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Coordinates: 36°20′55″N 138°35′49″E / 36.34861°N 138.59694°E / 36.34861; 138.59694
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{{about|the town|the adventure game|Karuizawa Yūkai Annai}}
{{about|the town|the adventure game|Karuizawa Yūkai Annai}}
{{more footnotes|date=January 2012}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Karuizawa
| name = Karuizawa
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| coor_pinpoint =
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_name = Japan {{flagicon|Japan}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]] ([[Kōshin'etsu region|Kōshin'etsu]])
| subdivision_name1 = [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]] ([[Kōshin'etsu region|Kōshin'etsu]])
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| area_code_type =
| area_code_type =
| area_code =
| area_code =
| blank_name_sec1 = Symbols
| blank_name_sec1 = Phone number
| blank_info_sec1 =  
| blank_info_sec1 = 0267-45-8111
| blank1_name_sec1 = • Tree
| blank1_name_sec1 = Address
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Magnolia kobus]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = 2381-1 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano-ken 389-0192
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = • Flower
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid continental climate|Dfb]]
| blank2_info_sec1 = Sakurasō {{small|(''[[Primula sieboldii]]'')}}
| website = {{Official website|1=http://www.town.karuizawa.lg.jp/}}
| blank3_name_sec1 = • Bird
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Brown-headed thrush]]
| blank4_name_sec1 =
| blank4_info_sec1 =
| blank5_name_sec1 =
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =
| blank_name_sec2 = Phone number
| blank_info_sec2 = 0267-45-8111
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 = 2381-1 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano-ken 389-0192
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.town.karuizawa.lg.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = [[Magnolia kobus]]
| flower = Sakurasō {{small|(''[[Primula sieboldii]]'')}}
| bird = [[Brown-headed thrush]]
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish =
| other_symbols =
}}
}}
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Karuizawa'''|軽井沢町|Karuizawa-machi}} is a [[resort town|resort]] [[Towns of Japan|town]] located in [[Nagano Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2016|10|01}}, the town had an estimated [[population]] of 20,323 in 9897 households,<ref>[https://www.town.karuizawa.lg.jp/www/toppage/0000000000000/APM03000.html Karuizawa Town official statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331080914/https://www.town.karuizawa.lg.jp/www/toppage/0000000000000/APM03000.html |date=2019-03-31 }}{{in lang|ja}}</ref> and a [[population density]] of 130 persons per km². The total area of the town is {{cvt|156.03|sqkm|sqmi}}. Karuizawa is one of the oldest and most famous summer resorts in Japan, loved by many people from different countries since the [[19th century]].<ref>Shotenkenchiku-sha, ''HOTEL RESTAURANTS & BARS'', 1995, p.15</ref>
{{Nihongo|'''Karuizawa'''|軽井沢町|Karuizawa-machi}} is a [[resort town|resort]] [[Towns of Japan|town]] located in [[Nagano Prefecture]], Japan. {{As of|2016|10|01}}, the town had an estimated population of 20,323 in 9897 households,<ref>[https://www.town.karuizawa.lg.jp/www/toppage/0000000000000/APM03000.html Karuizawa Town official statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331080914/https://www.town.karuizawa.lg.jp/www/toppage/0000000000000/APM03000.html |date=2019-03-31 }}{{in lang|ja}}</ref> and a population density of 130 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the town is {{cvt|156.03|sqkm|sqmi}}. Karuizawa, one of the oldest and most famous summer resorts in Japan, has been visited by many people from around the world since the 19th century.<ref>Shotenkenchiku-sha, ''HOTEL RESTAURANTS & BARS'', 1995, p.15</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
[[file:Mt.asama.karuizawa.jpg|thumb|Mt.Asama seen from Karuizawa]]
[[File:Mt.asama.karuizawa.jpg|thumb|Mt.Asama seen from Karuizawa]]
Karuizawa is located in eastern Nagano Prefecture, bordered by [[Gunma Prefecture]] to the north, east and south. The town is located on an elevated plain at the foot of [[Mount Asama]], one of Japan's most active volcanoes. The mountain is classed as a Category A active volcano. A small eruption was detected in June 2015, a more significant eruption spewing hot rocks and a plume of ash occurred in February 2015. Mt. Asama's most destructive eruption in recent recorded history took place in 1783, when over 1,000 were killed. The volcano is actively monitored by scientists and climbing close to the summit is prohibited.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Demetriou |first=Danielle |date=16 June 2015 |title=Mount Asama volcano erupts near Tokyo |publisher=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/11677199/Mount-Asama-volcano-erupts-near-Tokyo.html}}</ref>
Karuizawa is located in eastern Nagano Prefecture, bordered by [[Gunma Prefecture]] to the north, east and south. The town is located on an elevated plain at the foot of [[Mount Asama]], one of Japan's most active volcanoes. The mountain is classed as a Category A active volcano. A small eruption was detected in June 2015, a more significant eruption spewing hot rocks and a plume of ash occurred in February 2015. Mt. Asama's most destructive eruption in recent recorded history took place in 1783, when over 1,000 were killed. The volcano is actively monitored by scientists and climbing close to the summit is prohibited.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Demetriou |first=Danielle |date=16 June 2015 |title=Mount Asama volcano erupts near Tokyo |publisher=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/11677199/Mount-Asama-volcano-erupts-near-Tokyo.html}}</ref>


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** [[Tsumagoi, Gunma|Tsumagoi]]
** [[Tsumagoi, Gunma|Tsumagoi]]


== Demographics ==
===Climate===
Karuizawa has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dwb'') with warm summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Karuizawa is {{cvt|8.6|C}}. The average annual rainfall is {{cvt|1246.2|mm}} with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around {{cvt|20.8|C}}, and lowest in January, at around {{cvt|-3.3|C}}.<ref name=normals/> Precipitation is much heavier in the summer than in the winter.
Per Japanese census data,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-nagano.php |title=Karuizawa population statistics |access-date=2019-04-30 |archive-date=2019-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430002006/http://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-nagano.php |url-status=live }}</ref> the population of Karuizawa has been increasing over the past 50 years.

{{Historical populations
{{Weather box
| 1940 | 8746
|width=auto
| 1950 | 13676
|location = Karuizawa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1925–present)
| 1960 | 13299
|collapsed = Y
| 1970 | 13373
|single line = Y
| 1980 | 14195
|metric first = Y
| 1990 | 15464
|Jan record high C = 16.1
| 2000 | 16181
|Feb record high C = 18.8
| 2010 | 19023
|Mar record high C = 22.6
| align = none
|Apr record high C = 28.3
| footnote =
|May record high C = 29.5
}}
|Jun record high C = 31.1
|Jul record high C = 34.2
|Aug record high C = 33.9
|Sep record high C = 31.3
|Oct record high C = 27.7
|Nov record high C = 22.3
|Dec record high C = 20.7
|Jan record low C = -20.3
|Feb record low C = -19.6
|Mar record low C = -21.0
|Apr record low C = -11.6
|May record low C = -6.1
|Jun record low C = -0.9
|Jul record low C = 5.0
|Aug record low C = 7.0
|Sep record low C = -0.2
|Oct record low C = -6.5
|Nov record low C = -11.8
|Dec record low C = -18.0
|Jan high C = 2.3
|Feb high C = 3.5
|Mar high C = 7.8
|Apr high C = 14.3
|May high C = 19.2
|Jun high C = 21.5
|Jul high C = 25.3
|Aug high C = 26.3
|Sep high C = 21.7
|Oct high C = 16.2
|Nov high C = 11.2
|Dec high C = 5.3
|Jan mean C = -3.3
|Feb mean C = -2.6
|Mar mean C = 1.1
|Apr mean C = 7.0
|May mean C = 12.3
|Jun mean C = 16.0
|Jul mean C = 20.1
|Aug mean C = 20.8
|Sep mean C = 16.7
|Oct mean C = 10.5
|Nov mean C = 4.8
|Dec mean C = -0.5
|Jan low C = -8.2
|Feb low C = -8.0
|Mar low C = -4.5
|Apr low C = 0.6
|May low C = 6.3
|Jun low C = 11.8
|Jul low C = 16.4
|Aug low C = 17.1
|Sep low C = 13.0
|Oct low C = 6.3
|Nov low C = -0.2
|Dec low C = -5.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 36.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 36.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 68.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 81.0
|May precipitation mm = 108.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 154.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 191.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 141.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 193.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 151.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 52.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 29.6
|year precipitation mm = 1246.2
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 5.2
|Feb precipitation days = 5.3
|Mar precipitation days = 8.4
|Apr precipitation days = 8.9
|May precipitation days = 9.9
|Jun precipitation days = 12.6
|Jul precipitation days = 14.8
|Aug precipitation days = 11.5
|Sep precipitation days = 11.4
|Oct precipitation days = 9.3
|Nov precipitation days = 5.9
|Dec precipitation days = 5.0
|Jan snow cm = 44
|Feb snow cm = 38
|Mar snow cm = 33
|Apr snow cm = 5
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 1
|Dec snow cm = 19
|year snow cm = 141
|unit snow days = 1 cm
|Jan snow days = 9.2
|Feb snow days = 8.7
|Mar snow days = 6.1
|Apr snow days = 0.8
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 0.3
|Dec snow days = 4.9
|humidity colour= green
|Jan humidity = 76
|Feb humidity = 74
|Mar humidity = 72
|Apr humidity = 70
|May humidity = 75
|Jun humidity = 85
|Jul humidity = 87
|Aug humidity = 87
|Sep humidity = 89
|Oct humidity = 87
|Nov humidity = 80
|Dec humidity = 78
|Jan sun = 181.6
|Feb sun = 191.8
|Mar sun = 194.8
|Apr sun = 204.6
|May sun = 198.5
|Jun sun = 144.8
|Jul sun = 138.6
|Aug sun = 162.7
|Sep sun = 126.6
|Oct sun = 140.3
|Nov sun = 162.5
|Dec sun = 171.9
|year sun = 2022.0
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=48&block_no=47622&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = April 19, 2022}}</ref><ref name=normals>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=48&block_no=47622&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = April 19, 2022}}</ref>}}


==History==
==History==
[[File:Hiroshige Travellers lighting their pipes by a fire.jpg|thumb|From [[Hiroshige]]'s series Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido (1834-1842), view 19 and station 18 at Karuisawa.]]
[[File:Hiroshige Travellers lighting their pipes by a fire.jpg|thumb|From [[Hiroshige]]'s series Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido (1834–1842), view 19 and station 18 at Karuisawa]]
[[File:Alexander Croft Shaw.jpg|thumb|Alexander Croft Shaw]]
[[File:Alexander Croft Shaw.jpg|thumb|Alexander Croft Shaw]]
[[File:Karuizawa Union Church 2.jpg|thumb|Karuizawa Union Church, before 1945]]
[[File:Karuizawa Union Church 2.jpg|thumb|Karuizawa Union Church, before 1945]]
[[File:Kyu-Karuizawa Main Street, Vintage Photos.jpg|thumb|Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza (Main Street), 1934]]
[[File:Kyu-Karuizawa Main Street, Vintage Photos.jpg|thumb|Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza (Main Street), 1930s]]
[[File:Karuizawa Foreigners Cemetery 1.jpg|thumb|Karuizawa Foreigner’s Cemetery]]
[[File:Karuizawa Foreigners Cemetery 1.jpg|thumb|Karuizawa Foreigner's Cemetery]]
The area of present-day Karuizawa was part of ancient [[Shinano Province]], and developed as [[Karuisawa-shuku]], a [[shukuba|post station]] on the [[Nakasendō]] highway connecting [[Edo]] with [[Kyoto]] during the [[Edo period]].
The area of present-day Karuizawa was part of ancient [[Shinano Province]], and developed as [[Karuisawa-shuku]], a [[shukuba|post station]] on the [[Nakasendō]] highway connecting [[Edo]] with [[Kyoto]] during the [[Edo period]].


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* 1910s: Begins to attract the attention of other expatriates and Japanese.<ref>''Tohoku: The Scotland of Japan'', p. 181</ref> Specially Germans congregate here, language professors and academics hold annual conferences.
* 1910s: Begins to attract the attention of other expatriates and Japanese.<ref>''Tohoku: The Scotland of Japan'', p. 181</ref> Specially Germans congregate here, language professors and academics hold annual conferences.
* August 1, 1923: The village of Higashinagakura gains town status to become the town of Karuizawa. (The pre-town areas before gaining the town status is known as Kyu-Karuizawa.)
* August 1, 1923: The village of Higashinagakura gains town status to become the town of Karuizawa. (The pre-town areas before gaining the town status is known as Kyu-Karuizawa.)
* May 8, 1942: The village of Nishinagakura is merged into Karuizawa
* May 8, 1942: The village of Nishinagakura is merged into Karuizawa.
* 1942-45: Site of an internment camp for enemy foreigners and diplomats during World War 2.
* 1942–45: Site of an internment camp for enemy foreigners and diplomats during World War 2
* From 1943 relocation of an increasing number of Germans from Tokyo, which is suffering from US fire bombing. The [[Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers]] deported most German nationals in late 1947.
* From 1943 relocation of an increasing number of Germans from Tokyo, which is suffering from US fire bombing. The [[Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers]] deported most German nationals in late 1947.
* 1951: Selected as International Cultural and Tourism City.
* 1951: Selected as International Cultural and Tourism City
* February 1, 1957: Karuizawa absorbed Serizawa area from the former village of Goga, which was absorbed by the town of Miyota.
* February 1, 1957: Karuizawa absorbed Serizawa area from the former village of Goga, which was absorbed by the town of Miyota.
* April 1, 1959: The Kajikazawa area of the former village of Oiwake was split off and merged with the town of Miyota.
* April 1, 1959: The Kajikazawa area of the former village of Oiwake was split off and merged with the town of Miyota.
* 1964: [[1964 Summer Olympics]] (Equestrian)
* 1964: [[1964 Summer Olympics]] (Equestrian)
* February 1972: [[Asama-Sanso incident]]; Police besiege communist militants holed up in holiday resort after mass killing and hostage taking.
* February 1972: [[Asama-Sanso incident]]; Police besiege communist militants holed up in holiday resort after mass killing and hostage taking.
* October 1, 1997: The [[Nagano Shinkansen]] opens, serving Karuizawa.
* October 1, 1997: The [[Nagano Shinkansen]] opens, serving Karuizawa.
* 1998: [[1998 Winter Olympics]] (Curling)
* 1998: [[1998 Winter Olympics]] (Curling)
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* 2016: The [[G7]] Transport Ministers' Meeting
* 2016: The [[G7]] Transport Ministers' Meeting
* 2019: The [[G20]] Energy and Environment Ministers' Meeting
* 2019: The [[G20]] Energy and Environment Ministers' Meeting
* 2023: G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in conjunction with the G7 Summit<ref name="G7-2023">{{Cite web |title=G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano |url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/ecm/ec/page24e_000391.html |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=Foreign Policy |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |language=English}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-nagano.php |title=Karuizawa population statistics |access-date=2019-04-30 |archive-date=2019-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430002006/http://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-nagano.php |url-status=live }}</ref> the population of Karuizawa has been increasing over the past 60 years.
{{Historical populations
| 1940 | 8,746
| 1950 | 13,676
| 1960 | 13,299
| 1970 | 13,373
| 1980 | 14,195
| 1990 | 15,464
| 2000 | 16,181
| 2010 | 19,023
| 2020 | 19,188
| align = none
| footnote =
}}


==Economy==
==Economy==
Since one of the origins of the [[Seibu Group]] is in Karuizawa (see also [[Yasujiro Tsutsumi]]), Seibu is still developing big businesses in this town such as [[Prince Hotels]].
Since one of the origins of the [[Seibu Group]] is in Karuizawa (see also [[Yasujiro Tsutsumi]]), Seibu is still developing big businesses in this town such as [[Prince Hotels]].


[[Hoshino Resorts]] is headquartered in Karuizawa.<ref>"[http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=23316508 Company Overview of Hoshino Resort Co., Ltd.] ([https://archive.today/20130922173104/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=23316508 Archive]). [[Bloomberg Businessweek]]. Retrieved on September 22, 2013. "2148, oazanagakura karuizawa-machi Kitasaku, 389-0111 Japan"</ref>
[[Hoshino Resorts]] is headquartered in Karuizawa.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20080209235819/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=23316508 Company Overview of Hoshino Resort Co., Ltd.] ([https://archive.today/20130922173104/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=23316508 Archive]). [[Bloomberg Businessweek]]. Retrieved on September 22, 2013. "2148, oazanagakura karuizawa-machi Kitasaku, 389-0111 Japan"</ref>


==Education==
==Education==
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**{{STN|Karuizawa}}
**{{STN|Karuizawa}}
*[[File:Shinano Railway Symbolmark.svg|20px]] [[Shinano Railway]]
*[[File:Shinano Railway Symbolmark.svg|20px]] [[Shinano Railway]]
**{{STN|Karuizawa}} - {{STN|Naka-Karuizawa}} - {{STN|Shinano-Oiwake}}
**{{STN|Karuizawa}} – {{STN|Naka-Karuizawa}} – {{STN|Shinano-Oiwake}}


===Highway===
===Highway===
*[[Image:E18 Expressway (Japan).png|24px|link=|alt=E18]] [[Jōshin-etsu Expressway]]
*[[Image:JP Expressway E18.svg|24px|link=|alt=E18]] [[Jōshin-etsu Expressway]]
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|18}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|18}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|146}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|146}}
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==Local attractions==
==Local attractions==
[[File:軽井沢ショー記念礼拝堂正面.jpg|thumb|Shaw Memorial Church]]
[[File:軽井沢ショー記念礼拝堂正面.jpg|thumb|Shaw Memorial Church]]
[[file:Old Karuizawa ginza04s3200.jpg|thumb|Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza]]
[[File:Old Karuizawa ginza04s3200.jpg|thumb|Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza]]
[[file:160729 Kumoba-ike Karuizawa Japan05s3.jpg|thumb|Kumoba Pond]]
[[File:160729 Kumoba-ike Karuizawa Japan05s3.jpg|thumb|Kumoba Pond]]
[[file:Mikasa-Dori2.jpg|thumb|Mikasa Street]]
[[File:Mikasa-Dori, Karuizawa.jpg|thumb|Mikasa Street]]
[[File:Shiraito (89665647).jpeg|thumb|Shiraito Falls]]
[[File:Shiraito (89665647).jpeg|thumb|Shiraito Falls]]
{{quote|with its comparatively cool summer weather, its cold refreshing nights, its heavy air-clearing showers, its southern aspect, and its position close to some of the most picturesque mountain scenery of Japan, Karuizawa leaves little to be desired as a summer retreat.|[[Cargill Gilston Knott]], "Notes on the Summer Climate of Karuizawa", 1891<ref>Cargill Gilston Knott, [https://archive.org/details/transactionsasi07japagoog/page/n574/mode/2up?q=In+addition+to+the+heavier+rainfall+at+Karuizawa “On the Summer Climate of Karuizawa”], Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, Vol. XIX, Ginza: Hakubunsha, 1891, p.574</ref>}}
{{blockquote|With its comparatively cool summer weather, its cold refreshing nights, its heavy air-clearing showers, its southern aspect, and its position close to some of the most picturesque mountain scenery of Japan, Karuizawa leaves little to be desired as a summer retreat.|[[Cargill Gilston Knott]], "Notes on the Summer Climate of Karuizawa", 1891<ref>Cargill Gilston Knott, [https://archive.org/details/transactionsasi07japagoog/page/n574/mode/2up?q=In+addition+to+the+heavier+rainfall+at+Karuizawa “On the Summer Climate of Karuizawa”], Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, Vol. XIX, Ginza: Hakubunsha, 1891, p.574</ref>}}
{{blockquote|... while quite recently even Japanese gentlemen of high degree have begun to build houses and introduce their families. As in so many other cases, the world followed the lead of the missionaries. Foreigners are now the raison d’étre of Karuizawa, and no echo of Feudalism haunts the hills.|Ernest Foxwell, "A Tale of Karuizawa", 1903<ref>Ernest Foxwell, A Tale of Karuizawa, The Living Age, Vol. 236, Boston : Living Age Company, 1903, p.107</ref>}}
{{quote|And now I am writing in the most lovely study in the world. Over my head the pine branches meet in arches of kindly green ; […] underfoot a lundred layers of pine needles have been weaving a carpet so elastic that the weariest foot must press it lightly ; and, lest I should want for music, a stream, deep-running between hedges of wild clematis and white hydrangea and crowding wistaria tangle, sings a cool tune near by, while the hum of happy insects in the air sounds the high note of noon, the hot Eastern noon, when every bird is still.|[[Mary Crawford Fraser]], "A Diplomatist's Wife in Japan: Letters from Home to Home", 1899<ref>Mrs. Hugh Fraser, [https://archive.org/details/adiplomatistswi01frasgoog/page/n7/mode/2up?q=And+now+I+am+writing+in+the+most+lovely+study+in+the+world.+Over+my+head+the+pine+branches+meet+in+arches+of+kindly+green''A Diplomatist's Wife in Japan: Letters from Home to Home''], Vol. II, London: Hazell, Watson and Viney, 1899, p.53</ref>}}
{{blockquote|Karuizawa, the most popular summer resort in the whole of the Far East […] .|[[Arthur Lloyd (missionary)|Arthur Lloyd]], "Every-day Japan", 1909<ref>Arthur Lloyd, [https://archive.org/details/japaneveryday00lloyrich/page/208/mode/2up? ''Every-day Japan''], London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne: Cassell and Company Limited, 1909, p.281</ref>}}
{{quote|while quite recently even Japanese gentlemen of high degree have begun to build houses and introduce their families. As in so many other cases, the world followed the lead of the missionaries. Foreigners are now the raison d’étre of Karuizawa, and no echo of Feudalism haunts the hills.|Ernest Foxwell, "A Tale of Karuizawa", 1903<ref>Ernest Foxwell, A Tale of Karuizawa, The Living Age, Vol. 236, Boston : Living Age Company, 1903, p.107</ref>}}
Karuizawa was developed as a European-style resort town by a Scottish-Canadian missionary in 1888. In the following decades, the town attracted visitors from across the country seeking to escape the heat of summer and enjoy vacations, as well as a significant number of Westerners. Unlike many other [[hill stations]], Karuizawa was actively open to the natives from the beginning, and many Japanese scholars, artists and others had already built "Western-style" villas in the town by the early 20th century. The Japanese and Western communities interacted well with each other through summer recreation activities and the like.<ref>Anne Shannon, Lana Okerlund, "Finding Japan: Early Canadian Encounters with Asia”, p.56, Heritage House, 2012.</ref> In the 21st century the town retains significant [[Western culture|Western cultural influence]],<ref>[https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220209/p2a/00m/0op/027000c Edging Toward Japan: My Karuizawa Dreams], The Mainichi, February 12, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2019/03/05/travel/resort-town-links-east-west/ Resort town links East with West], The Japan Times, May 5, 2019.</ref> and its alpine beauty and cool summer climate (similar to parts of Europe) continue to draw visitors.
{{quote|Karuizawa, the most popular summer resort in the whole of the Far East […] .|[[Arthur Lloyd (missionary)|Arthur Lloyd]], "Every-day Japan", 1909<ref>Arthur Lloyd, [https://archive.org/details/japaneveryday00lloyrich/page/208/mode/2up? ''Every-day Japan''], London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne: Cassell and Company Limited, 1909, p.281</ref>}}
{{quote|Summers in Karuizawa were not just a break in the year but seemed a whole lifetime in themselves. I have far more memories of the minutiae of life there than I do of the much longer periods of time spent in Tokyo.|[[Edwin O. Reischauer]], "My Life Between Japan and America", 1986<ref>[http://www.oldtokyo.com/karuizawa-c-1920/ Karuizawa, c. 1920.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411044750/http://www.oldtokyo.com/karuizawa-c-1920/ |date=2021-04-11 }}Old Tokyo.com</ref>}}
A Beautiful landscape at an elevation of 1,000 m (3,281 ft) and a cool summer climate similar to Europe, Karuizawa was founded as a European-style resort town by English-Canadian missionaries, and many foreigners visited from all over the country to escape the heat of summer and enjoy vacations. Therefore, a lot of [[Western culture]] remains in this town, which is in harmony with traditional [[Japanese culture]].


And now, this town has also become a popular year-round resort offering many outdoor sports, hot springs and recreational activities. Convenient road and rail access from central Tokyo, has ensured Karuizawa's popularity as a location for second homes and resort hotels since the [[Meiji era]].
More recently, Karuizawa has become a popular year-round resort for mainly Japanese, offering many outdoor sports, hot springs and recreational activities. Convenient road and rail access from central Tokyo has ensured Karuizawa's popularity as a location for second homes and resort hotels since the [[Meiji era]].


The town is known for its historic shopping street known as "Ginza dōri" or "Kyū-dō" ([[Ginza]] Street, or the Old Road) and association with both Japanese royalty and visitors such as [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Tony |date=8 May 2015 |title=Nakasendo walking trail leads to the heart of old Japan – and bear country |publisher=The Australian Financial Review |url=http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/travel/nakasendo-walking-trail-leads-to-the-heart-of-old-japan--and-bear-country-20150430-1mx05v |access-date=3 May 2016 |archive-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602054959/http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/travel/nakasendo-walking-trail-leads-to-the-heart-of-old-japan--and-bear-country-20150430-1mx05v |url-status=live }}</ref> Karuizawa hosted [[equestrianism|equestrian]] events in the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] as well as [[curling]] in the [[1998 Winter Olympics]].
Karuizawa is known for its historic shopping street known as "Ginza dōri" or "Kyū-dō" ([[Ginza]] Street, or the Old Road) and association with both Japanese royalty and visitors such as [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Tony |date=8 May 2015 |title=Nakasendo walking trail leads to the heart of old Japan – and bear country |publisher=The Australian Financial Review |url=http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/travel/nakasendo-walking-trail-leads-to-the-heart-of-old-japan--and-bear-country-20150430-1mx05v |access-date=3 May 2016 |archive-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602054959/http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/travel/nakasendo-walking-trail-leads-to-the-heart-of-old-japan--and-bear-country-20150430-1mx05v |url-status=live }}</ref> As a side note, The Crown Prince [[Akihito]] met [[Michiko Shoda]] for the first time on a tennis court in Karuizawa in August 1957,<ref>[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/25/national/former-emperor-empress-visit-karuizawa-tennis-court-first-met-1957/ Former emperor, empress visit Karuizawa tennis court where they first met in 1957] The Japan Times, Aug 25, 2019.</ref> and John Lennon spent several summers in Karuizawa with his family in the late 1970s.<ref>William Horsley, Roger Buckley, "Nippon New Superpower: Japan Since 1945”, p.85, BBC Books, 1990.</ref>


Karuizawa hosted [[equestrianism|equestrian]] events in the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] as well as [[curling]] in the [[1998 Winter Olympics]]. It is the first city in the world to host both Summer and Winter Olympic events.<ref>“[https://books.google.com/books?id=CGZYAAAAYAAJ&q=karuizawa The Olympian Volume 24]", p.29, [[United States Olympic Committee]], 1998.</ref>
Since 1997, Karuizawa has been accessible via the [[East Japan Railway Company|JR East]] [[Nagano Shinkansen]]. New high speed rail links has resulted in modest population growth and the development of large outlet style [[shopping mall]]s.

Since 1997, Karuizawa has been accessible via the [[East Japan Railway Company|JR East]] [[Nagano Shinkansen]]. New high speed rail links has resulted in modest population growth and the development of large outlet style shopping malls.


==In popular media==
==In popular media==
* The Birds of Karuizawa from [[Sept haïkaï]], [[Olivier Messiaen]]’s composition
* The Birds of Karuizawa from [[Sept haïkaï]], [[Olivier Messiaen]]'s composition
* [[The Wind Rises]], [[Studio Ghibli]] film
* [[The Wind Rises]], [[Studio Ghibli]] film
: Karuizawa appeared in a part of the film.
: Karuizawa appeared in a part of the film.
* [[When Marnie Was There]], Studio Ghibli film
* [[When Marnie Was There (film)|When Marnie Was There]], Studio Ghibli film
: The model of the mansion that appeared in the film is the villa in Karuizawa.
: The model of the mansion that appeared in the film is the villa in Karuizawa.
* [[Karuizawa Yūkai Annai]], [[Enix]] adventure game
* [[Karuizawa Yūkai Annai]], [[Enix]] adventure game
* The Curious Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in Japan, [[Dale Furutani]]’s novel
* The Curious Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in Japan, [[Dale Furutani]]'s novel
: The story is based on the premise that [[Sherlock Holmes]] was in Karuizawa in the “missing years (1891-1894)”.
: The story is based on the premise that [[Sherlock Holmes]] was in Karuizawa in the "missing years (1891–1894)".
*The anime series [[Ouran High School Host Club]]
: Episodes 15 and 16 are set in Karuizawa.


==Notable residents==
==Notable residents==
{{blockquote|And now I am writing in the most lovely study in the world. Over my head the pine branches meet in arches of kindly green ; […].|[[Mary Crawford Fraser]], "A Diplomatist's Wife in Japan: Letters from Home to Home", 1899<ref>Mrs. Hugh Fraser, [https://archive.org/details/adiplomatistswi01frasgoog/page/n7/mode/2up?q=And+now+I+am+writing+in+the+most+lovely+study+in+the+world.+Over+my+head+the+pine+branches+meet+in+arches+of+kindly+green''A Diplomatist's Wife in Japan: Letters from Home to Home''], Vol. II, London: Hazell, Watson and Viney, 1899, p.53</ref>}}
* [[Neil Gordon Munro]], Scottish physician and anthropologist
{{blockquote|There followed a delightful few days in Karuizawa, our last for the summer. [[Douglas Fairbanks]] was a most acceptable guest, […]. |[[Joseph Grew]], Private diary, 1932<ref>[https://www.asianturfgrass.com/post/a-golfers-paradise/ A golfers' paradise], Asian Turfgrass Center.</ref>}}
* [[Paul Jacoulet]], French woodblock print artist
{{blockquote|Summers in Karuizawa were not just a break in the year but seemed a whole lifetime in themselves. I have far more memories of the minutiae of life there than I do of the much longer periods of time spent in Tokyo.|[[Edwin O. Reischauer]], "My Life Between Japan and America", 1986<ref>[http://www.oldtokyo.com/karuizawa-c-1920/ Karuizawa, c. 1920.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411044750/http://www.oldtokyo.com/karuizawa-c-1920/ |date=2021-04-11 }}Old Tokyo.com</ref>}}
{{blockquote|Karuizawa is an old summer resort in Japan very much like the [[Hamptons]] except it's in the mountains. There is a coffee house in a pine forest near Karuizawa. [[John Lennon|John]] & I fell in love with the place, and found ourselves going there almost every day with [[Sean Lennon|Sean]].|[[Yoko Ono]], "THE LIGHTER", 2000<ref>James Henke, "Lennon: His Life and Work”, p.11, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, 2000.</ref><ref>[https://mobile.twitter.com/yokoono/status/1377280495176839168 Yoko Ono (April 1, 2021)], Twitter</ref>}}
{{blockquote|They (Olivia's parents) had two properties up in Karuizawa in the mountains for the summer. People fled Tokyo in the summer because the heat is quite extreme.|[[Olivia de Havilland]], Interview, 2006<ref>[https://achievement.org/achiever/olivia-de-havilland/#interview Dame Olivia de Havilland], Academy of Achievement</ref>}}
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by last name ♦♦♦--->
* [[Massimo Baistrocchi]], Italian diplomat
* [[Massimo Baistrocchi]], Italian diplomat
* [[Paul Bryan (politician)|Paul Bryan]], British Conservative politician
* [[Paul Bryan (politician)|Paul Bryan]], British Conservative politician
* [[Tatsuo Hori]], Japanese writer
* [[Paul Jacoulet]], French woodblock print artist
* [[T. Canby Jones]], American professor
* [[T. Canby Jones]], American professor
* [[Neil Gordon Munro]], Scottish physician and anthropologist
* [[E. Herbert Norman]], Canadian diplomat and historian
* [[E. Herbert Norman]], Canadian diplomat and historian
* [[Tabaimo]], Japanese artist
* [[Ronald Lampman Watts]], Canadian professor
* [[Willie Weeks]], American bass guitarist
* [[Yukihiro Takahashi]], Japanese drummer
* [[Tatsuo Hori]], Japanese writer
* [[Ken Watanabe]], Japanese actor
* [[Kōji Tamaki]], Japanese singer
* [[Kōji Tamaki]], Japanese singer
* [[Yukihiro Takahashi]], Japanese drummer
* [[Towa Tei]], Japanese record producer
* [[Kazumi Watanabe]], Japanese guitarist
* [[Kazumi Watanabe]], Japanese guitarist
* [[Towa Tei]], Japanese record producer
* [[Ken Watanabe]], Japanese actor
* [[Ronald Lampman Watts]], Canadian professor
* [[Tabaimo]], Japanese artist
* [[Willie Weeks]], American bass guitarist


===Summer residents===
===Summer residents===
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by last name ♦♦♦--->
* [[Alexander Croft Shaw]], Canadian missionary
{{div col}}
* [[J. G. Waller]], Canadian missionary
* [[James Main Dixon]], Scottish professor
* [[Akihito]], Japanese emperor
* [[Ryūnosuke Akutagawa]], Japanese writer
* [[Topazia Alliata]], Italian noblewoman and painter
* [[Takeo Arishima]], Japanese writer
* [[Prince Yasuhiko Asaka]], member of the Japanese imperial family
* [[Tarō Asō]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Edgar Bancroft]], American diplomat
* [[Edward Bickersteth (bishop of South Tokyo)|Edward Bickersteth]], Anglican missionary
* [[Edward Bickersteth (bishop of South Tokyo)|Edward Bickersteth]], Anglican missionary
* [[Walter Weston]], English missionary
* [[Hannah Riddell]], English missionary
* [[Hugh Fraser (diplomat)|Hugh Fraser]], English diplomat
* [[Bernard Leach]], British studio potter
* [[Francis Brinkley]], Anglo-Irish editor
* [[Francis Brinkley]], Anglo-Irish editor
* [[Walter de Havilland]], English patent attorney
* [[Robert L. Eichelberger]], American general officer
* [[Ichikawa Ennosuke III]], Japanese kabuki actor
* [[John Lennon]], English musician
* [[August Karl Reischauer]], American missionary
* [[Mary Eddy Kidder]], American missionary
* [[Edwin O. Reischauer]], American diplomat
* [[Edgar Bancroft]], American diplomat
* [[William J. Sebald]], American diplomat
* [[Joseph Grew]], American diplomat
* [[Joseph Grew]], American diplomat
* [[Robert L. Eichelberger]], American general officer
* [[Walter de Havilland]], English patent attorney
* [[Donald Keene]], American writer and professor
* [[James Main Dixon]], Scottish professor
* [[Hugh Fraser (diplomat)|Hugh Fraser]], English diplomat
* [[Merrell Vories Hitotsuyanagi]], American architect
* [[Antonin Raymond]], Czech-American architect
* [[Beate Sirota Gordon]], Austrian-born American performing arts presenter
* [[Matsumoto Hakuō II]], Japanese kabuki actor
* [[Roman Rosen]], Russian baron and diplomat
* [[Leo Sirota]], Ukrainian-born Jewish pianist
* [[Ichirō Hatoyama]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Shigeaki Hinohara]], Japanese physician
* [[Beate Sirota Gordon]], Austrian-born American performing arts presenter
* [[Fosco Maraini]], Italian photographer
* [[Topazia Alliata]], Italian noblewoman and painter
* [[Dacia Maraini]], Italian writer
* [[Hirohito]], Japanese emperor
* [[Hirohito]], Japanese emperor
* [[Akihito]], Japanese emperor
* [[Naruhito]], Japanese emperor
* [[Empress Michiko]], Japanese empress
* [[Empress Masako]], Japanese empress
* [[Prince Yasuhiko Asaka]], member of the Japanese imperial family
* [[Ōkuma Shigenobu]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Fumimaro Konoe]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Ichirō Hatoyama]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Eisaku Satō]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Morihiro Hosokawa]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Morihiro Hosokawa]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Tarō Asō]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Shōjirō Ishibashi]], Japanese businessman
* [[Akio Morita]], Japanese businessman
* [[Yoshiaki Tsutsumi]], Japanese businessman
* [[Masayoshi Son]], Korean-Japanese businessman
* [[Sadako Ogata]], Japanese professor
* [[Nitobe Inazō]], Japanese author
* [[Nitobe Inazō]], Japanese author
* [[Takeo Arishima]], Japanese writer
* [[Shōjirō Ishibashi]], Japanese businessman
* [[Ryūnosuke Akutagawa]], Japanese writer
* [[Arata Isozaki]], Japanese architect
* [[Yasunari Kawabata]], Japanese writer
* [[Yasunari Kawabata]], Japanese writer
* [[Donald Keene]], American writer and professor
* [[Mary Eddy Kidder]], American missionary
* [[Kunihiko Kodaira]], Japanese mathematician
* [[Kunihiko Kodaira]], Japanese mathematician
* [[Shigeaki Hinohara]], Japanese physician
* [[Fumimaro Konoe]], Japanese prime minister
* [[D. T. Suzuki]], Japanese Buddhist monk
* [[Bernard Leach]], British studio potter
* [[John Lennon]], English musician
* [[Dacia Maraini]], Italian writer
* [[Fosco Maraini]], Italian photographer
* [[Empress Masako]], Japanese empress
* [[Empress Michiko]], Japanese empress
* [[Akio Morita]], Japanese businessman
* [[Naruhito]], Japanese emperor
* [[Sadako Ogata]], Japanese professor
* [[Yoko Ono]], Japanese artist
* [[Yoko Ono]], Japanese artist
* [[Arata Isozaki]], Japanese architect
* [[Antonin Raymond]], Czech-American architect
* [[August Karl Reischauer]], American missionary
* [[Edwin O. Reischauer]], American diplomat
* [[Hannah Riddell]], English missionary
* [[Roman Rosen]], Russian baron and diplomat
* [[Junzo Sakakura]], Japanese architect
* [[Junzo Sakakura]], Japanese architect
* [[Matsumoto Hakuō II]], Japanese kabuki actor
* [[Eisaku Satō]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Ichikawa Ennosuke III]], Japanese kabuki actor
* [[William J. Sebald]], American diplomat
* [[Alexander Croft Shaw]], Canadian missionary
* [[Ōkuma Shigenobu]], Japanese prime minister
* [[Leo Sirota]], Ukrainian-born Jewish pianist
* [[Masayoshi Son]], Korean-Japanese businessman
* [[D. T. Suzuki]], Japanese Buddhist monk
* [[Yoshiaki Tsutsumi]], Japanese businessman
* [[Merrell Vories Hitotsuyanagi]], American architect
* [[J. G. Waller]], Canadian missionary
* [[Walter Weston]], English missionary
* [[Sayuri Yoshinaga]], Japanese actress
* [[Sayuri Yoshinaga]], Japanese actress
{{div col end}}


===Evacuees of World War II===
===Evacuees of World War II===
* [[Widar Bagge]], Swedish diplomat
* [[Leonid Kreutzer]], Russian-born Jewish pianist
* [[Alexander Mogilevsky]], Ukrainian violinist
* [[Victor Pokrovsky]], Russian choral directer
* [[Varvara Bubnova]], Russian painter
* [[Varvara Bubnova]], Russian painter
* [[Victor Starffin]], Russian baseball player
* [[Manfred Gurlitt]], German conductor
* [[Klaus Pringsheim Sr.]], German conductor
* [[Eta Harich-Schneider]], German harpsichordist
* [[Karlfried Graf Dürckheim]], German diplomat and Zen master
* [[Karlfried Graf Dürckheim]], German diplomat and Zen master
* [[Joseph Rosenstock]], Polish-born American conductor
* [[Robert Guillain]], French journalist
* [[Robert Guillain]], French journalist
* [[Widar Bagge]], Swedish diplomat
* [[Francis Haar]], Hungarian socio-photographer
* [[Francis Haar]], Hungarian socio-photographer
* [[Eta Harich-Schneider]], German harpsichordist

* [[Manfred Gurlitt]], German conductor
==Climate==
* [[Leonid Kreutzer]], Russian-born Jewish pianist
Karuizawa has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb'') with warm summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Karuizawa is 8.0&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 1352&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 20.9&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around -4.2&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/nagano/karuizawa-49589/ |title=Karuizawa climate data |access-date=2019-04-30 |archive-date=2019-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321045028/https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/nagano/karuizawa-49589/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Precipitation is much heavier in the summer than in the winter.
* [[Alexander Mogilevsky]], Ukrainian violinist

* [[Victor Pokrovsky]], Russian choral director
{{Weather box|width=auto
* [[Joseph Rosenstock]], Polish-born American conductor
|location = Karuizawa
* [[Victor Starffin]], Russian baseball player
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan high C = 1.9
|Feb high C = 2.3
|Mar high C = 6.1
|Apr high C = 13.2
|May high C = 18.2
|Jun high C = 20.6
|Jul high C = 24.0
|Aug high C = 25.5
|Sep high C = 20.5
|Oct high C = 15.2
|Nov high C = 10.5
|Dec high C = 4.8
|Jan mean C = -3.9
|Feb mean C = -3.6
|Mar mean C = -0.4
|Apr mean C = 6.3
|May mean C = 11.5
|Jun mean C = 15.3
|Jul mean C = 19.0
|Aug mean C = 20.2
|Sep mean C = 15.7
|Oct mean C = 9.2
|Nov mean C = 4.1
|Dec mean C = -1.1
|Jan low C = -9.5
|Feb low C = -9.0
|Mar low C = -6.0
|Apr low C = -0.1
|May low C = 5.0
|Jun low C = 10.9
|Jul low C = 15.3
|Aug low C = 16.2
|Sep low C = 12.2
|Oct low C = 4.4
|Nov low C = -1.2
|Dec low C = -6.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 29.9
|Feb precipitation mm = 43.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 59.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 84.2
|May precipitation mm = 108.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 187.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 184.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 159.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 173.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 107.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 50.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 23.3
|Jan snow cm = 29
|Feb snow cm = 43
|Mar snow cm = 37
|Apr snow cm = 8
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 1
|Nov snow cm = 3
|Dec snow cm = 16
|Jan humidity = 74
|Feb humidity = 75
|Mar humidity = 73
|Apr humidity = 72
|May humidity = 74
|Jun humidity = 84
|Jul humidity = 87
|Aug humidity = 86
|Sep humidity = 88
|Oct humidity = 83
|Nov humidity = 77
|Dec humidity = 74
|Jan sun = 169.6
|Feb sun = 156.3
|Mar sun = 183.0
|Apr sun = 175.1
|May sun = 191.4
|Jun sun = 126.4
|Jul sun = 126.5
|Aug sun = 158.0
|Sep sun = 107.7
|Oct sun = 134.9
|Nov sun = 149.6
|Dec sun = 165.2
|source 1 = NOAA (1961–1990)<ref name="NOAA">{{Cite web |title=Karuizawa Climate Normals 1961-1990 |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/JP/47622.TXT |access-date=December 31, 2012 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref>
}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 13:22, 18 August 2024

This article is about the town. For the adventure game, see Karuizawa Yūkai Annai.
Karuizawa
軽井沢町
Town
Typical scenery of Karuizawa
Typical scenery of Karuizawa
Flag of Karuizawa
Flag
Official logo of Karuizawa
Emblem
Location of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture
Location of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture
Karuizawa is located in Japan
Karuizawa
Karuizawa
 
Coordinates: 36°20′55″N 138°35′49″E / 36.34861°N 138.59694°E / 36.34861; 138.59694
CountryJapan Japan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu)
PrefectureNagano
DistrictKitasaku
Area
 • Total156.03 km2 (60.24 sq mi)
Population
 (October 2016)
 • Total20,323
 • Density130/km2 (340/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0267-45-8111
Address2381-1 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano-ken 389-0192
ClimateDfb
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdBrown-headed thrush
FlowerSakurasō (Primula sieboldii)
TreeMagnolia kobus

Karuizawa (軽井沢町, Karuizawa-machi) is a resort town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2016, the town had an estimated population of 20,323 in 9897 households,[1] and a population density of 130 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 156.03 km2 (60.24 sq mi). Karuizawa, one of the oldest and most famous summer resorts in Japan, has been visited by many people from around the world since the 19th century.[2]

Geography

Mt.Asama seen from Karuizawa

Karuizawa is located in eastern Nagano Prefecture, bordered by Gunma Prefecture to the north, east and south. The town is located on an elevated plain at the foot of Mount Asama, one of Japan's most active volcanoes. The mountain is classed as a Category A active volcano. A small eruption was detected in June 2015, a more significant eruption spewing hot rocks and a plume of ash occurred in February 2015. Mt. Asama's most destructive eruption in recent recorded history took place in 1783, when over 1,000 were killed. The volcano is actively monitored by scientists and climbing close to the summit is prohibited.[3]

  • Usui Pass
  • Highest elevation: 2,568 m (8,425 ft) (Top of Mount Asama)
  • Lowest elevation: 798.7 m (2,620.4 ft)

Surrounding municipalities

Climate

Karuizawa has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dwb) with warm summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Karuizawa is 8.6 °C (47.5 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,246.2 mm (49.06 in) with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 20.8 °C (69.4 °F), and lowest in January, at around −3.3 °C (26.1 °F).[4] Precipitation is much heavier in the summer than in the winter.

Climate data for Karuizawa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1925–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0) 		18.8
(65.8) 		22.6
(72.7) 		28.3
(82.9) 		29.5
(85.1) 		31.1
(88.0) 		34.2
(93.6) 		33.9
(93.0) 		31.3
(88.3) 		27.7
(81.9) 		22.3
(72.1) 		20.7
(69.3) 		34.2
(93.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1) 		3.5
(38.3) 		7.8
(46.0) 		14.3
(57.7) 		19.2
(66.6) 		21.5
(70.7) 		25.3
(77.5) 		26.3
(79.3) 		21.7
(71.1) 		16.2
(61.2) 		11.2
(52.2) 		5.3
(41.5) 		14.5
(58.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.3
(26.1) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		1.1
(34.0) 		7.0
(44.6) 		12.3
(54.1) 		16.0
(60.8) 		20.1
(68.2) 		20.8
(69.4) 		16.7
(62.1) 		10.5
(50.9) 		4.8
(40.6) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		8.6
(47.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.2
(17.2) 		−8.0
(17.6) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		0.6
(33.1) 		6.3
(43.3) 		11.8
(53.2) 		16.4
(61.5) 		17.1
(62.8) 		13.0
(55.4) 		6.3
(43.3) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		−5.3
(22.5) 		3.8
(38.8)
Record low °C (°F) −20.3
(−4.5) 		−19.6
(−3.3) 		−21.0
(−5.8) 		−11.6
(11.1) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		5.0
(41.0) 		7.0
(44.6) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		−6.5
(20.3) 		−11.8
(10.8) 		−18.0
(−0.4) 		−21.0
(−5.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 36.8
(1.45) 		36.8
(1.45) 		68.3
(2.69) 		81.0
(3.19) 		108.8
(4.28) 		154.6
(6.09) 		191.8
(7.55) 		141.6
(5.57) 		193.5
(7.62) 		151.1
(5.95) 		52.5
(2.07) 		29.6
(1.17) 		1,246.2
(49.06)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 44
(17) 		38
(15) 		33
(13) 		5
(2.0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1
(0.4) 		19
(7.5) 		141
(56)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 5.2 5.3 8.4 8.9 9.9 12.6 14.8 11.5 11.4 9.3 5.9 5.0 108.2
Average snowy days (≥ 1 cm) 9.2 8.7 6.1 0.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.3 4.9 30
Average relative humidity (%) 76 74 72 70 75 85 87 87 89 87 80 78 80
Mean monthly sunshine hours 181.6 191.8 194.8 204.6 198.5 144.8 138.6 162.7 126.6 140.3 162.5 171.9 2,022
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[5][4]

History

From Hiroshige's series Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido (1834–1842), view 19 and station 18 at Karuisawa
Alexander Croft Shaw
Karuizawa Union Church, before 1945
Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza (Main Street), 1930s
Karuizawa Foreigner's Cemetery

The area of present-day Karuizawa was part of ancient Shinano Province, and developed as Karuisawa-shuku, a post station on the Nakasendō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto during the Edo period.

  • August 2, 1876: The hamlets of Kutsukake, Shiozawanitta, Karijuku, Narusawanitta, and Yui merged to form the village of Nagakura. The village of Hatsuji in Saku District absorbed the hamlet of Matorikaya.
  • January 14, 1879: Kitasaku District was created, and the town of Usuitoge, and the villages of Karuizawa, Nagakura, Oiwake were established with Kitasaku District.
  • 1886: Canadian Anglican missionary Rev. Alexander Croft Shaw and Tokyo Imperial University English professor James Main Dixon introduced Karuizawa as a summer resort.
  • April 1, 1889: With the establishment of the modern municipalities system, the town of Usuitoge, and the villages of Karuizawa, and the areas of the former villages of Kutsukake, Shiozawanitta, and Karijuku from the village of Nagakura merged to form the village of Higashinagakura in Kitasaku District, and the areas of the former villages of Narusawanitta and Yui in the village of Nagakura, and the villages of Hatsuji and Oiwake merged to form the village of Nishinagakura in Kitasaku District.
  • 1910s: Begins to attract the attention of other expatriates and Japanese.[6] Specially Germans congregate here, language professors and academics hold annual conferences.
  • August 1, 1923: The village of Higashinagakura gains town status to become the town of Karuizawa. (The pre-town areas before gaining the town status is known as Kyu-Karuizawa.)
  • May 8, 1942: The village of Nishinagakura is merged into Karuizawa.
  • 1942–45: Site of an internment camp for enemy foreigners and diplomats during World War 2
  • From 1943 relocation of an increasing number of Germans from Tokyo, which is suffering from US fire bombing. The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers deported most German nationals in late 1947.
  • 1951: Selected as International Cultural and Tourism City
  • February 1, 1957: Karuizawa absorbed Serizawa area from the former village of Goga, which was absorbed by the town of Miyota.
  • April 1, 1959: The Kajikazawa area of the former village of Oiwake was split off and merged with the town of Miyota.
  • 1964: 1964 Summer Olympics (Equestrian)
  • February 1972: Asama-Sanso incident; Police besiege communist militants holed up in holiday resort after mass killing and hostage taking.
  • October 1, 1997: The Nagano Shinkansen opens, serving Karuizawa.
  • 1998: 1998 Winter Olympics (Curling)
  • 2004: Mount Asama erupts.
  • 2016: The G7 Transport Ministers' Meeting
  • 2019: The G20 Energy and Environment Ministers' Meeting
  • 2023: G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in conjunction with the G7 Summit[7]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[8] the population of Karuizawa has been increasing over the past 60 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 8,746—    
1950 13,676+56.4%
1960 13,299−2.8%
1970 13,373+0.6%
1980 14,195+6.1%
1990 15,464+8.9%
2000 16,181+4.6%
2010 19,023+17.6%
2020 19,188+0.9%

Economy

Since one of the origins of the Seibu Group is in Karuizawa (see also Yasujiro Tsutsumi), Seibu is still developing big businesses in this town such as Prince Hotels.

Hoshino Resorts is headquartered in Karuizawa.[9]

Education

Karuizawa has three public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town government, and one public high school is operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education. The UWC ISAK Japan international school is also located in the town.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

International relations

Local attractions

Shaw Memorial Church
Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza
Kumoba Pond
Mikasa Street
Shiraito Falls

With its comparatively cool summer weather, its cold refreshing nights, its heavy air-clearing showers, its southern aspect, and its position close to some of the most picturesque mountain scenery of Japan, Karuizawa leaves little to be desired as a summer retreat.

— Cargill Gilston Knott, "Notes on the Summer Climate of Karuizawa", 1891[11]

... while quite recently even Japanese gentlemen of high degree have begun to build houses and introduce their families. As in so many other cases, the world followed the lead of the missionaries. Foreigners are now the raison d’étre of Karuizawa, and no echo of Feudalism haunts the hills.

— Ernest Foxwell, "A Tale of Karuizawa", 1903[12]

Karuizawa, the most popular summer resort in the whole of the Far East […] .

— Arthur Lloyd, "Every-day Japan", 1909[13]

Karuizawa was developed as a European-style resort town by a Scottish-Canadian missionary in 1888. In the following decades, the town attracted visitors from across the country seeking to escape the heat of summer and enjoy vacations, as well as a significant number of Westerners. Unlike many other hill stations, Karuizawa was actively open to the natives from the beginning, and many Japanese scholars, artists and others had already built "Western-style" villas in the town by the early 20th century. The Japanese and Western communities interacted well with each other through summer recreation activities and the like.[14] In the 21st century the town retains significant Western cultural influence,[15][16] and its alpine beauty and cool summer climate (similar to parts of Europe) continue to draw visitors.

More recently, Karuizawa has become a popular year-round resort for mainly Japanese, offering many outdoor sports, hot springs and recreational activities. Convenient road and rail access from central Tokyo has ensured Karuizawa's popularity as a location for second homes and resort hotels since the Meiji era.

Karuizawa is known for its historic shopping street known as "Ginza dōri" or "Kyū-dō" (Ginza Street, or the Old Road) and association with both Japanese royalty and visitors such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono.[17] As a side note, The Crown Prince Akihito met Michiko Shoda for the first time on a tennis court in Karuizawa in August 1957,[18] and John Lennon spent several summers in Karuizawa with his family in the late 1970s.[19]

Karuizawa hosted equestrian events in the 1964 Summer Olympics as well as curling in the 1998 Winter Olympics. It is the first city in the world to host both Summer and Winter Olympic events.[20]

Since 1997, Karuizawa has been accessible via the JR East Nagano Shinkansen. New high speed rail links has resulted in modest population growth and the development of large outlet style shopping malls.

Karuizawa appeared in a part of the film.
The model of the mansion that appeared in the film is the villa in Karuizawa.
The story is based on the premise that Sherlock Holmes was in Karuizawa in the "missing years (1891–1894)".
Episodes 15 and 16 are set in Karuizawa.

Notable residents

And now I am writing in the most lovely study in the world. Over my head the pine branches meet in arches of kindly green ; […].

— Mary Crawford Fraser, "A Diplomatist's Wife in Japan: Letters from Home to Home", 1899[21]

There followed a delightful few days in Karuizawa, our last for the summer. Douglas Fairbanks was a most acceptable guest, […].

— Joseph Grew, Private diary, 1932[22]

Summers in Karuizawa were not just a break in the year but seemed a whole lifetime in themselves. I have far more memories of the minutiae of life there than I do of the much longer periods of time spent in Tokyo.

— Edwin O. Reischauer, "My Life Between Japan and America", 1986[23]

Karuizawa is an old summer resort in Japan very much like the Hamptons except it's in the mountains. There is a coffee house in a pine forest near Karuizawa. John & I fell in love with the place, and found ourselves going there almost every day with Sean.

— Yoko Ono, "THE LIGHTER", 2000[24][25]

They (Olivia's parents) had two properties up in Karuizawa in the mountains for the summer. People fled Tokyo in the summer because the heat is quite extreme.

— Olivia de Havilland, Interview, 2006[26]

Summer residents

Evacuees of World War II

References

  1. ^ Karuizawa Town official statistics Archived 2019-03-31 at the Wayback Machine(in Japanese)
  2. ^ Shotenkenchiku-sha, HOTEL RESTAURANTS & BARS, 1995, p.15
  3. ^ Demetriou, Danielle (16 June 2015). "Mount Asama volcano erupts near Tokyo". The Telegraph.
  4. ^ a b 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  5. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  6. ^ Tohoku: The Scotland of Japan, p. 181
  7. ^ "G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano". Foreign Policy. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Karuizawa population statistics". Archived from the original on 2019-04-30. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  9. ^ "Company Overview of Hoshino Resort Co., Ltd. (Archive). Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved on September 22, 2013. "2148, oazanagakura karuizawa-machi Kitasaku, 389-0111 Japan"
  10. ^ a b "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  11. ^ Cargill Gilston Knott, “On the Summer Climate of Karuizawa”, Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, Vol. XIX, Ginza: Hakubunsha, 1891, p.574
  12. ^ Ernest Foxwell, A Tale of Karuizawa, The Living Age, Vol. 236, Boston : Living Age Company, 1903, p.107
  13. ^ Arthur Lloyd, Every-day Japan, London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne: Cassell and Company Limited, 1909, p.281
  14. ^ Anne Shannon, Lana Okerlund, "Finding Japan: Early Canadian Encounters with Asia”, p.56, Heritage House, 2012.
  15. ^ Edging Toward Japan: My Karuizawa Dreams, The Mainichi, February 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Resort town links East with West, The Japan Times, May 5, 2019.
  17. ^ Davis, Tony (8 May 2015). "Nakasendo walking trail leads to the heart of old Japan – and bear country". The Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  18. ^ Former emperor, empress visit Karuizawa tennis court where they first met in 1957 The Japan Times, Aug 25, 2019.
  19. ^ William Horsley, Roger Buckley, "Nippon New Superpower: Japan Since 1945”, p.85, BBC Books, 1990.
  20. ^ “The Olympian Volume 24", p.29, United States Olympic Committee, 1998.
  21. ^ Mrs. Hugh Fraser, A Diplomatist's Wife in Japan: Letters from Home to Home, Vol. II, London: Hazell, Watson and Viney, 1899, p.53
  22. ^ A golfers' paradise, Asian Turfgrass Center.
  23. ^ Karuizawa, c. 1920. Archived 2021-04-11 at the Wayback MachineOld Tokyo.com
  24. ^ James Henke, "Lennon: His Life and Work”, p.11, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, 2000.
  25. ^ Yoko Ono (April 1, 2021), Twitter
  26. ^ Dame Olivia de Havilland, Academy of Achievement
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