Karuizawa

Karuizawa

Karuizawa refers to a plateau area at the border of Gunma and Nagano prefectures, about 1,000 meters above sea level. It enjoys a cool climate year-round and is a historic resort villa destination in Japan, as well as one of the country’s top summer retreats, with an average annual temperature about 10 degrees lower than Tokyo.

During the Edo period, Karuizawa was merely a post station along the Nakasendō highway. To its east lies the famous Usui Pass on the Nakasendō. Because crossing the pass took considerable time, travelers often stayed overnight in Karuizawa to rest before continuing their journey. This contributed to the town’s prosperity. In the Meiji era, although Karuizawa declined after losing its function as a post town, in the summer of 1886, Canadian missionary Alexander Croft Shaw visited and found the scenery reminiscent of his hometown, Toronto. As a result, he built a villa here in 1888 and promoted it widely among friends, marking the beginning of Karuizawa’s new chapter as a summer resort. In the same year, the Nagano section of the Shinetsu Main Line opened, with a station established in Karuizawa. By 1893, the railway over the Usui Pass was completed, enabling direct access to Tokyo. With its picturesque landscapes, Karuizawa quickly attracted many missionaries, intellectuals, and cultural figures, rapidly becoming a renowned summer retreat.

Karuizawa is a fun-filled holiday destination, surrounded by abundant natural attractions such as Yunohana Pond, Shiraito Falls, and the Usui Pass, as well as man-made amenities including art museums, tennis courts, and golf courses. There’s plenty to do, making it an ideal place for family outings.

Karuizawa

Must-visit reason: One of Japan’s most famous summer resorts

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Prefecture/state where the attraction is located: Nagano Prefecture [Nagano Prefecture]