Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park Gymnasium is located in the Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park and is the venue for the home games of the V-League's Route Inn Hotels Brilliant Aries.
The gymnasium, ice arena, curling rink, and indoor swimming pool, Scup Karuizawa, are all located in Kazakoshi Park.
Near the park are the Karuizawa Taliesin and the Ertz Toy Museum.
Getting to the Stadium
The arena is about 6 kilometers away from Karuizawa Station, so a car is required.
There is a city bus service circulating, but it is not very frequent and is not practical to use for events.
You can either drive from the Usui Karuizawa Interchange, or if you are coming from the Tokyo metropolitan area, you can get off at the Matsuida Myogi Interchange and take Route 18 across the mountains, as there is a possibility of heavy traffic during the summer holidays.
If you are coming from the Tokyo metropolitan area, exit at the Matsuida-Myogi Interchange and take Route 18 across the mountains.
When you get off at the Usui Karuizawa Interchange, you will be faced with the choice of turning left or going straight at the traffic lights. Both roads lead to the outlet area and the skating rink, but the straight road is the better one. Even though it's a bit of a detour, it's easier to drive straight, so I recommend going straight instead of going for distance (there's an overtaking lane on the way, so it's a bit easier).
If you turn left, it's a very hard mountain road and the road is narrow, so it's not easy to drive.
If you take the left route, you will eventually join the straight road (Matsuida-Karuizawa line) around Asama Prince Hotel, but either route will be jammed during the summer vacation season. In the case of the left route, it takes a long time to merge into the Matsuida-Karuizawa line, so it does not seem to be very beneficial.
About the Stadium
It is located in Kazekoshi Park. If you are driving from the Karuizawa Taliesin side, the facility will be on your left when you arrive at Kazekoshi Park. If you go to the soccer field, you have gone too far.
There is a skating rink, Scup Karuizawa, right near the gymnasium.
Location: 1157-6 Oaza Hachi, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
Opened: July, 2014
Explore Nagano
Travel Tips & Information
Here is the basic information about Nagano as a reference for planning your trip.
1. "Getting there & Around" Karuizawa, Ueda, Saku, Komoro
For those in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the JR Nagano Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Karuizawa Station in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and Ueda Station in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
If you are from the Kanto area, renting a car is also an option as you will need a car to get to Nagano.
2. "Where to Stay" in Karuizawa, Ueda, Saku, Komoro
Karuizawa has an outlet mall near the station, but you will need a car to get to Kazekoshi Park, and there are no hotels near Kazekoshi Park.
Saku requires a car as well, and Ueda can be reached on foot from the station if you are just sightseeing, but if you are going to combine sightseeing with watching the games, you will need a car.
3. "What to Do & See" in Karuizawa, Ueda, Saku, Komoro
In Karuizawa, there is a premium outlet mall in front of the station, but other sightseeing spots are far from the station.
In Ueda, Ueda Castle is within walking distance from the station, so if you just want to go sightseeing, you can do it without a car.
4. "What / Where to Eat" in Karuizawa, Ueda, Saku, Komoro
Nagano is famous for its soba noodles. You can also enjoy buying apples at apple stands.
Karuizawa is located on the border of Gunma Prefecture, and one of the most famous restaurants in the area is Oginoya, the main restaurant of Toge no Kamameshi.
If you are driving, you can also eat at the Yokogawa Service Area on the Joshinetsu Expressway.
There is also a supermarket called Tsuruya, which has a wide selection of goods, so shopping is fun.
