Winter tourists scenery

Karuizawa PSP is holding a special sale to celebrate Chinese new year this week.

    It is Chinese new year week this week, and a lot of, again, a lot of tourists from China are coming to Japan.  Karuizawa is actually one of the main destinations for outlet shoppers.  Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza (PSP) is located just in front of Karuizawa station and is welcoming guest shoppers from Asia by holding a special sale.  Until last year, I do not remember if PSP had such a big Chinese language dedicated poster like this, but this year, we can see not only this but also many other individual shops created their own Chinese language posters and ads to attract attention from Chinese tourists.  For Japanese shoppers, it is good too because we can buy a lucky bag (福袋） twice a year in January and February and enjoy big sale events again.  It must be good for sellers too.

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Information center of the outlet looks like Chinese hotel reception.

Welcoming sign at the entrance of Karuizawa shopping outlet

Some rental bicycle shops are operating during winter season.

    Increase in overseas shoppers influences other parts of Karuizawa tourist scenery and economy.  Until a few years ago, Karuizawa winter tourist scenery was actually quite silent.  However, recent increase in inbound tourists to the town has changed the scenery little by little.  Some rental bicycle shops, which used to close during winter, are now operating their shops even during winter.  We sometimes see Chinese and Asian tourists riding bicycle on icy town roads for sightseeing.  Japanese tourists do not do that as it is cold and risky, but overseas tourists do not care and look to enjoy sightseeing for icy and snowy town.  Karuizawa town's winter icy scenery must have some values to attract them, something which most Japanese tourists and even Karuizawa local businesses have so far overlooked.   

​    Actually, most of shops still tend to close during winter especially in Kyu Karuizawa area, but this winter tourist scenery changes may have a potential to change such tendency.  I hope more local businesses in town rethink their strategy by taking advantage of this chance to convert Karuizawa to real all-season resort. 

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