KARUIZAWA

2017/12/13 Road condition

There is almost no snow, but there are some places that are partially frozen, such as shady places.
Since snow may fall at any time, studless tires are safer.
Please contact the pension directly for information about the surroundings of the pension you are using.
The main line is �a href="http://www.thread.ne.jp/kta2/main.html?action=spot&kt=84" target="_blank" class="css_btn_class"�Live camera�/a� You can see what's going on.

How to walk on snow without slipping

First of all, shoes with smooth soles will slip no matter what you do. Please wear shoes with non-slip soles.
Next is the way it walks, to put it simply, it walks like �b�Honda's robot Asimo�/b�. You can't walk fast, but it's safe.
Don't fully extend your knees; always keep them slightly bent. When you walk with your knees straight, you touch the ground from your heels and are prone to slipping.
When you touch the ground, touch the ground with the entire sole of your foot, not with your heel.

Be careful of misdirection in winter navigation!

From the Karuizawa Usui Interchange, exit the Karuizawa Interchange and go straight at the first traffic light.
In other words, take Prefectural Route 92.
This is the official road to the interchange, and is wider and easier to drive on.
In terms of distance, it is closer to turn left at the first traffic light, and depending on the navigation system, it may direct you to turn left.
Even if you turn left, the road is a little narrow, but you will reach Prefectural Route 43 that goes down to Shimonita and meet at Asama Prince, so it is fine except in winter.
However, in the winter, the area between the traffic lights and exiting onto Prefectural Route 43 is �b�closed and cannot be driven�/b�. please note.
Prefectural Route 92, heading straight ahead, is not closed unless there is a major emergency, but if it starts to snow, especially if it starts to fall in the middle of the night, it may not be possible to remove the snow in time.
In severe cases, you may be unable to drive even with studless tires and become stranded.
If you feel unsafe, it may be safer to go to Sakudaira and come back using the main road.

Come to Karuizawa by car

If you are coming by car during the harsh winter months, you will need anti-slip tires such as studded tires.
The road leading from the Usui Karuizawa Expressway exit to Karuizawa may be difficult to drive, especially when it starts to snow.
When the snow begins to fall, cars from the city give up and are abandoned near the top of Kazumi Pass, which has become a familiar sight in winter.
In that case, if you are coming from Tokyo, it would be easier to take the R18 bypass from the Matsuida Myogi Interchange, which is one stop ahead.
Alternatively, you can go to Sakudaira or Komoro and come back (you can also exit from Parada's Smart Interchange, but it's not recommended as it's a steep downhill slope).
*The R18 Bypass is a main artery and large trucks pass through it late at night, so it rarely stops here, but it completely stopped during the heavy snowfall of 2014.

Be especially careful when it starts to snow

You can drive on snow-removed roads with studless tires.
Even if there are some slippery spots, cars equipped with modern traction control, ABS, and stability control devices can be surprisingly run even if they are not 4WD (but don't drive too hard).
In Karuizawa, the main lines are cleared of snow even at night. Even so, if it starts snowing, especially in cases where heavy snow suddenly starts to fall, it may not be possible to remove the snow in time.
If the snow is not removed in time, cars with low ground clearance will quickly get stuck and will not be able to drive, even with studless tires.
Chen is much more powerful, but he still has his limits.
During the heavy snowfall of 2014, cars that could no longer drive were abandoned all over the town.
If it's a main line, snow removal will arrive soon, so if you encounter such a case, you may decide to wait until snow removal arrives.
Even in that case, as the snow accumulates, you will need to shovel the area around your car yourself, so you will need a shovel.
If you are planning for the worst case scenario, it is better to have a full tank of gas.
Please check the weather forecast before going out or contact your pension if you have any concerns.

Also, during the harsh winter months, the temperature can drop to around -20℃.
Even if it's warm inside, it's cold outside. Please come with sufficient protection against the cold.

Light oil may freeze

�b�For diesel cars�/b�, if you know it's going to get cold, you need to fill up with antifreeze type diesel oil.
This is not so much of a problem in Karuizawa, but it is necessary especially if you are going to ski resorts at high altitudes.
In the worst case scenario, if the diesel oil freezes, you will not be able to drive the vehicle and will have to tow it to a warmer location.
Not only at local stations but also at expressway service area stations, when you refuel on the way down, the fuel will automatically change to anti-freeze type diesel fuel.

If you don't change the washer fluid to an antifreeze type, it will freeze easily.

Simply adding strong anti-freeze type washer fluid sold at home centers may have an effect depending on the amount of water added.
Even if it freezes, it won't be too much of a problem, your car will not be damaged and will be back to normal use once you return to a warm place.
But ice stuck to the windshield.
You may use a de-icing spray to melt it, or you may use a tool to scrape it off, but locals also simply melt it with washer fluid.
Antifreeze type washer fluid is convenient.
Please contact your pension for details.

Driving on snow is a lot of fun once you get used to it.
Karuizawa is 1000m above sea level. Don't forget that you are on top of a mountain, surrounded by nature!

2016 Onioshidashien will be open in winter for the first time in 10 years!

Due to the fact that it has been certified as a geopark and the number of environmental visitors from overseas is increasing, we will be open during the winter this year. Depending on the snowfall conditions, we also offer activities such as kamakura and sledding.
For public transportation, �a href="http://www.seibubus.co.jp/kogen/" target="_blank" class="css_btn_class"�Seibu Kogen Bus�/a� is available.

Driving in Karuizawa in the middle of winter

Driving on snow is a lot of fun once you get used to it, and you'll love winter in Karuizawa, but here we'll take a look at the basics.

�b�Studless is required�/b�
The main road has been cleared of snow and is OK, but when you go to the sides, it's frozen.
However, it is best to keep in mind that studless tires are designed to be used on roads that have been cleared of snow. It's surprisingly difficult to do in places with deep snow.
It's safer to drive in a 4WD or SUV, but even if you don't have one, you'll be surprised at how modern cars are equipped with traction control, ABS, and electronic stability control.
But driving recklessly is no good.

�b�Avoid places with deep snow�/b�
If a car with a low ground clearance is in a place with deep snow, the snow will get stuck under the floor and it will get stuck right away.
A four-wheel drive vehicle with a high ground clearance is safer, but studless tires have surprisingly little ability to shovel snow, and if the snow is wet and slippery, you may get stuck even if there is still room under the floor. .
As I will explain later, when stopping, avoid places with deep snow.
Even when passing each other on flat ground, if you lean too close to the side of the snowbank, you may not be able to escape.

�b�The most slippery thing is ice�/b�
At first glance, black ice burns are difficult to distinguish from simply wet roads, so be careful.
Snow changes depending on snow quality. Dry snow that makes a squeaky sound grips well, but wet snow is slippery.
It's much safer than ice, but be careful because even if it looks like snow, there may be ice underneath.
If you hit it with the intention of snowing, it will spin around. Or, instead of bending, it thrusts.

�b�Pay attention to the feel of the handle�/b�
The steering feels light on slippery roads.
It is said that once you get used to it, you will be able to feel the slippage throughout your body, but even beginners can easily notice the difference in the feel of the handle.
If you feel the steering wheel feel different than usual, first slow down.
*However, if your car model has too much power steering, you may not be able to tell.

Next, please drive while sharpening your whole body's senses.
It doesn't accelerate like usual. It doesn't bend like usual. It can swing slightly from side to side. There are many changes.
Gradually, you will begin to understand what condition your car is in.

�b�Avoid sudden operations → Operate earlier than usual�/b�
Sudden steering, sudden braking, sudden acceleration, and sudden operations are dangerous (of course).
Specifically, early action is required.

�b�Run slowly at first�/b�
Leave enough distance between vehicles.
When stopping, slow down well in advance.
It is dangerous when the intersection is red and you have to stop.
The brakes are applied before an intersection, so the snow melts easily, and the melted snow freezes into ice, making it slippery.
Even if you try to slow down, the ABS may kick in and keep you going forever.
If you don't stop, you might almost hit the car in front of you, or if you're in front, you'll end up sticking your head out.
When turning at an intersection, slow down much earlier than usual.
�b�Downhill braking�/b�
If the ABS is excellent, you can manage even with surprisingly rough braking. If your car does not have ABS, it is extremely dangerous if you step on the brakes carelessly and cause the brakes to lock up.
If it's going downhill, you'll lose control and slide to a lower level.
If you are concerned about ABS, it may be safer to shift to 2nd gear when going downhill and use engine braking alone.

The general rule is to climb uphill all at once.
It's fine if you can climb all the way up, but if you stop midway, you may not be able to start again.
Traction control comes into play here, and if your car has good traction control, it will be surprisingly easy to climb.
If you can't start, it's quite dangerous, so if you have a 4WD, put it in 4WD mode and calmly step on the accelerator.
If you panic and press hard, the tires will spin and the car will fall downward.
Whether you're climbing or descending, it's important to avoid stopping on steep slopes as much as possible.

When it snows, the lanes become narrower, so it can be difficult to differentiate between you and an oncoming vehicle.
When driving on a slope, whether going up or down, it is safe to wait for a time when there are no oncoming vehicles.
If you must stop your vehicle, do so on a flat surface with little snow.

�b�Start turning the steering wheel early even in corners�/b�
Since it will inevitably be a long turn, start turning the steering wheel early and point the car firmly in the direction of the turn (set a yaw angle).
*Be sure to get used to drifting!
At this time, as I mentioned above in the sense of the steering wheel, you can also tell the road condition.
The sooner you turn it off, the more likely you are to deal with any abnormalities that may occur, but avoid sudden braking.

�b�Remember that your car is not the only one that cannot stop → Don't get close to other cars�/b�
Sometimes the other person will attack you.
Sometimes the car that was running in front of you suddenly spins out.
There is a possibility that they will attack you not only from the front, but also from the back, left and right.
Applying the brakes early and slowing down at an intersection will slow down the speed of the car behind you, reducing the chance of a rear-end collision.
Even when the traffic light turns green, the car on the red side may show up without stopping.
I'll check it properly before sending it.

If you suddenly make a mistake while driving on snow, you may end up hating winter driving due to fear, but once you see that you are gradually getting better at it, it becomes a lot of fun.
For advanced/advanced information, please ask a pension owner who loves cars.