Karuizawa Dog Trip - Memories of Summer 2025

Hello, this is haRu*☽.

Before I knew it, the season has completely turned to autumn...

I wanted to record my summer memories here on note as well.
Please let me write down the record of my family trip to Karuizawa♡

This summer, our plans were centered around my second son, who is preparing for entrance exams.

He had summer classes almost every day right from the start of summer vacation, so the only time we could get a solid break was the last week of August.

To match my second son's refresh period, my eldest son, who is now working, also took his summer vacation at the same time, making it our first family stay in Karuizawa in a long while.

In our five-seater car, we had three large men (my husband, eldest son, and second son), myself, and two dogs... It was a bit of a cramped space, but we headed there in high spirits＾＾

Now, I would like to introduce some of the wonderful places we visited in Karuizawa this time, along with photos.

Also, all the places I will introduce are "dog-friendly."

I would be happy if this could serve as a reference for your Karuizawa trip if you have dogs in your family.

🌿MMoP

MMoP, located in Miyota, the town next to Karuizawa.

This was the place I absolutely wanted to visit during this Karuizawa trip.

They have works by artists on display for sale, and photographs on exhibit.

I was able to spend a relaxing time enjoying the greenery, experiencing art, and delighting my five senses.

Since dogs are allowed inside (a key point for me, haha), I, a beginner photographer haRu*☽, also enjoyed taking pictures.

This place... it used to have the Mercian distillery, and it was a place I loved so much that I made sure to visit every year for lunch back then.

But it closed in 2011...

My husband and I often talked about how much we loved Mercian, so I was truly happy to be able to visit this place again, which is full of nostalgic memories, even though it has a different form now.

🌿 Karuizawa Stone Church

This is also one of the places I end up visiting every year.

I used to take pictures of my children here, but in recent years, the dog has been the main star. Haha

You cannot enter during a wedding ceremony, but when there isn't one, you can go inside the church.

There is greenery around the chapel, and water flows quietly down the walls...
It is mystical and fantastical... a space where your heart naturally calms down.

I highly recommend going inside (dogs are not allowed inside the church).

I deeply resonate with the concept of 'non-church Christianity' of this church.

It's not about 'going' to church; it's the idea that everyone has a chapel in their heart and can pray at any time... I feel the same way.

Actions are important, but I feel that the original intention—the 'what kind of feelings are behind doing this'—is even more significant.

If you'd like, the concept of non-church Christianity is also written on their website, so please take a look at that as well ^^

🌿Karuizawa Kogen Church

Since this is just a short walk from the Stone Church, I visit both as a set every year.

This church makes you feel the warmth of wood.

Dogs are not allowed inside the church, but you can spend time together outside.

Why is the greenery in Karuizawa so beautiful?
I really think the highland greenery is different from the trees in my neighborhood.

This is another place where my breathing naturally deepens.

🌿GAFLO CAFÉ

I visited this place for the first time this year.

Last year, I enjoyed a vegan afternoon tea with my dogs at "THE BARN" next to this cafe, so I wanted to go to the cafe side this year＾＾

Both shops are located on the grounds of GATE Flower FIELD.

At "GAFLO CAFÉ," which I visited this year, I had vegan donuts and coffee.

This is a photo I took on the premises.

Both Karuizawa and Miyota Town have many dog-friendly shops and spots, which is wonderful for those traveling with dogs.

Karuizawa has long had many vacation homes, and perhaps because of the background of people visiting to escape the heat with their dogs, there are many places where dogs are welcome too.

🌿pace around

This is a place I happened to learn about during my stay and decided to visit on a whim.

Someone had posted, 'The Basque cheesecake here was the best in the world!', so I thought I'd like to try it too, and that's why I visited.

In the shop, which feels the warmth of wood, you can enjoy interior goods, miscellaneous items, freshly baked bread, and coffee.

Large furniture items like sofas and tables are also for sale.

The additive-free bread made with carefully selected ingredients was delicious.

In the back of the shop, there is a private room where you can spend time with your dog, and we were able to enjoy cafe time together there.

The music playing in the shop was so much to my taste that I couldn't help but ask the staff, 'What song is this?'

They kindly told me the CD that contained the songs they were playing.

These kinds of moments are another great part of traveling🤍

The outside also had a very nice atmosphere.
I asked my girls to be models and took a snap.

Although they handle food products, you can bring your dog inside the shop if you carry them. It's so kind and grateful that they are dog-friendly.

As an aside...

The Karuizawa area still has many places that are welcoming to dogs, but there are also some places that used to allow them but no longer do.

I personally believe it is important for owners to follow etiquette and strive to ensure that both dogs and people can spend time comfortably together.

It was still a period of intense heat in the area where I live...

My whole family was able to cool off in Karuizawa, the dogs were able to enjoy long walks in the sunshine for the first time in a while, and my heart felt fulfilled as well ^^

Oh, that's right, I bought a Toile de Jouy tablecloth at a shop inside MMoP.

I recently changed my dining table to a round white one and had been looking for a tablecloth to match it for a long time, so I was happy to unexpectedly find something ideal ♡

When you are trying and trying to find something, you can't find it, but when you let go and your mind relaxes, it comes to you from the other side... I was happy to have this kind of experience in Karuizawa this time as well.

A time to take deep breaths, touch the energy of nature, and recharge..

It was such a Karuizawa stay where both body and mind could relax 🌿

I want to travel somewhere again in the autumn too~ ♡

haRu*☽

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