Video introduction of Harunire Terrace "Karuizawa Umbrella Sky" in Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

This video, titled "Hoshino area of Karuizawa | Karuizawa Umbrella Sky 2019"(軽井沢星野エリア｜軽井沢アンブレラスカイ2019), was uploaded by "Hoshino Resorts."

This video shows the 2019 Karuizawa Umbrella Sky event, held every year during Japan's rainy season at Harunire Terrace in the Hoshino area of Karuizawa.

The view of colorful umbrellas floating above the wooden deck connecting the different buildings in the area makes it a popular spot for Japanese Instagrammers.
From June to early July, you can see many photos of the event on Instagram.

This article provides easy-to-understand information about popular events. Be sure to check out the photogenic event in the video.

What is Karuizawa Umbrella Sky?

Photo：Karuizawa Umbrella Sky, Harunire Terrace

Karuizawa Umbrella Sky is an event held in the Hoshino area of Karuizawa, operated by Hoshino Resorts in Karuizawa, Nagano, in Japan's Koshin'etsu region. 2023 will mark the 8th year the event is held. Here, we'll take a look at some things to see during the event.

●Umbrella Arcade
The main attraction of the event is the "Umbrella Arcade" which features more than 100 colorful umbrellas floating above the deck of Harunire Terrace. Soap bubbles can be seen floating through the air three times a day, creating an exciting atmosphere for people of all ages.

"Rainy Art," a pattern that appears on the wooden deck only on rainy days, and the reflection of umbrellas on the wet wooden deck are two more must-see attractions.
[Video] 0:38 - Umbrellas Reflected on the Rainy Wooden Deck

●Bubbles and Umbrella Making Workshops (Held on Weekends)
At the plaza next to "Hoshino Onsen Tombo no Yu" (Hoshino Onsen), bubble blowing workshops and umbrella making workshops are held for children to have fun with their parents.

●Exclusive Seasonal Beverages to Go With Japan's Rainy Season
Drinks inspired by the colorful Karuizawa Umbrella Sky are also sold during the event. The Rainbow-colored Lemonade, a limited-quantity drink from Café Hungry Spot, is filled with colorful jelly and is the perfect drink for the event. Consider purchasing one and snapping some photos of the colorful drink with the lush greenery in the surrounding area.

Karuizawa Umbrella Sky 2023: Event Schedule & Hours

The 2023 Karuizawa Umbrella Sky event schedule is as follows:

Event Period: June 2 - July 9
Hours: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Illumination Hours: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Bubbles: 10:00 am, 4:00 pm, 8:00 pm

The event will be held at Harunire Terrace, a facility with a variety of restaurants and lifestyle stores in the Hoshino area of Karuizawa.

The event is a great way to beat the blues brought on by Japan's rainy season, so definitely consider checking it out.

Things to Do at Harunire Terrace at Karuizawa Hoshino Resorts

Photo：Karuizawa Umbrella Sky at night

Harunire Terrace was named after the more than 100 Harunire (Japanese elm) trees that used to grow in the area. There are restaurants, cafes, sweets, and lifestyle & relaxation stores, all connected via a wooden deck.

You can see a video of Harunire Terrace after the sun sets in the video.
[Video] 0:47 - Harunire Terrace at Night

You can enjoy shopping or even just window shopping at the various shops in the area, all the while enjoying Karuizawa Umbrella Sky, or just relax and enjoy a meal or tea time at a café. Pets are welcome on the terrace as well, so it's not uncommon to see people with their dogs.

Before visiting Harunire Terrace, we recommend checking to see if there are any events being held in the area when you're planning on visiting. Harunire Terrace hosts the Umbrella Sky during the rainy season in Japan (early June to mid-July), illuminations around Christmas, and Halloween-related events in autumn.

In addition, there are many trendy shops and specialty stores to browse, so you might consider making a list of the shops you want to take a look at before visiting if you have limited time.

Restaurants, Cafes, and Souvenir Shops at Harunire Terrace

Photo：Chairs at Harunire Terrace, Karuizawa

Harunire Terrace features 16 restaurants, cafes, and other eateries, as well as furniture and even souvenir shops.

Sawamura is a bakery/restaurant that is popular on Japanese social media. They offer takeout, but many people sit in for lunch. The pasta lunch comes with delicious bread, and the juicy hamburgers are to die for!

After grabbing some lunch, you can relax on the terrace and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee from Maruyama Coffee. There's also a bookstore attached to the restaurant, so you can relax while reading.

Kawakamian is known for its delicious soba noodles as well as shrimp tempura, etc. If you visit the restaurant in the evening, consider indulging in some delicious sake with various dishes, such as grilled duck and their tasty pork tatsuta-age (a marinated, fried pork dish).

MORIASOBI is a shop that sells furniture and sundries, but it also serves meals and is open for tea time. We recommend trying the hot chocolate here, a popular drink on Japanese Instagram, which is made with foamed milk and melted chocolate.

Izumiya (和泉屋) is a great shop for souvenirs and is popular for its delicious Japanese- and Western-style confections. The cheesecake, called "Hanjuku Cake," has an irresistible soufflé-like texture. The shop also offers a lineup of cute products for sale.

Other Things to Do in Karuizawa

Here are a few places to check out in the Karuizawa area:

Karuizawa Shiraito Falls
From Nakakaruizawa Station, the closest station to Harunire Terrace, you can take a train to Karuizawa Station. From there, there are regularly schedules buses that will take you to the Shiraito no Taki Bus Stop (白糸の滝). It's an approximately 25-minute bus ride to the base of the trail, and then a 5-10-minute hike to the waterfall itself.

Hours: Open 24 hours. ※Shops at the base of the trail: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Some shops may be closed in the case of inclement weather)
Admission Fee: Free

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
An outlet mall at Karuizawa Station with a number of shops, cafes, and restaurants selling everything from brand-name goods like Prada to snowboarding gear, such as Burton. The plaza features a large pond at its center making it feel like a Japanese strolling pond garden.

Hours: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Admission Fee: 720 yen (bus fee)

Tombo no Yu
Located just up the road from Harunire Terrace, Tombo no Yu (Tonbo no Yu) is a hot spring that opened in 1915. It's a great place to relax after a long day of sightseeing. Be aware that there can be long lines to enter during holidays, such as Golden Week.

Hours: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Admission Fee: Adults: 1,350 yen, Children (Ages 3 - Elementary school students): 800 yen

Additionally, if you're looking to get some exercise and enjoy the weather on a sunny day, you can rent a bike from a bike rental shop and ride around the Karuizawa area exploring the scenery, visiting shops, etc. The bike rental shops in the area have guidebooks with biking routes of various lengths to help you navigate the area according to your schedule as well. Keep in mind that the bikes can be fully rented out during holiday seasons, so it's a good idea to make a reservation in advance.

A Brief Introduction to Karuizawa

Karuizawa, located in the mountains of south-eastern Nagano, inside Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park, sits at an elevation of 850 to 1,000 meters above sea level and is a popular summer resort in Japan.
Karuizawa has long been popular as a vacation home for many famous and wealthy people because of its easy accessibility (approximately 1 hour from central Tokyo).

Summary of Karuizawa Harunire Terrace, Umbrella Sky

The Hoshino area of Karuizawa also offers accommodations and hot springs, so you can enjoy the upscale Karuizawa lifestyle in a relaxing setting surrounded by nature.
Japan's rainy season has a tendency to make people feel gloomy, but Karuizawa's Harunire Terrace will welcome you with colorful umbrellas, lush greenery, and flowers. If you're feeling down this rainy season, consider visiting Harunire Terrace to cheer yourself up. You're sure to feel refreshed!

[Official website] Harunire Terrace - The Hoshino Area of Karuizawa

[TripAdvisor] Harunire Terrace