Experience a Magical Christmas at Karuizawa Highland Church in 2024

Karuizawa is truly my top favorite destination, beautiful in every season! The Christmas illumination at the Highland Church is incredibly enchanting, making you feel like you've stepped into a fairytale forest. You can even take a stroll with a lantern in hand. Next to the church, there's a small Christmas tree where you can pick up a card with a stranger's blessing or leave your own for the next visitor. 📅 Reservations: Free, but you need to book in advance on the official website. There are two ways to reserve: one is through a lottery (already ended), and the other is booking remaining tickets at 3 PM the day before. There are three time slots: 7:30-8:30, 8:30-9:30, and 9:00-9:30. It's easier to get tickets on weekdays, while weekends, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day are particularly challenging. The first two slots allow for a longer stay and are harder to secure, while the last slot is easier to get due to its shorter duration of 30 minutes. ⚠️ Important Notes: 1️⃣ Entry requires confirmation email and ID verification. 2️⃣ You cannot enter early, and it gets very cold at night, so dress warmly and bring heat packs. If you arrive early, you can rest at the café in the lobby of the nearby Hoshino Hotel. 3️⃣ The site is magical, with a large Christmas tree and wreaths perfect for photos. Staff are available to take pictures, and the queue moves quickly as everyone is considerate. 4️⃣ If you can't secure a reservation, you can still enter after 9:30 PM, but there will be no staff present. 🚃 Transportation: You can take a train to Nakakaruizawa Station and walk about 20 minutes to the church. The walk is not far, though a small section is dark. Once you see the 7-11, turn the corner to reach the church. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the station, as many are available and the distance is short, so it shouldn't be expensive. #Karuizawa #KaruizawaHighlandChurch #ChristmasInTokyo