢ショッピングプラザニューウェスト内)  Hours 10:00-19:00 (365 days/year)  …

    March 30, 2017

  • Karuizawa’s Popular ‘SAWAYA’ Jam, Since 1952

    written by Junko   Once you’ve tried SAWAYA strawberry jam, you can’t stop.  It’s as flavorful as freshly picked berries.   All products are made by locally-grown fruits.  SAWAYA started the factory in 1952 in Karuizawa which is a famous resort area among westerners. It takes just one hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen.  http://www.sawaya-jam.com/index.html   SAWAYA operates five shops and a factory in Karuizawa area, and one shop in Nagano Station. All locations provide tax-free shopping. The photos are taken at the shopping mall adjacent to Nagano Station. NAGANO MIDORI 長野市南千歳1-22-6 MIDORI長野店2F    TEL 026-219-6140 Open 9:00〜20:00     Karuizawa BYPASS 軽井沢バイパス店 〒389-0111 長野県北佐久郡軽井沢町塩沢702 TEL 0267-46-2400/FAX 0267-46-2404 営業時間 9:00~18:00(longer in the summer) Post-town Karuizawa/ Tea room 旧軽井沢店/喫茶サロン 〒389-0102 長野県北佐久郡軽井沢町軽井沢746-1 TEL・FAX 0267-42-8411 Open 9:00~18:00(longer in the summer) Post-town Karuizawa Rotary 旧軽ロータリー店 〒389-0102 長野県北佐久郡軽井沢町軽井沢811-2 TEL・FAX 0267-42-0050 Open 9:00~18:00(longer in the summer) New Karuizawa 新軽井沢店 〒389-0104 長野県北佐久郡軽井沢町軽井沢東1178 …

    March 26, 2017

  • Nagano’s Premier Sake at Cella MASUMI

    written by Tyler Masumi, located near the shores of Lake Suwa, is arguably Nagano Prefecture’s most famous sake.  The elegant shop adjacent to their brewery is great way to introduce yourself to the world of Japanese rice wine, as well as purchase some Tax-Free to take back with you. Cella MASUMI (セラ マスミ) 1-16 Motomachi, Suwa City, Nagano Pref. 392-8686 (諏訪市元町1-16) Tel:+81(0)266-52-6161 More info from Unique Nagano Masumi’s Official Site.

    March 18, 2017

  • Original “American Casual” Fashion at Dessert Hill’s Market

    written by Tyler Desset Hill’s Market features “American Casual” fashion designed in Nagano by The Flat Head and made by skilled Japanese craftsmen with sturdy Japanese materials in Kojima, Japan’s denim Mecca.  Adored by celebrities, The Flat Head jeans, t-shirts, leather goods, etc. are available here Tax-Free! Dessert Hill’s Market Nagano (デザートヒルズマーケット長野店) 572-2 Azafukuouji Komori, Shinonoi, Nagano City 388-8003  (長野県長野市篠ノ井小森字福王子572-2) Tel:026-292-0101 Official Webite  

    March 17, 2017

  • Household Goods “Living Port NABETA”

    Living Port NABETA リビングポートナベタ鍋太金物店 Written by Tyler Located in Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada within walking distance from Togura Station on the Shinano Railway line, Nabeta is a family-run mini home center. If you are searching for a particular Japanese cooking utensil or carpentry tool, chances are Nabeta will have it or can order it for you. From obscure cast iron pots and soba-making equipment to specialized cutlery, they are a treasure trove of Japanese household goods. The owner, Imai-san, went to college in the States and can answer your inquiries in English. (His wife speaks Russian!). And his store is registered as a tax-free shop for overseas visitors. Imai-san showing one of many of the specialty utensils they carry, a cutting board for making soba noodles. Fine Japanese cutlery, too. Engraving to order is available. Wide selection of Japanese garden and carpentry tools …

    February 21, 2017