Would a 1 or 2-week JR pass cover this? I'm getting one since I'll be visiting multiple cities on my 3 week trip.

Just applied for all three days, it's all in the lottery's hands now.

^ Soooo adorable. I think she could rock it if she tried, but classic Momoka will always be best Momoka.

You'll have a hard time finding a place to stay in Karuizawa for a reasonable price now.
Staying in a city along the train route is one option, while the other is commuting from Tokyo or Nagano or someplace every day.
Dave or I will let you guys know if we have extra tickets for some of the days since we both applied for 2 tickets each. Also if anyone happens to have extra tickets, please let us know.

I will abuse the forum again with some technicalities, hoping in the indulgence at least of those who are already doing the same...

A while ago I decided to apply for all three days. A very adventurous choice since I do not know anything about Karuizawa except for its recent historical background (and possibly a certain old Patlabor OVA「 二人の軽井沢」that is now coming to my mind)...
While I wait like everyone else for the lottery results, I am also trying do devise some kind of trip plan, and I notice that here (apparently), only the stay in Karuizawa or the Hokuriku Shinkansen (plus "Survival Shuttle" I suppose) are considered.

The latter appears clearly feasible to me, because of the show's early start hour (and I will be in Tokyo anyway), but I was initially intrigued by the daily bus option (日帰り往復バスプラン, the so called "Pattern B", sub option A of the website), because of the chance of travelling with fellow Mononofu and also the possibility of leaving some luggage on the bus.
I could not understand from the website if this is possible with the shuttle itself.

Disregarding the "price" factor (the rail pass is obviously cheaper), is this option worth considering?
Or is it too cumbersome to prepare for? (I do not even understand where the bus departure is located, in each city)
Or is the procedure (and perhaps the payment) too difficult for foreign visitors?
Or is the bus trip just too long?
Is it even conceivable to try different solutions in different days (assuming the greatest luck in terms of lottery results)?

I express my gratitude in advance to those who will be so patient and kind to share their superior understanding of the matter.

Lucky. I only got 24th.

Gakugeeeekai said:

Results are in! I won Dec 24 and Dec 25!

Same here, but my excessive ambitions about the Tour Plans seem now practically unworkable from outside Japan, as the procedure described in the JTB site is even more complicated than the AE one and apparently requires a payment via bank transfer...

I will probably use the Shinkansen to "commute" from Tokyo.

^We should all meet at Karuizawa Station (assuming we get the same buses)

sorry, i misread a twit. "undecided yet"

Looks like I had to check the results at https://www.jtb.co.jp/form/ripple/momochri2015/index2.asp

I got my first choice! (1 night at rank B hotel, single room, 24-25 plan)

I'd want to hop on as soon as possible! naturally haha

surprised it's not another lottery lol