Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa, in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, is rolling out a series of stay experiences that capture the character of autumn in Karuizawa this year, under its fall 2026 theme, "First Glowing Karuizawa."
In Karuizawa, where autumn arrives and deepens earlier than in central Tokyo, the resort is holding programs built around that head start: a night ski-lift ride paired with moon viewing, an autumn stargazing gathering, and a guided forest tour paired with a birdhouse-building experience. Making use of the ski slope and lift just before the season opens, the resort runs a nighttime "Moonlit Lift Ride" that carries guests to the summit to view the harvest moon — an experience possible only because the resort operates its own Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort. In the "Birdhouse-Building Workshop," guests walk through the forest with a guide to learn about the birds that live there before building a birdhouse of their own, drawing on the resort's rich natural surroundings to deepen guests' connection with, and understanding of, nature. And with today's rising cost of living in mind, some events — including the "Moon and Star Viewing Gathering & Bonfire Talk Night" and the "Night Bird Talk & Campfire Marshmallows" — are offered free of charge to overnight guests, so they can enjoy an experience on the road without hesitation.
Drawing on the mix of nature, food, and activities found at Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa, the resort is proposing an autumn in Karuizawa whose appeal opens up further when guests stay the night.
Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa's Autumn-Only Experiences
- Ride the night ski lift to the summit and take in the harvest moon on the "Moonlit Lift Ride"
- Stroll the autumn forest and watch over next spring's nesting birds with a sustainable "Birdhouse-Building Workshop"
- Join a free "Moon and Star Viewing Gathering" or "Night Bird Talk," offered to overnight guests even amid today's rising cost of living
- Get out and enjoy Karuizawa with the "Enjoy Ticket" getaway plan, covering cycling, hot springs, and sightseeing spots
Autumn-Only Experiences
Birdhouse-Building Workshop
Ahead of winter, this hands-on workshop lets guests build birdhouses for the wild birds that begin nesting in the forest each spring. After a guided tour with wildlife experts from Picchio to observe the birdlife living on the hotel grounds, guests build their own birdhouse. The finished birdhouses are installed in the resort's forest, making this a sustainable program that lets guests watch over the birds that raise their young there the following spring.
Dates: September 21 (Mon, holiday) and October 12 (Mon, holiday), 2026
Time: 8:30 AM–10:30 AM (check-in from 8:15 AM)
Location: Karuizawa Prince Hotel West
Price: ¥7,000 per group (birdhouse materials included)
Program: Guided walk, birdhouse-building experience
Reservations: Online reservation required by the day before the event; up to 6 groups per day
Perk: Guests who donate their finished birdhouse receive a lunch voucher (for one) at Karuizawa Prince Hotel West's "ALL DAY DINING LOUNGE/BAR Primrose" as a thank-you for the donation.
Guests may also choose to take their birdhouse home instead.
Moonlit Lift Ride
The day after the mid-autumn harvest moon, the "Moonlit Lift Ride" carries guests up the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort's ski slope to the summit to take in the moon and stars. Riding the night lift from the base to the summit feels like an airborne stroll, ending in a view of the beautiful autumn moon. At the summit, Picchio guides also lead a "Moon and Star Viewing Gathering & Bonfire Talk Night," and tsukimi dango (moon-viewing dumplings) are served free of charge.
Date: September 26 (Sat), 2026
Time: 6:30 PM–9:00 PM (last ride up at 8:30 PM)
Price: Junior high school age and up: ¥2,500 / Ages 4 through elementary school: ¥1,500 / Under 4: free / Dogs: free (please bring a carrier and leash)
Location: Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, Soratabi Lift (空旅リフト) station
Reservations: Not required
The lift is suspended in bad weather; on the day of the event, updates are posted on the website from 3:30 PM.
Moon and Star Viewing Gathering & Bonfire Talk Night
Held to coincide with the harvest moon, this gathering pairs moon viewing with a Picchio-guided stargazing session, followed by an evening around the bonfire roasting marshmallows — a quintessential Karuizawa night. It takes place at several spots around Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa where the moon and stars are visible. On September 26 (Sat), tsukimi dango are also served free of charge.
Dates and times:
- ① September 19 (Sat), 2026 — Session 1: 7:00 PM / Session 2: 8:00 PM
- ② September 25 (Fri), 2026 — Session 1: 7:00 PM / Session 2: 8:00 PM
- ③ September 26 (Sat), 2026 — Session 1: 7:00 PM / Session 2: 8:00 PM
Location:
- ① Karuizawa Prince Hotel West, "Banquet Terrace KURUMI"
- ② Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel
- ③ Summit of Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort (in bad weather, held at "Banquet Terrace KURUMI" instead)
Price: Free
Eligibility: ① and ② are open only to overnight guests of Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa; ③ is also open to outside guests, but requires riding the Moonlit Lift.
Reservations: Not required
Night Bird Talk & Campfire Marshmallows
Picchio guides explain the habits of nocturnal birds and other wildlife found around Karuizawa; afterward, guests head outside to gather around a bonfire and roast marshmallows, rounding out a long autumn evening.
Date: October 11 (Sun), 2026
Time: Session 1: 7:00 PM / Session 2: 8:00 PM
Location: Karuizawa Prince Hotel West, "Banquet Terrace KURUMI"
Price: Free
Eligibility: Overnight guests of Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa only
Reservations: Not required
All listed prices include tax. Event details are subject to change without notice, and photos are for illustration only.
Autumn Getaway Plan
This plan comes with Enjoy Tickets that guests can use for cycling, golf, hot springs, and other experiences around Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa and nearby sightseeing spots. From dining to sports to visits to partner museums and other attractions, it's a plan built for an autumn trip filled with good food, activity, and art.
Period: October 1 (Thu) – November 28 (Sat), 2026
Included: Room plus 2 Enjoy Tickets
Sample rate: Karuizawa Prince Hotel West, 4-person cottage — from ¥8,878 per person, per night (based on 4 guests sharing one room; accommodation tax not included)
Participating hotels and plan details
Ways to use your Enjoy Tickets
Enjoy Tickets can be used at participating facilities as cash vouchers or activity tickets.
Food
On-site: hotel restaurants and bars, and more
Partner facilities: dining at cafes and restaurants, brewery tours, local sake purchases, and more
Sports
On-site: golf, tennis, pickleball, bicycle rental, and more
Partner facilities: horseback riding, curling experience, and more
Arts & Leisure
On-site: craft workshops, hot spring bathing
Partner facilities: museum and facility admission, workshop experiences, shopping
