K

A

R

U

I

Z

A

W

A

C

Concerto of the Winds

Published by: Karuizawa Town
Published date: July 2018
Produced and Printed by: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.

Karuizawa Town Guidebook 2018

Karuizawa Town Guidebook
95th Anniversar y
Commemorative Edition

O

N

C

E

R

T

K ARUIZAWA
Concer to of the Winds

2 0 18
Karuizawa Town Guidebook
95th Anniversary
Commemorative EditionOWelcome to

Karuizawa,a healing highland resort.

Karuizawa is a highland resort town nestled in thefoothills of Mt. Asama, one of the most representative
volcanoes in Japan. Although it is only 100 km and a
1-hour bullet train ride away from Tokyo, the town
enjoys a cool highland climate and a relaxing woodlandenvironment. Its climate and culture have attracted
many people from all over the world and Karuizawa hasdeveloped into an international health resort for morethan 130 years. Karuizawa takes pride in its beautiful
scenery which is a gift from mother nature. This pristine
gift has been preserved and nurtured with care by its
residents. We are working together to further enhance
its v ir tue a nd create a future where Ka r uizawa isrecognized and acknowledged as a“Harmonized Town
of Nature and Culture”. We want to make our town
even more attractive for both of citizens and visitors insearch of healing and relaxation. We would like to show
you our continuing efforts to create a new culture forthat purpose.

Karuizawa Citizen’s Charter

Established on the 50th anniversary of the town’s establishment on 1 August 1973

We are the people of Kar uizawa , a highland town
embracing magnificent Mt. Asama. We hereby establish
this charter on the basis of a global perspective and afo r e s i g ht s u it a b l e to t h e r e s i d e nt s i n a Tow n o f
International Goodwill, Culture and Tourism.
Let’s maintain a clean environment and good manner thatallows us to be proud in the world.
Let’s welcome all visitors warmly.
Let’s develop our rich traditions and culture.
Let’s love and preserve the rich nature of the highland.
Let’s raise healthy families and develop a vibrant town.

01

Concerto of the Winds, the 1st Movement - Andante Calcando

The colorful hues of thefour seasons are gifts fromMother Naturetemperature
℃
20
15
10

-3.1℃
41ｍｍ

5
0
-5

temperature

20.5℃
159ｍｍ
Average temperature 19.5℃
189ｍｍ
Precipitation
15.6℃
16.3℃
156ｍｍ
207ｍｍ
11.8℃
111ｍｍ
10.0℃
6.8℃
120ｍｍ
78ｍｍ
0.5℃
68ｍｍ

℃
20

Precipitation

15

mm
250

10

200

4.4℃
54ｍｍ
-0.7℃
27ｍｍ

-3.5℃
33ｍｍ

100

-5

Other

0

31.04㎢

Residential
area
23.21㎢

0.5℃
68ｍｍ

6.8℃
78ｍｍ

Precipitation
mm
250
200

120ｍｍ
4.4℃
54ｍｍ

150
-0.7℃
27ｍｍ

-3.5℃
33ｍｍ

0

50

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

-3.1℃
41ｍｍ

5

150

20.5℃
159ｍｍ
19.5℃
189ｍｍ
15.6℃
16.3℃
156ｍｍ
207ｍｍ
11.8℃
111ｍｍ
10.0℃

Average temperature
Precipitation

100
50

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

0

Data source: Nagano Local Meteorological Oﬃce

Agricultural
area

6.04㎢

Data source: Nagano Local Meteorological Oﬃce
Plains area
9.11㎢

Forested area
86.63㎢

temperature℃
20
15

Niigata

Karuizawa Profile

10
Joetsu Shinkansen

Karuizawa

Hokuriku
Expressway

NaganoExpressway

Kyoto

0

02

Shin-osaka
Osaka

NagoyaMeishin
Expressway

Other

Nagoya IC

Tomei
Expressway
TokaidoShinkansen

Residential
area
23.21㎢

people20,000Agriculturalarea

19,000

6.04㎢

Tokyo

9.11㎢

6.8℃
78ｍｍ

Total area
156.03㎢

18,000Forested area

16,00017,00086.63㎢

15,000Other

31.04㎢

150
-0.7℃
27ｍｍ

-3.5℃
33ｍｍ

100

ClimateData
50(1981-2010 averages)

8,479

2000
2005
2010
2015
2017
Residential1995
area
Data source: National Census ‒ Data for 2017 from Monthly
23.21㎢
Agricultural
Survey on
Demographic Changes, Nagano Prefecture
area
6.04㎢

Plains area

200

4.4℃
54ｍｍ

Kanazawa
Higashi IC

ToyamaToyama IC

Nagano

Hoku
Shink

20.5℃
KaruizKanazawa
159ｍｍ
households
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average temperature 19.5℃
peoplehouseholds
19,018Nagano189ｍｍ
Joush
temperature
Precipitation
10,00018,994
Precipitation
Data source:
NaganoLocal Meteorological Oﬃce
Expressway
8,082
Expre
Hokuriku
15.6℃
8,247
℃
mm
16.3℃
Expressway
156ｍｍ
207ｍｍ
9,000
20
250
11.8℃
111ｍｍ
10.0℃
17,144
Chuo
6.8℃
8,000
15
200
15,345120ｍｍ
6,752
Expressway
78ｍｍ
16,181people
0.5℃
4.4℃
Tomei
6,203
7,000
10
150
68ｍｍ
5,657
54ｍｍ
Expressw-3.1℃
households
Nagoya IC
41ｍｍ
Nagoya 100
6,000
5
-0.7℃
Kyoto
Tokaido
27ｍｍ-3.5℃
Meishin
Shinkansen
5,000
0 33ｍｍ50
Expressway-50Distance from east to west : 12.5 km
Distance from north to south: 14.0 km
Circumference: 		58.7 km

mm
250

120ｍｍ

Population and number of households 19,093

31.04㎢

Plains area

00

Kitakanto
Expressway

Joushin-etsu
Expressway

Chuo
Expressway

0

Area

Kan-etsu
Expressway

0.5℃
68ｍｍ

Precipitation▲0

NaganoKanazawa

East longitude: 138°35´′50˝″North latitude: 36°20´′54˝″Elevation above sea level: 938 m

00

Toyama IC

Hokuriku
Shinkansen▲eholdsKanazawa
Higashi IC

Toyama▲▲Location（Town Office）

2381-1 Nagakura, Karuizawamachi,
Kitasakugun, Naganoken

-3.1℃
41ｍｍ

5
0

20.5℃
159ｍｍ
19.5℃
189ｍｍ
15.6℃
16.3℃
156ｍｍ
207ｍｍ
11.8℃
111ｍｍ
10.0℃

Average temperature
Precipitation

0

0

-5

Shin-osaka
Osaka

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

0

Data source: Nagano Local Meteorological Oﬃce

03

Concerto of the Winds, the 1st Movement - Andante Calcando

Mt. Asama's Natural Environment

Nourishing streams flow through the forests.
People and nature live together
in harmony, creating a healing space.
Karuizawa’s charm as a health resort is rooted in its beautiful naturalenvironment.
Karuizawa Town is located in a highland which spreads out through the foothills
south of Mt. Asama, 900 meters above sea level. Abundant water flows out here andthere from underground springs and flows down the foothills, creating views ofbreathtakingly beautiful waterfalls and streams. The streams give life to the woods
and the woods give life to the various species of creatures which live there.
Karuizawa National Wild Birds Sanctuary Forest to begin with as well as thesurrounding area is known as one of the finest habitats for birds in Japan, and manysmall animals like monkeys and squirrels inhabit in the woods.
One of Karuizawa’s charms is the way in which people’s lives and nature co-exist
so closely that we feel in harmony with the environment and nature of
Karuizawa. Just by strolling along one of the town’s easy trails, you can enjoy
seeing the mountain streams and falls, and also meeting little birds and small
animals. The beautiful nature and the animals living there forms its charm as ahealth resort and attracts people in search of healing.

Morning Mist on a Pond

Shinanojishizenyuhodo Trail

04

Ryugaeshi Falls

Sengataki Falls

The garden of Muro Saisei Memorial Hall

Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Karuizawa National
Wild Bird Sanctuary Forest)

Seseraginomichi Trail

05

Concerto of the Winds, the 1st Movement - Andante Calcando

The Early Modern Era・An aspect of a Post Town

A spirit of hospitality developed in the mountain pass stations
In the Edo period, in Karuizawa, there were three post towns
along “Nakasendo (also called Kisokaido)” which connected

Asama Negoshinosanshuku (three post towns)
on the foothills of Mt. Asama
were crowded with people
travelling to andfrom Edo and Kyoto.

Kyoto and Edo (now called Tokyo). These post towns, Karuizawa,
Kutsukake and Oiwake were called “Asama Negoshinosanshuku”
as they were on the cool southern foothills of Mt. Asama. Coming
through a toughest part of the journey, Usui Pass, this area was
the gateway to Shinanonokuni (present Nagano pref.). In thewestern part of Oiwake, the stone monument of “Wakasare” can still be seen which marked the turn-off fromthe “Nakasendo” to the “Hokkokukaido” route leading to the Japan Sea. Located at this important junction,these three post towns were always bustling with lots of travelers. Karuizawa is a town that has been
welcoming many travelers since Edo period. This long tradition of “hospitality” led to a pleasant welcome forforeign visitors since entering the modern era and became base of the today’s prosperity.

The turn-off from the “Nakasendo” to “Hokkokukaido” route

Shinano Oiwake Magouta Dochu Festival

The old facades of some travelers' inns still remain in
Kyukaruginza Street

Wood block prints of the Three Post Towns on the foothills of Mt. Asama from “The 69 Post Stations of the Kisokaido”. From the top, Kutsukake (Eisen), Oiwake

06(Eisen), and on the right, Karuizawa (Hiroshige).

Kumanokotai Shrine at the top of old Usui Pass07

Concerto of the Winds, the 1st Movement - Andante Calcando

The Modern Era・Steps to a Resort Town

Discovered by Rev. A.C.Shaw in 1886
Becoming an International Health Resort“A Hospital without a Roof” – Being attracted by the beautiful village
In 1884, by opening the New Usui Road (former R18) Karuizawa ended its days as a post
statoin town, but it also brought Rev. Alexander Croft Shaw, a Canadian-born the Anglican
Church missionary to the town. In the summer of 1886, on visiting Karuizawa, he praised its
beautiful, refreshing surroundings and cool climate as “A hospital without a roof”. Then herecommended it to his family and friends. In 1888, he built a simple summer house in
Kyukaruizawa. It marked the start of Karuizawa’s new history as a health resort.
At first, foreign missionaries and their families built their summer houses, followed by
writers, people of culture, politicians and business leaders. Later, modern hotels were also
built to accommodate the visitors who came for relaxation. Large scale development took
place before and after World WarⅡ, and the town flourished as a health resort where one
can enjoy sports such as golf, tennis and skating. The town’s original spirit of maintaining“the good public manners and the pure environment” which the missionaries expected has
been kept up to this day.

Shaw Memorial Church and Monument to Rev. A.C.Shaw

1913 - Kyukaruginza Street

1897 - In front of a haiku monument to Matsuo Basho

Rev.A.C.Shaw’s first summer house (now moved and restored),
A.C.Shaw Memorial House

1971 - Kyukaruginza Street

08

National Important Cultural Property, Former Mikasa Hotel09

Concerto of the Winds, the 1st Movement - Andante Calcando

A Gathering Place for Writers

Fresh winds blowing across the highlands
stimulate our intuition, creating a stage
for the imagination and a space for art
Writers and Poets who Loved Karuizawa
From the Taisyo Era to the beginning of the Showa Era and in the years after World War
II, many writers and poets visited Karuizawa. Among them were the husband and wife,
Yosano Hiroshi and Akiko, Kitahara Hakushu, Muro Saisei, Akutagawa Ryunosuke,
Kawabata Yasunari, Hori Tatsuo, Tachihara Michizo, Nakamura Shinichiro... the list includes

Hori Tatsuo Museum of Literature

many prominent names representative of modern Japanese literature. Some of these writers
first stayed in hotels and inns, then later built their own mountain villas and visited
Karuizawa almost every year. Karuizawa appears as the background of many of theirworks. Many fans enjoy tracing the steps of the writers by visiting the literary monuments
dotting the town as well as the houses of Muro Saisei and Hori Tatsuo which are open to
the public as commemorative museums.
Art lovers also enjoy Karuizawa, due to the astonishing number of art galleries andmuseums offering a wide variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions throughout theyear. It is a place where the harmony between nature, art and people’s lives fosters thecreation of literature and works of art.

The Literary Museum of Karuizawa

Poem Monument to Kitahara Hakushu

Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa

Photo: Ano Taichi © Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa

10
Muro Saisei Memorial House

Sezon Museum of Modern Art

11“Kofukunotani”, where Kawabata Yasunari’s summer house was locatedConcerto of the Winds, the 1st Movement - Andante Calcando

An International Health Resort

2 Olympic Games, the G7 andG20 Ministers’ Meeting…
Becoming a Town that Warmly Welcomesthe People of the WorldA Resort Conference Town where People from Troughtout the World Get
Together
As far back as the Meiji Era, foreigners were already attracted to Karuizawa as ahealth resort, although it was quite rare to find such an internationally welcoming
local town in those days. After World War Ⅱ, in 1951, “Act on Construction of
Karuizawa as Town of International Goodwill, Culture and Tourism” wasproclaimed which was applied only to Karuizawa. Many people from throughout
the world gathered here as the town hosted the Equestrian competition of theTokyo Summer Olympic Games in 1964 and the Nagano Winter Olympic curlingcompetition in 1998.
In September 2016, the ministers from Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
the UK, the USA and the EU met in Karuizawa for the G7 Transport Ministers’Meeting, and the “G7 Karuizawa Nagano Transport Ministers’ Declaration” wasissued from here to all over the world. “G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy
Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth” is also scheduled tobe held here in 2019.
Many people now come to Karuizawa from overseas as well as within Japan forrest and relaxation, but the town is also becoming a popular venue for resort
conferences. The town is expected to further flourish by people both domesticallyand internationally.

1964 Tokyo Olympics Equestrian Competition

12

1998 Nagano Winter Olympics Curling Competition

2016 G7 Transport Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano

1936 - Many foreigners joined a commemorative parade held tocelebrate the 50th anniversary of the development of Karuizawa

13

Concerto of the Winds, the 1st Movement - Andante Calcando

Sister City Relations

Concerto of the Winds, the 2nd Movement - Andante Cantabile

Canada / Brazil

Whistler
CanadaKaruizawa established a sister city tie
in 1999 with Whistler, a city with apopulation of around 9,800, situated in
the western part of Canada. Blessedwith beautiful natural surroundings,
Whistler is a world-famous resort that
attracts some 2.50 million visitors
annually. Every year, student homestay exchanges and other programs aretaking place between our two cities.

Sowing the Seeds of the
Future – Interviews

Preparing a Rich
Harvest for the
Town in 100 Years!
The small summer house that Rev. A.
C.Shaw built in Karuizawa in 1888 was
the initial seed for the international healthresort that is our town today. The maini n f luenc e s i nc lude t he for mer M i k a s aHotel that used to host prominent figuresfrom the worlds of business and politics,
the renowned writers of modern literature
who loved Kar uizawa, and the summer
and winter Olympics venues we provided.
It could be said that Karuizawa is now
enjoying the ripened fruit of trees planted
long ago.
What can our generation leave to thecitizens of Karuizawa of 50 or 100 years

Campos do Jordão
BrazilKaruizawa joined hands with Campos
do Jordão which is situated on ahighland in Brazil as sister cities infrom now? Sowing the seeds which willbring rich harvest in the future...

Then

what kind of seeds can we sow now?
To find out, let us interview some people
who a re play ing act ive roles here in avariety of fields and Mayor Fujimaki.

1968. Having a 1600m altitude, it is aninternational resort with a cool climate,despite Brazil having an image as a hot
country.

14

15

Concerto of the Winds, the 2nd Movement — Andante Cantabile

not only for the audience but also for us, music performers.

​— Do you have any suggestions or advices to make music

In this way, we can give good musical performances to theculture root in Karuizawa?

audiences. In fact, I once recorded a CD there.
The Duranti Stradivarius

Sowing the Seeds of the Future – Interviews①The Potential of Music

Even the most delicate sounds can be heard in Ohga Hall.
There is some music that can’t be played anywhere but there.
Violinist Ms. Senju Mariko

I think it’ll take root thanks to Ohga Hall. The hall is

The reason I chose Ohga Hall for recording was not only

very popular among musicians and high-quality concerts

the sound quality but also the easy access which washave been taken place there. Unlike big cities, the town

quite a big element. I want to feel Karuizawa air, thehas so many other enjoyable things to complement thebreath of nature, and take the power of this nature intomusic. For example, some people who come for a concert

my sensibility. There is a kind of air here that helps me get

may drop in on one of the many little galleries andready for the performance without intention. In that sense,

museums. Karuizawa can offer visitors a nice environment

Karuizawa is a very good place.

to enjoy the arts.

—Does it suit your Stradivarius?

—What kind of activities do you expect to happen in order to

The Stradivarius is a very difficult violin to get the bestout of. In other words when things go well, I can express
very exactly what I imagine. That’s the Strasvarius.

utilize Ohga Hall well?
Ohga Hall has wonderful sound effect and it is especiallygood at bringing out the resonance of string instruments.

Ohga Hall and the Stravidarius violin go so fantastically

So, I would like audiences to hear a lot of string music

Ohga Hall is a wonderful concert hall that has its own

well together. Ohga Hall’s acoustics convey the mostconcerts here. I personally would love to do a joint concert

The first memory is when I was 13, in my second year of

unique atmosphere. The seats surround the stage and thesubtle shifts and nuances of the music which I succeed inwith a harpsichord here. In a concert hall like Ohga Hall

junior high school. I played the violin here with the New

number of seats is just right. Its sound effect is wonderful.

expressing exactly as I want to audiences.

with good sound effect, even the most sensitive sounds ofJapan Philharmonic in which Mr.Yamamoto Naozumi

My impression is… That’s Mr. Ohga for you.

—Tell us about your relationship with Karuizawa, yourmemories and the impression you have been left with?

—What do you think of Oga Hall as a place to perform?

instruments like the harpsichord would be thoroughly

conducted. It was an open-air concert at a summer music

Especially, when I play there I can hear my own music

festival and I have a very impressive memory partly due

clearly. That is the most important point for music

to the atmosphere Mr.Yamamoto created. For me,

players. There are some music halls where performers

When I performed in Karuizawa for the first time at that

Karuizawa is a town filled with music, and a place where

can’t hear our own sounds well because the sounds get

outdoor concert in my junior high school days, the relaxingclassic music can be heard here and there… I, who was ascattered or are absorbed inside. Because the main target

and fun atmosphere of the audience left a deep impression

junior high school student then, got that kind of image.

is set on how the audience hears the music, how it is heard

on me... perhaps the warmth of Mother Nature?

on the stage is regarded as secondary importance in thethat’s when the bond between nature and music started

designing stage for those halls. So that we have a

becoming a part of the way I think. Nature really doeschallenging time even at halls which have good

give birth to a great amount of art.

reputations. In that sense, Ohga Hall is a very good hall

—What kind of influence does the atmosphere of Karuizawa

picked up and be delivered vividly to audiences.

give to creative activities such as arts?

I think there must be a lot of interesting things that could
only be done at Ohga Hall. Try them one by one andmore and more music lovers will come.

I guess

Karuizawa is not only about nature. It’s an easy place tolive in and there are a lot of arts, too. It’s a good size andwell-balanced town. I can see why artists love to comeand live here while they develop a desire to continue theirartistic activities.

Mr. Ohga Norio (passed away in 2011) Former chairmanof SONY Corporation and the Tokyo Philharmonic
Orchestra. An honorary citizen of Karuizawa Town.

Karuizawa Ohga Hall
Mr. Ohga built and donated it to Karuizawa Town in 2004 with the
purpose of promoting the music culture in Karuizawa.

Senju Mariko
Born in Tokyo in 1962, she started playing the violin when she was just
2 years old and made her professional debut at the age of 12. In 1977,
she became the youngest first prize winner at the Music Competition ofJapan and two years later, the youngest prize winner at the International
Violin Competition Premio Paganini. In 2002 she had a momentous
encounter with the Duranti Stradivarius violin. She vibrantly engages in a
number of different types of performances as a violinist both within andoutside Japan, and positively participates in social activities. Her brothers
are Senju Hiroshi, a Japanese painter and Senju Akira, a composer.

1617

Concerto of the Winds, the 2nd Movement — Andante Cantabile

Sowing the Seeds of the Future② Sports Culture

I want to spread the curling culture throughout Japan from Karuizawa
and contribute to the training and development of our athletes.
SC Karuizawa Club Mr. Morozumi Yusuke—It seems that you got interested in curling while watchinginteresting aspects of curling and it’s why the sport is said

the Nagano Olympics.

to be like Chess and Shogi. When you’re watching a

I was so impressed when I saw curling for the first timeat the Nagano Olympics in 1998 that I joined Karuizawa

curling match on TV, you can even hear what the players
are saying to each other during the breaks.

Junior High School curling club that autumn. I was in thesecond grade at the time. Although the club was only one—The number of people interested in curling has beenyear old, its members were quite good at throwing stones.

increasing after the PyeongChang Olympics, hasn’t it?

Being a real beginner, I found curling much morechallenging than I had expected.

Many trial lessons are being held at Karuizawa Ice Park
these days. Partly due to our easy access from Tokyo about one hour by bullet train - many people who want to—About when did curling become popular in Karuizawa?

try curling for the first time are visiting Karuizawa. You

Some people had already played curling 10 years before

can reach the point where you are able to throw a stone

the Nagano Olympics. This means that Karuizawa has awith about an hour’s practice and you will also enjoy the

curling history of more or less 30 years. Based on this, a

speed at which you can reach a higher level. I cancurling rink was built, which led to the town standing as arecommend curling to many people as a relaxing andvenue candidate for the Nagano Olympics, I think. My

enjoyable sport. I hope that some of them will go on to

teammates and I grew up watching the process, thendevelop into competitive athletes.

SC Karuizawa Club at the PyeongChang Olympics.
(Photo courtesy of Enrico Calder oni/AFLO SPORT)

formed SC Karuizawa Club and eventually went on to thePyeongChang Olympics. It’s all the legacy of the Nagano—Curling seems to be suitable for everyone regardless their

Olympics, don’t you think?

gender and age.
In Canada, where curling is popular, I often saw matches—What makes curling so interesting?

being played by seniors. Athletes can play competitively

In curling, players perform distinct roles like throwing

until around their 40s, so the length of their athleticstones and sweeping the ice with a broom. As the skip, I

careers is long. As this is a sport you can enjoy regardlessalso direct the team according to our strategy. Curling isof your physical strength or condition, I hope many people

often called “Chess on Ice”. The positioning of the stones

will enjoy it as a life-long sport.

SC Karuizawa Club. From the left: Morozumi Yusuke, Shimizu
Tetsuro, Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi, Morozumi Kosuke and Hirata Kosuke

local sports association which was established as a NPO

improve unless a curling culture like ours takes root all

hockey which doesn’t give you any time to think, in—What role does Sport Community Karuizawa Club play incorporation in 2004. People who love a variety of sports

over Japan. The history of curling in Japan is short, andcurling the both players and the spectators have time topromoting sports in Karuizawa?

such as curling and futsal work together to develop the

you can’t really say that the conditions for curling totown’s sporting culture. I was lucky enough to get a job

continue developing in Japan are good. Karuizawa iswith Sport Community Karuizawa Club. I’m grateful thatJapan’s most advanced curling venue, which has thethey have been supporting my athletic activities such as

facilities and know-how needed to develop competitive

going to the Olympic Games.

athletes. Making full use of this environment, I would likehas meaning. It is also very exciting to watch. Unlike ice

think about the match together. I think this is one of theSport Community Karuizawa Club is a comprehensive

to keep on competing in events such as the World

Morozumi Yusuke

18

A scene of a public viewing

Born in Karuizawa in 1985. In 2005, he established SC Karuizawa
Club, a men’s curling team, which has now won the first place in theJapan Curling Championships 8 times. After winning 4th place atthe World Championship in 2016 and 7th place in 2017, they wereselected to represent Japan in curling at the 2018 PyeongChang
Olympics - the first time in the 20 years since the Nagano Games
that Japan qualified - and took 8th place. Within the team, heserves as the “skip” while his younger brother Kosuke is the “lead”.
He works for NPO Corporation Sport Community Karuizawa Club.

—What would you like to accomplish from now on as an athlete?

Championships. I will be very pleased if the curling culture

I was born in Karuizawa and my athletic activities havein Karuizawa flourishes through my activities and spreads

always been based here. Through the experience ofthroughout Japan led by Karuizawa, and as a result, thisrepresenting Japan in the PyeongChang Olympics,

helps national representative athletes develop.

however, I have realized that Japanese teams will not

19

Concerto of the Winds, the 2nd Movement — Andante Cantabile

Two of her books are
set in Karuizawa

Sowing the Seeds of the Future – Interviews③ The Forest of Creativity

Connection with people created in life with nature
There is climate and culture for comfortable life here.
Novelist Ms.Yuikawa Kei—Why did you move to Karuizawa?
15 years have passed since I moved to Karuizawa. The

trees and the birds. I love it. I think it’s so charming to beable to look upon such a scene.

reason for the moving was... well, I had a St.Bernard we

When I was in Tokyo what I heard was only artificial soundcouldn’t keep in Tokyo. Shinkansen was already available

or vehicle horns. But here all I hear is produced in nature. It’sthen and it was only less than an hour away from Tokyo.

very pleasant and is a good environment for writing.

I used to think Karuizawa was very far but found with asurprise that it was cool in summer, although it was very
near from Tokyo. I decided to move here.
Now I’m very comfortable and often thank my dog forhaving brought us here.

—Has your way of life changed?
In Tokyo I was a night person. Here the shops close byten, so I usually go to bed around ten and get up at five.
It’s very healthy! When I’m in Karuizawa, it seems easy
to adjust to the natural rhythm of life. Thus, I feel relieved—What is your impression now after living here for some time?

and also appreciate somewhere deep in my mind what

Summers are cool and pleasant, but the winters are colder

living in the nature means as a human being.

than I expected. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could live here
all year round. But if you asked me now which season I likeAt Nakakaruizawa Library—How about your relationships with other people?

best, I would say winter! Winter is beautiful in Karuizawa.

You could say that Karuizawa is a “grown-up”

When it snows the evergreens all look like Christmas trees.

town. The local people know how to make visitors feel at

My hometown, Kanazawa, has a lot of snow and ishome. They keep a comfortable distance, and we can all

beautiful too. But the snow here is different. It sometimes

get along quite naturally. It doesn’t matter if you’re aseems almost transparent, more like ice than snow.

writer, actor/actress, politician or business person at

And what could be more beautiful than a sunny day inrestaurants or bars. Everyone enjoys good drink or some

winter? The sky is blue, the town and countryside are white,fresh highland vegetables, and that kind of togetherness isand the views of Mt. Hanareyama and Mt. Asama in thevery nice. I know, because I’m the type who enjoys going

distance are clear. I am moved just looking at the scenery.

out for a drink in the evening after a hard day’s work.

—How is the environment here for writers?

moved to Karuizawa. As I get to know the faces of people

At Mt. Kurofu, a peak on the outer ring of Mt. Asama’s caldera

In fact, the number of our friends has increased since I
Above and beyond all else I must mention the beauty of

I meet in the local shops and bars, I start to sit next tothe nature first, that’s the most attractive thing for me.

each other, get to talking, become closer and before long

I have also come to be friendly with other writers who

mountain cherry tree that used to stand near my house

You know, when I write I’m kind of in another world. If I

begin visiting each other’s homes. It has been a nicelive in Karuizawa. One of them is Mr. Hase Seishu who

but was cut down due to area development. It is not sostop for a moment to stare out the window, and thensurprise to find these kinds of relationships since I moved

has a very different writing style to me and therefore I

easy to find trees which have been growing for several

come back to the real world, the first things I see are theto Karuizawa.

was thinking that there would be nothing to talk about

hundred years. I hope a system that would enable us towith him. However, we now climb mountains together. If I

protect the precious treasures that the land has given us

had continued living in Tokyo, we wouldn’t have had

will be established.

such a relationship.

Karuizawa is a special brand. I think it’s vital that weYuikawa Kei
Born in Kanazawa City in 1995, and after graduating from Kanazawa
Women’s Junior College (present Kanazawagakuin Junior College), she
worked as an office worker for 10 years. In 1984 she made her debut asa writer with “Umiiro no gogo”, and received the Shueisya Cobart Novel
Taisho Prize for it. She later won the Naoki Prize for “Katagoshi nokoibito,”' which became her most well-known novel and was even madeinto a TV drama. She has lived in Karuizawa since 2003, and there arenovels set in Karuizawa among her works.

20

A special section in the library devoted to writers with a connection to
Karuizawa

don’t allow this brand to be damaged and we must
—Do you have any hopes or wishes for Karuizawa?
Well, I feel a little sad that due to overdevelopment it isendeavor to continue protecting it. I feel I don’t want tolose what the residents have worked hard to protect.

becoming more and more difficult to enjoy Karuizawa’s
nature including the loneliness at nights. I miss the old21Concerto of the Winds, the 2nd Movement — Andante Cantabile

Sowing the Seeds of the Future – Interviews④ Weddings and Tourism

Karuizawa becomes the origin of families who have theirwedding ceremony here. We would love to let people living
overseas know about the charm of our highland resort as well.
Karuizawa Tourism Association Vice President Mr. Suzuki Takeo (Kyu Karuizawa Hotel Otowa no Mori)—When did people start having weddings in Karuizawa?

Among the couples that get married, just under 70% holdIt probably started about 70 years ago at St. Paula ceremony and the remaining 30% only register their

Catholic Church and the present-day Karuizawa Kogen

marriages. I think it’s necessary to communicate to

Church (previously known as the Hoshino Yugakudo).

couples who don’t want a wedding ceremony why

There are families for whom two generations have had

European countries, taking your bicycle on a bus with you,

Originally, foreign missionaries came to Karuizawa, liked

weddings are important and that it’s nice to have even atheir wedding ceremonies at our hotel. It is even possible

then getting off and cycling for a while before finallyit and stayed. From then Karuizawa Town developed as asmall wedding with just their family and close friends.

that three generations of the same family have gotten

getting back on the bus for your return. I expect that

A Karuizawa Wedding

summer resort. In those early days a lot of foreign people

Ten years ago, in order to inform people about themarried at St. Paul Catholic Church. Karuizawa is a

Karuizawa will become an even more popular international

lived here, including Christians, so it was natural that theysignificance of wedding ceremonies and the benefits ofcharming highland resort that bonds families fromhighland resort if that kind of plan is put into practice.

would start to hold their weddings in the town.

getting married in Karuizawa, we set up the “Karuizawa

generation to generation. It is a great place for people to

Wedding Association”. 13 facilities now belong to thisinvite their guests, since it has lots of places to enjoy

association.

sports, shopping and so on. Some of these guests stay

As the resort developed, along with summer houses andhotels, many churches were built.

overnight and then become big fans of Karuizawa

Speaking of weddings, in the old days it was common in
many local places to invite a lot of guests, but in—What’s the charm of a Karuizawa wedding?

themselves.

Karuizawa, weddings with only the bride and groom or

It is said that the largest number of wedding ceremonies

The number of couples from overseas having theirsmall weddings with only the family and close friends

in Japan are now being held in Okinawa, and the number

wedding ceremonies here is increasing, and we would

were more the norm.

of couples married there exceeded 15,000 in fiscal 2016.

especially like to promote the charm of having a wedding

From around 1990s, highland weddings held by TV

For many, it’s a good substitute for a tropical resort

in Karuizawa to people from other Asian countries. In

personalities or newlywed couples appearing on a horse

wedding in Hawaii. Karuizawa, on the other hand, is amost Asian countries except for Hong Kong, however,

and wagon were broadcast or reported, and as a result

summer resort that was first opened by missionaries. It ischurch-style wedding ceremonies are not so popular yet.

many people wanted to hold their weddings here as well.

a place where people can have a wedding with a sense of

For this reason, we would like to offer non-religious

The peak was around 2000 when 6,500 couples marriedhistory and a real church ceremony. That is the mostweddings and winter weddings in which snow is used as a

Town office marriage registration reception desk

in a year. Recently a level of around 5,000 marriages per

attractive point.

special effect.

St. Paul Catholic Church

year is sustained.

Access from the capital is excellent in terms of both timeand cost. Actually, there are many couples who come—How do you picture the future of tourism in Karuizawa?

— I can imagine that with the decreasing population and theback to the church which is filled with their wedding

I think inbound tourism is important. I would like totendency to marry later, it is difficult to maintain the number

memories and reconfirm their love. Some couples show it

promote Karuizawa to European people as a resort whereof weddings.

to their children after they start their family and takeoriginality and high culture are alive and well. Why notfamily photos in front of the church.

have an extended stay and take side trips to Tokyo or

There are roughly 630,000 marriages per year in Japan.

Kanazawa. For that, it is important for our hotels and inns
to ensure that quality services are available, focusing on
longer stays.

Suzuki Takeo

22

The CEO of Otowanomori Co., Ltd., a prestigious old hotel in the
Kyukaruizawa district. Having worked for the hotel since 1997, heassumed his present position after having served as its generalmanager. Mr. Suzuki has been captivated by Karuizawa’s beautiful
natural surroundings, and he holds important positions in a number ofthe citizens’ groups in the town. He also leads a voluntary cleaning
activity for the town with the company members once a month. After theGreat East Japan Earthquake, he has also been actively helping therestoration support as the representative of the Karuizawa Otsuchikai, avolunteer group that supports Otsuchi Town in Iwate Prefecture.

We should not make Karuizawa an ordinary tourist
destination but keep it a special place which people admire
and would really like to visit. For example, it should be avery clean town where tourists won’t find any rubbish in
the street. One thing we would like to do soon is develop asystem of combination transportation. For example, like in23

Concerto of the Winds, the 2nd Movement — Andante Cantabile

Karuizawa Town’s Mascot,
RUIZA-chan

Sowing the Seeds of the Future – Interviews⑤ Developing the Town and its People

Let’s unlock the potential of Karuizawa andmake it a town we can be proud of throughout the world.
The Mayor of Karuizawa Town Mr.Fujimaki Susumu—In your term of office, Karuizawa hosted a G7 ministerialand Empress, as well as important politicians, businessmeeting, and Hotchi Ichiba has opened and is doing well.

figures, noted writers and intellectuals visit to have aFirst of all, could you tell us about your basic attitude

relaxing time. We cannot maintain and promote thistowards town development?

image only by ourselves, however. We need outside help.

I have been trying to discover the possibilities andIn April 2018, we were able to start a series of projects inpotential Karuizawa possesses and to find ways to makecooperation with Tokyo and Shinshu Universities designed

these resources of the town its treasure. For example,

to tackle the problems of medical care and other regional

Karuizawa was originally renowned for its highland

issues. This should make our town an even more pleasant—In 2014, “The Karuizawa Grand Design” was announced,

vegetables, but the natural attractiveness of this became

place to live. If we can keep on sharing various

imagining the town 50 and 100 years in the future. Would

hidden behind our tourist industry. Now, however, theinformation, I expect that our denominator will further

you tell us your thoughts about the future?

Hotchi Ichiba is revealing this charm and the production

increase.

of highland vegetables is once again, being recognized as
one of the town’s real treasures.

Community Farmer’s Market “Karuizawa Hotchi Ichiba”

Looking back at the 100-year history of our town andthinking about how and why it could achieve its present—How about the development of human resources?

status, we can clearly see how the efforts of eachgeneration built on those of the ones before.

Ｇ20：The summit of 20 countries and regions. It will be hosted by
Japan for the first time in 2019. Along with the summit conference,“G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global
Environment for Sustainable Growth”will be held 15 – 16 June 2019
in Karuizawa.
UWC ISAK：A private boarding school established in 2014 with
International Baccalaureate accreditation. ISAK became a UWC
member school in August 2017. UWC is a non-profit organization
head-quartered in London.

Following G7, the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy

There is a limit to what an administration can do, but weTransition and Global Environment for Sustainable

are working not just to improve students’ grades, but to

For example, the SC Karuizawa Club was chosen to go

Growth will also be held here in 2019. Who could imagine

bring up children who are strong. We want them toto the PyeongChang Olympics not because the

SC Karuizawa Club：NPＯ Corporation Sport Community Karuizawa
Club. It runs a local comprehensive community sport club In Karuizawa.

that a small town of this size with a population of only

develop the kind of strength that enables them keep

administration asked for it, but because the citizens all

20,000 would host such a world ministers’ conference?

moving forward, even in the face of a strong headwind,continued supporting them in every way they could. This

Kobushi Education: The philosophy of the education of Karuizawa
Town. Bringing up children who are spiritually rich and also have strength.

However, both the national and prefectural governments

never giving up on their future dreams or goals. That is

enabled the club to reach their goal 20 years after the

backed us when we stood as a candidate. I think that the

our “Kobushi Education”.

Nagano Olympics. It also demonstrates the strong public

ability to host events such as this is also one of
Karuizawa’s potential strengths.

As a town, we also strongly support the Karuizawa

spirit of our citizens.

Prefectural High School and the private “United WorldThis public spirit is the real potential of the town. Until

College ISAK Japan” (UWC ISAK). UWC ISAK students

now, many people have lived in Karuizawa and helped—So, you mean that Karuizawa has a lot of supporters and fans?

come from around the world and they actively participate

spread a good image of the town. But that is not only the

If I look at the fact that Karuizawa is a town in Nagano

not only in exchange activities with other schools in thereason our brand has become so well-regarded. I think

Prefecture with a population of 20,000 as a denominator,

town, but also in town events. These children are spending

another reason is that both the citizens and owners of

the numerator would be the fact that the name of thetheir impressionable young days in Karuizawa and will

holiday houses have faithfully followed our regulations

town is known to most Japanese. Our town is blessed withflourish in their home countries after they return. This will

including the Nature Conservation Outline that sometimes

a beautiful natural environment and lots of greenery. This

lead to increasing number of Karuizawa fans worldwide.

requires us to put up with inconveniences. In other words,

makes it a place where even their Majesties, the Emperor

This is just the beginning, but I look forward to our future.

it is the citizens themselves who have developed the town.

“KO”stands for “KOKORO”= “HEART” Be spiritually rich.
We make efforts to cultivate spiritually rich people who are warmhearted towards others, things and the environment.
“BU”stands for “BUNKA”= “CULTURE” Nurture Culture
We make efforts to cultivate people to be worthy citizens for a “Townof International Goodwill, Culture and Tourism”.
“SHI”stands for “SHIZEN”= “NATURE” Love Nature
We make efforts to cultivate people who love the nature of Karuizawa
and will continue to preserve its natural environment.

The Grand Design depicting Karuizawa in the future (Painted by Imai Katsumi)

Karuizawa is a well-known summer resort in Japan, butfrom a global point of view, it still has a long way to go.
Due to our active public relations efforts, we have attracted

24

Fujimaki Susumu

many visitors from Asian countries in recent years.

Mayor Fujimaki was born in Karuizawa in 1951. He has served in avariety of posts such as Chairman of the Literary Museum of Karuizawa,
Chairman of the Karuizawa Junior Chamber International, Vice-chairmanof the Karuizawa National Trust, President of the Karuizawa Tourism
Association and Representative of the Karuizawa Wedding Association.
He had been a member of the Karuizawa Town Council from 1995 to2007. He became the Mayor of Karuizawa Town in 2011 and is now in
his second term. His hobbies are reading and watching movies.

However, I also want to let Westerners know about theappeal of Karuizawa as well. I’d like to call on all of thecitizens of Karuizawa to use their public spirit to help withthe continued polishing of its brand image as a “special
town” that we can be proud of throughout the world.

25

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace

The Present Status of
our Town Development

The Present Status of our
Town Development“Karuizawa, a harmonized
town of Nature and Culture”
Karuizawa has been a leading Japanese health resort since it
was introduced to the world by Rev. A. C. Shaw in 1886. In 1923,
the town of Karuizawa was formally established with a populationof 5,000 and 95 years have passed since then.
During this time, the town has protected its clean environment
and nurtured its sophisticated culture, based on the set ofdevelopment regulations we call“the Karuizawa Rules”and thehigh principles laid out in Karuizawa Citizen’s Charter. Since
fiscal year 2013, our town development has been based on theFifth Long-term Development Plan for 10 years along with theslogan“Karuizawa, a Harmonized Town of Nature and Culture”.
The first part of the plan has already been completed and weare now working on the latter half, which is targeted forcompletion by FY 2022.
In the following pages, we would like to tell you about thepresent status of Karuizawa’s development, including various
activities specific to Karuizawa and the achievements of the past
5 years, which is proceeding according to the basic policies
outlined in our town development plan.

The Fifth Long-term Development Plan of Karuizawa Town
Basic Policy◦Pleasant environment of forests and highlands◦Smooth transportation system which promotes the citizens’ interaction◦Safe and secure town, resilient against disasters◦Town enjoyable for exchanges utilizing the Karuizawa brand◦Health and Welfare town where people enjoy their life with peace of mind
◦Educational and Cultural town that nurtures people◦Town planning initiated by its residents based on civic cooperation◦Town with sustainable self-governance28

29

The Present Status of our Town Development

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace♪ People Playing Tunes ♪

Pleasant Environment of Highlands and Forests

Picchio

Passing on a healthy environment
where people co-exist with nature
to the next generation

Mr. Mori Takayuki

Larch forests were once planted on the slope of Mr. Asama at analtitude of 900m. From the late 1800s, people were attracted by thiscooling environment and started building holiday houses in the area.
In the years since then, Karuizawa has developed into an international
health resort with its own unique characteristics. The comfortable

I want to help
preserve Karuizawa’s
natural environment

environment created by our highlands and forests is our mostprecious asset.
We make efforts to protect and nurture the environment in which
nature and people co-exist. We also aim to create the beautiful
town landscape that is attractive to our citizens and visitors alikeand is worthy of being called a “health resort”. In addition to that,
our efforts to reduce the environmental burden include the thoroughwaste sorting and maximum use of natural energy. Simultaneously,
we promote the development of comfortable residential environment
and living/social environment that are appropriate to theenvironmentally conscious town. We will pass down the beautiful
environment of which we are proud to future generations.
In Karuizawa, buildings taller than the trees cannot be seen

平成23年
平成23年
平成23年
62基62基62基

平成29年
平成29年
2,700基2,700基2,700基平成29年

平成29年
平成29年
平成29年

Yukawa Furusato Park

平成23年
平成23年
平成23年

平成23年
平成23年
平成23年 12,000㎡
12,000㎡
12,000㎡

5,640㎥
5,640㎥
5,640㎥

平成28年
平成28年
平成28年

6,400㎥
6,400㎥
6,400㎥

平成34年
平成34年
平成34年

7,800㎥
7,800㎥（目標
7,800㎥
（目標
）（目標
） ）

Sengataki Seseraginomichi Trail

Ohga Street

Volume of Wood Chips
Processed and Discharged“Dongurigaeshi (Returning acorns)”
program to grow broadleaf forests


▲


▲

▲

Lawn Coverage at Public Facilities

Principle Environmental Protection Measures▲

Number of
LED Security Streetlights

55,000㎡
55,000㎡
55,000㎡

I want to gain a better understandingof wild animals, share it with others,
and help preserve Karuizawa’s naturalenvironment. I have loved nature eversince I was a child. In my university
days, I had the chance to see people
getting in touch with nature in several
National Parks in the USA, which areplaces of healing and learning. I joined
Picchio with the hope of making sucha site in Japan.
As Karuizawa is located in a forested
area, many wild animals such as
bears, flying squirrels, Japanesesquirrels and wild boars live in close
proximity to people. While they are asource of healing for us, humananimal conflicts can sometimes occur.
By learning about the ecologicalsituation of the wild animals andeducating as many people as possible
about it both within and outside of
Karuizawa, and also investigating
appropriate methods to separate wild
animals and people, I would like tohelp protect the invaluable naturalenvironment of Karuizawa.

• ‌To have 2 floors or less and be limited to 10m or less in height, and only in nearby
20112011
2011
62
62

62

201120112011

201120112011 12,000㎡
12,000㎡
12,000㎡

2,833
2,833
2,833

201720172017

軽井沢町域の軽井沢町域の軽井沢町域の

53.4%
53.4%
53.4%
201620162016

201720172017

5,640㎥
5,640㎥
5,640㎥

81,672㎡
81,672㎡
81,672㎡

202220222022

6,400㎥
6,400㎥
6,400㎥
7,800㎥
7,800㎥（target）
7,800㎥（target）（target）

commercial areas, 3 floors or less and limited to 13m or less in height.
• ‌Requirement to consider the surrounding landscape in accordance with the town’s
Landscape Ordinance and Residents’ Agreement on Landscaping.
• Building colors must match their surroundings, keeping the chromatic saturation value under 4.
• Store closing times must be before 11 p.m. to maintain quiet at night• The posting of flags, movable signs and electric signboards is prohibited.

30

31

The Present Status of our Town Development

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace♪ People Playing Tunes ♪

Smooth Transportation System which Promote Citizens’ Interaction

Station Master,
JR Karuizawa Station

Creating a convenient town that people can enjoy
on foot, through the development of efficientroad system and public transportation network

Mr. Takehana Hiroomi

The Joshin-etsu Expressway and Hokuriku Shinkansen dramatically
improved access to Karuizawa from both the metropolitan area and the
Hokuriku area. The town is now also directly connected to Narita via the
Ken-O Expressway (Metropolitan Inter-City Expressway), and broad regionaltransportation is expected to become even more convenient when the

To us, the station is sort of“the face of Karuizawa”
We hope that our
hospitality will make you
feel like you want to comeand visit us again

Chubu Odan Expressway is completed.
Dealing with traffic congestion in and around Karuizawa during peakseason has long been a challenging issue, given the tows is inundated withthe large number of visitors, especially during the Golden Week and summer
holidays. Regionally and locally, we are taking steps to improve our roadtraffic network, aiming to provide safe and comfortable transportation
without road congestion. We also promote a higher utilization of public
transport in the town, by improving the convenience of the Shinano Railway
through the addition of a new park and ride system, as well as by better bus
services including loop routes.
In Karuizawa, we are striving to realize our own unique style of transportation,
which is not so heavily dependent on private vehicles, by implementing avariety of measures including a significant improvement in our public
transportation systems, the establishment of a very pedestrian-and-cyclistfriendly travel environment, and the creation of beautiful local landscapes.
Karuizawa Station

Shinano Railway Karuizawa Station, which madegood use of the old JR Karuizawa Station building

Cycling in Karuizawa is filled with charm

72,2162012 2012


▲

2012
72,216
72,216

KaruizawaKaruizawa
Sta.
Sta. Total 663,000
2012
432,000
432,000
166,000
166,000
65,00065,000Total 663,000
Total 663,000
432,000 166,000
65,000

Nakakaruizawa Sta.

Shinano Oiwake
ShinanoSta.
Oiwake Sta.

Shinano Oiwake Sta.

2013
193,000
193,000
87,00087,000457,000
457,000
Total 737,000
Total 737,000
457,000 193,000 87,000 Total 737,000
2,7322,732

2013
76,06976,06976,069 2013 20132014 20142014
82,797
82,7972014 2014
82,797

2014
209,000
209,000
95,00095,000495,000
495,000
Total 799,000
Total 495,000
799,000

209,000

95,000 Total 799,000
2,8892,889

2015 2015
94,0802015
212,000
212,000
92,00092,000499,000
499,000
Total 803,000
Total 499,000
803,000

212,000

92,000 Total 803,000

2016
506,000
506,000
226,000
226,000
95,00095,000Total 827,000
Total506,000
827,000

226,000

95,000 Total 827,000

2015
94,08094,0802016 20162016 100,985
100,9852016
2016
100,9852017 20172017
103,265
103,2652017
2017
103,2652017
Total 910,000
Total
910,000
269,000
94,00094,000547,000
547,000269,000
547,000

269,000

32
2011 2011286 286 2011

１spot１spot
2011 2011

286

１spot
2011
2011 201168 spots
68 spots2011

02011 20110

68 spots

3,670

2,732
3,6023,602
2,889

3,602

3,3553,355

94,000 Total 910,000

Data Data
providedprovidedby Shinano
by Shinano
Railway
Railway
Co.,
Data
Ltd.
Co.,
providedLtd. by Shinano Railway Co., Ltd.

3,6703,670

Karuizawa Sta.

Nakakaruizawa
Nakakaruizawa
Sta.
Sta.

2013 20132015 2015

Park & ride for rail
(Nakakaruizawa Station)

Average numbers of passengers per day
at JR (Japan Railway) Karuizawa Station▲2012 2012

A town loop bus

Numbers of passengers using Shinano
Railway (numbers of boardings)

▲

Numbers of passengers using
the Karuizawa loop buses

The roundabout introduced to Roppontsuji Crossing

3,355

3,0833,083

3,083

2011 20112012 20122013 20132014 20142015
2011
2015
2016
2012
2016

2013

2014

2015

Data Data
source:East
JapanJapan
RailwayCompanyDatasource:East Japan Railway Company
source:East
RailwayCompany
NaganoBrunchOﬃceOﬃce
JR Karuizawa
Station
NaganoBrunch Oﬃce JR Karuizawa Station
NaganoBrunchJR Karuizawa
Station2011 02016 2016

The average number of passengers
who boarded a train at Karuizawa
Station ten years ago was 2,800 perday. That number has now risen toaround 3,600. The station has a long
history of welcoming the Royal Family,
as well as countless Japanese
tourists. Nowadays, the number offoreign visitors is on the rise. Peakseasons were traditionally during theGolden Week and summer holiday
periods, but now, the station is bustlingwith people year round. From January
to March, for example, the station
welcomes many visitors from acrossAsia, especially during the Lunar New
Year holiday season. We are therefore,
committed to ensuring the safety ofour passengers.
We feel that for those who use
railway services, Karuizawa Station issomething like “the face of Karuizawa,”
since it is the first thing that greetsthem upon arrival. Our staff all serve
proudly and professionally at thestation with true Karuizawa-stylehospitality. Our sincere hope is that wecan provide such warm welcoming
atmosphere that visitors feel it iswonderful to visit here and are eager
to return.

305

305

2016

305

2016

33

The Present Status of our Town Development

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace♪ People Playing Tunes ♪

Safe and Secure Town, Resilient Against Disasters

Leader, Karuizawa Town
Volunteer Fire Corps

Protecting life against natural disasters,
traffic accidents and crime,
through cooperation with local citizens

Mr. Sato Yoshito

Karuizawa Fire Department rescue training

Located as it is at the foot of Mt. Asama, an active volcano, Karuizawa isvulnerable to disasters caused by volcanic activity and torrential rainfall.
We are working to ensure the safety and security of both local people andvisitors against various large-scale disasters, through our well-developed
disaster-prevention and crisis-management systems in accordance with the

We assume responsibility forprotecting our own
community, 365 days a year

local disaster management plan, including emergency drills for various
anticipated disasters, education of local voluntary fire brigades, anddistribution of hazard maps and relevant information via websites ande-mails.
As a popular tourism destination, a relatively high number of vehicles
flow into and around the town, leading to another problem - increased
risk of traffic accidents. In response, the town has been putting both
structural and non-structural systems in place, aimed at reducing accident
frequency. These include holding traffic safety classes to improve publicawareness of the issue, and improving road safety equipment such as
curved mirrors at blind corners and intersections. We have also instituted
a variety of measures to improve awareness of crime prevention, in
cooperation with local groups and organizations from throughout thecommunity.

2014

2014

2015

2015

2016

2016

2017

2017


▲

2011

432,000
166,000
166,000
65,000 65,000
Total 663,000
Total 663,000
72,216432,000
72,2162013 20132013

193,000
193,000
87,000 87,000
457,000
457,000
Total 737,000
Total 737,000 2013
76,06976,06920142014 2014
2014

Nakakaruizawa
Nakakaruizawa
Sta.
Sta.
Nakakaruizawa Sta. Nakakaruizawa Sta.
2013 457,000 193,000
87,000193,000
457,000
Total87,000
737,000 Total 737,000
2,732
2,732
Shinano Oiwake
ShinanoSta.Oiwake Sta.
Shinano Oiwake Sta. Shinano Oiwake Sta.
Nurseryschooltraffic
safetylessons
2014
2014 495,000
82,797
82,797
209,000
209,000
95,000 95,000
209,000
95,000209,000
495,000
495,000
495,000
Total 799,000
Total 799,000
Total95,000
799,000 Total
799,000
3,602
3,602
2,889
2,889

2015

2015 2015
2015

2015
212,000212,000
92,000 92,000
499,000
499,000
Total 803,000
Total 803,000
94,08094,0802015

499,000

212,000
212,000
499,00092,000
Total92,000
803,000
Total 803,000
3,355 3,355

100,985
100,98520162016 2016
2016

2016
506,000
506,000
226,000226,000
95,00095,000Total 827,000
Total 827,000
100,985
100,985

2016

506,000

103,265
103,26520172017 20172017

226,000
506,00095,000
226,000
Total95,000
827,000 Total 827,000
3,083 3,083
Total94,000
910,000 Total 910,000
269,000 94,000
269,000
547,000

82,797 82,797
94,080 94,080

2016

2016

2022

2022

286
235

286

235

3,670

2012 2012
2012

2013

76,069 76,069

Numbers of people injuredin traffic accidents

2011

3,670
Karuizawa
Karuizawa 2012
Sta. 432,000 166,000
KaruizawaSta.3,670
Karuizawa Sta.
2012 Sta.
432,000
65,000166,000
Total65,000
663,000 Total 663,000

2012

72,216 72,216

2017
Total 910,000
Total 910,000
103,265
269,000103,265
269,000
94,000 94,000
547,000
547,000

Disaster prevention
Data provided
Data provided
by Shinano
by Shinano
Railway
RailwayCo., Ltd.
Co., Ltd.
supplies allocations

2011

１spot
2011

2016

2016

less than180（ target）
less
than
180（ target）
2022

１spot 20112011

１0 spots
１0 spots
2016
2016

15
（
target）
spots（ target）
2022 15 spots
2022
2022

2011

235

235

2016

2016

547,000
2011

2017

2,889

3,602

2,889

3,355

2011
2012

2012
2013

2013
2014

3,083

2014
2015

NaganoNagano
BrunchBrunchOﬃce JROﬃce
Karuizawa
JR Karuizawa
StationStation

１0 spots
2016

１0 spots
2016

2011

2011

spots
201668 2016

９ groups
９ groups

100 spots
100 spots
spots（ target）
15
spots（ target）
15 groups
15（groups
target）（ target）
less than 180（
lesstarget）
than 180（ target） 15
2022
2022
2022
2022
2017

2,732

Karuizawa Volunteer Fire Corps’ New Year’s ceremony
3,602

3,355

3,083

2015
2016 of2016
2011
20122011 20132012
20142013 2015
20162015
Numbers
disaster prevention
Numbersof 2014
volunteer
Data source:EastDatasource:East
RailwayCompany
Company organizations
Data source:East
Data source:East
Japanfire
RailwayJapan
Company
Railway Company
Data provided
Databy provided
ShinanoRailway
by
ShinanoCo.,Japan
RailwayLtd. Japan
Co., Railway
Ltd.
voluntaryfighters

2862011 １spot 2011 １spot2011 02011 0
68 spots
68 spots

286

2011

2017

2,732

3,670


▲

2013


▲

2012

2013


▲

2012

2017

2017

2022
2022
100 spots

0
305

2016

Nagano Brunch
NaganoOﬃce
BrunchJR Karuizawa
Oﬃce JRStation
Karuizawa Station

2011

2011

0

2016

2016

９ groups

68 spots
305

The Karuizawa Town Volunteer Fire
Corps consists of 300 members, with
3 local chapters and 12 branches, aswell as being a voluntary organization
for disaster prevention. All of themembers take part in a variety ofvolunteer activities with highrecognition for protecting ourcommunity by ourselves. The disasterprevention awareness of Karuizawa’s
citizens is also very high. We are alldetermined to “protect our community
365 days a year.”A recent concern about the group is
its declining membership. I myself
joined at the age of 21, and I strongly
hope that more young people will join
us. Fire-fighting is without doubt achallenging undertaking, as theconditions can quite often be harsh,such as blizzards or the dark of night.
We are, nonetheless, rewarded with astrong sense of accomplishment andit’s even fun, because of thecompanionship we share with ourcolleagues. I believe the networks
and friendships built through volunteer
activities definitely become a valuableasset for our professional lives, too.
The fire corps always welcomes newmembers, both men and women alike.
Please join us, and let’s protect our
town together.

2016

305

305

９ groups

2022
100362spots（target）
362（target）
152022groups（ target）
15 groups（ target）
2022

34

2016

2022

362（target） 362（target）

35
2012

2012

7,820,000
7,820,000

2013

2013

7,940,000
7,940,000

2012
2012
Winter（December
Winter（December- February）- February）
940,000（
940,000
11.0%）
2013
2013（ 11.0%）（Spring
March（-MarchMay）- May）
7,820,000 Spring
7,820,000
Winter（December
Winter-（December
February） - February）
17,1581,100,000
1,100,000（ 12.9％）（ 12.9％）2011
2011
940,000（ 11.0%）940,000（17,158
11.0%）
7,940,000
7,940,000

Spring（ MarchSpring- May）（ March - May）
1,100,000（ 12.9％）
1,100,000（ 12.9％）
2011

17,1582011

17,158

The Present Status of our Town Development

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace♪ People Playing Tunes ♪

Town enjoyable for exchanges utilizing the Karuizawa Brand 1

Wedding Planner - Karuizawa
Wedding Information Center

Tourism, culture, industry, commerce andagriculture all working together to create
the additional charm of Karuizawa

Ms. Koaizawa Naomi

Community Farmer’s Market“Karuizawa Hotch Ichiba”“Karuizawa Kirishita Yasai ®” displayedat Hotch Ichiba

The core industry of Karuizawa Town is tourism, with a focus on rest andrelaxation in holiday houses and resorts, which has led to the development of avariety of other businesses. Based on this foundation, we seek for the possibility ofcomprehensive development of “the sixth industry” whilst strengthening therelationships among various sectors.

Delightful weddings lead torepeat visitors to Karuizawa

Regarding commerce and industry, we are supporting the development of uniquelocal specialties labeled “Karuizawa Brand” in partnership with Karuizawa
Chamber of Commerce. We are also tackling to improve the pedestrian areas andto create attractive local shopping streets.
Regarding our local agricultural industry which centers around highlandvegetables cultivated under unique highland weather conditions, we aim tosuccessfully market local products labeled “Karuizawa Kirishita Yasai ® ”(“Vegetables under the Mist”). We also promote a locavore lifestyle, making use ofCommunity Farmer’s Market Karuizawa Hotchi Ichiba.
Also, we will continue offering a range of fascinating experiences to its visitors,
including unique cultural events, eco-tourism, sports-tourism and weddings aswell as making it an ideal host town for conventions and conferences.
We are working hard to ensure that visitors from across Japan and around the worldname Karuizawa as a town they would like to visit any number of times, in any season.
Lively scene in Kyukaruginza Street
2012
2012
2013
2013

72,216
72,21676,06976,06982,797
82,7972014
2014

94,08094,0802015
2015

432,000
432,000166,000
166,000 65,000
65,000 Total
Total 663,000
663,000
72,216

2012

2012
2012

2013

2013
2013

2014

2014
2014

82,797495,000
495,000

2015

2015
2015

209,000
209,000 95,000
95,000 Total
Total 799,000
799,000

Nakakaruizawa
NakakaruizawaSta.
Sta.
2013
ShinanoShinanoOiwake
OiwakeSta.
Sta.
2014

212,000 92,000
92,000 Total
499,000
499,000
Total 803,000
803,000 2015
94,080 212,000

499,000

212,000

92,000 Total 803,000
3,355
3,355

506,000

226,000

95,000 Total 827,000
3,083
3,083
94,000 Total 910,000

100,985
100,985

2016

2016
2016

506,000
506,000
226,000
226,000 95,000
95,000 Total
Total 827,000
827,000 2016
100,985

103,265
103,265

2017

2017
2017

2017
Total 910,000
910,000
103,265 269,000
269,000 94,000
94,000 Total
547,000
547,000

2016
2016

2022
2022

2011
2011

235
235

2016
2016

１spot
１spot

286

2011

１
00 spots
spots
2016 １

Karuizawa Half Marathon

less
less than
than 180180（（target）
target）

2022
2022

15
15 spotsspots（（target）
target）
2022

１spot
68
68 spots
spots

2011
2011

235

2016

2017
2017

100
100 spotsspots
15 spots（ target）
2022
2022
2022

less than 180（ target）

2012
2012

2013
2013

2014
2014

00

１0 spots
2016
2016

９
９groupsgroups2017

15
15 groups
groups（（target）
target）

2022
2022
100
spots

7,940,000
7,940,000

2014
2014

8,370,000
8,370,000

2015
2015

8,430,000
8,430,000

2012
Winter
Winter（December（December-- February）
February）
940,000（（11.0%）
11.0%）
2013 940,000
2014
AutumnAutumn（（September
September-- November）
November）
2,050,000（（24.0%）
24.0%）
2015 2,050,000

7,820,000
7,940,000
8,370,000
Total
Total
8,550,000
8,550,000
8,430,000

2016
2016

8,470,000
8,470,000

2016

8,470,000

2017
2017

8,550,000
8,550,000

2017

8,550,000

2011

362
362
（target）（target）
2022

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Data source:East Japan Railway Company
Nagano Brunch Oﬃce JR Karuizawa Station

2016

９ groups

Holiday Walk
15 groups（ target）

305

Mt. Asama observation point2022

362（target）

Numbers of overnight
visitors from abroad


▲7,820,000
7,820,000

2013
2013

2016
2016

0

2016


▲

2012
2012

3,083

2015
2015

305
305

Karuizawa Winter Festival

3,602

2,889
3,355

2011

68 spots
2016
2016

2011

Numbers of tourists by season(2017 Japanese fiscal year)▲Numbers of tourists
visiting annually

2011

2011
2011

2011
2011

269,000

3,602
3,602

Data
Data
source:East
source:East
Japan
Japan Railway
Railway Company
Company
Data provided by Shinano
RailwayCo., Ltd.
NaganoNagano Brunch
Brunch Oﬃce
Oﬃce JRJR Karuizawa
Karuizawa Station
Station

Data
Data provided
provided byby Shinano
Shinano Railway
Railway Co.,
Co., Ltd.
Ltd.

286
286

547,000

2,732

Shinano Oiwake Sta.

209,000
95,000 Total 799,000
2,889
2,889

2017
2017

3,670

Nakakaruizawa Sta.

457,000 193,000
2,732
2,732 87,000 Total 737,000
495,000

2016
2016

2011
2011

3,670
Karuizawa3,670
Sta.

432,000 166,000 65,000 Total 663,000

Karuizawa
KaruizawaSta.
Sta.
2012

193,000 87,000
87,000 Total
457,000
457,000 193,000
Total 737,000
737,000
76,069“How should we prepare for ourwedding?” “What kind of a wedding
can we have in Karuizawa?” … These
are some of the questions clients ask
when they consult with us about their
special day. We make customized
proposals and recommendations foreach couple after finding out things
like why they want to have theirwedding here in Karuizawa, who they
most want to spend time with on theday, and their basic reasons for having
a wedding ceremony.
Many guests have never visited
Karuizawa before, but once they haveexperienced a delightful Karuizawa
wedding, they, not to mention the
newlyweds themselves, fall in lovewith the town and will visit again. They
tell their friends about the best
features and aspects of Karuizawa
and the town’s reputation spreads byword of mouth. I believe that our job
helps to increase the number of
Karuizawa fans.

SpringSpring
（
（
March
March
-- May）
May） - February）
Winter（December
17,15817,1581,100,000
1,100,000（（12.9％）
12.9％）
2011
940,000（ 201111.0%）
Autumn（ September - November）
2014
2014
2,050,000（ 24.0%）
SummerSummer (June(June -- August）
August）
4,460,000
4,460,000（（52.1%）
52.1%）

2022
2022

Spring（ March - May）
1,100,000（ 12.9％）
Total
136,000
136,000
8,550,000

2011

2014

Summer (June - August）
200,000
200,000（target）（target）
4,460,000（ 52.1%）

2022

17,158136,000
200,000（target）

36

37
レタス
レタス

レタス

平成
平成 7年
7年

（
（382戸
382戸）
）
7%
7%

（
（ ）
）
内は全農家数
内は全農家数

平成 7年

7%（ 382戸 ）（）内は全農家数

織物
織物
・
・
衣類
衣類
・
・
身の回り品
身の回り品

織物・衣類・身の回り品

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace

Health & Welfare Town Where People Enjoy Their Life with Peace of Mind

Karuizawa HospitalChildren’s Center“Komorebinosato” aquatic sports facility

Karuizawa aims to be a“Health & Welfare Town Where People♪ People Playing Tunes ♪

Enjoy Their Life with Peace of Mind”. Centered on Karuizawa

NPO Corporation SHIKI
Representative

Hospital, the town responds to the medical needs of residents andvisitors alike.

The Present Status of our Town Development

Medical Care & Health Promot ion ,Childrearing Environment, Local Welfare…
Working Together to Realize“Universal Society”

Ms. Tsuchiya Kayo

We also support improved health standards,

comprehensive system including health promotion, disease
prevention, rehabilitation and welfare, all based at Health andWelfare Center“Komorebinosato”.

2012
2012
2013
2013

72,216
72,216

2012
2012
2012

76,06976,06982,797
82,797201420142012 432,000
432,000
166,000
166,000
65,00065,000
Total
Total
663,000
663,000
72,216
72,216

Karuizawa
Karuizawa
Sta.Sta.

2012

2013
2013
2013

2013

2014
2014
2014

2014

82,797
82,797
209,000
95,00095,000495,000
495,000 209,000
Total
Total
799,000
799,000

Nakakaruizawa
Nakakaruizawa
Sta.Sta.
2013
ShinanoShinanoOiwakeOiwakeSta.Sta.
2014

193,000
87,00087,000457,000
457,000193,000
Total
Total
737,000
737,000
76,06976,0693,670
3,670
432,000 166,000
432,00065,000
166,000 Total
65,000663,000
Total
663,000

2012

193,000 87,000
193,000 Total
87,000457,000 457,000
737,000
Total 737,000
2,732
2,732
Shinano Oiwake
ShinanoSta. Oiwake Sta.

2013

209,000
495,000
2,889
2,889 495,000

212,000
499,000 499,000

2015
2015
2015

2015

212,00092,000
92,000Total
499,000
499,000 212,000
Total
803,000
803,000
94,08094,0802015

2015

100,985
100,985

2016
2016
2016

2016

506,000
506,000 226,000
226,00095,000
95,000Total
Total
827,000
827,000
100,985
100,985

2016

2016

2017
2017

103,265
103,265

2017
2017
2017

2017

2017

2017
2011
2011

94,08094,080

Total
Total
910,000
910,000
103,265
103,265
269,000
269,000
94,00094,000547,000
547,000

2,732

2,732

212,000
92,00092,000Total 803,000
3,355
3,355Total
3,355
3,355
Centeras803,000
itsbase. We have established Children’s Centers,
where
506,000 506,000
226,000 226,000
95,000 Total
95,000827,000
Total 827,000
3,083
3,083
3,083
3,083
after-school
activities
and classes for children are provided in every
910,000
Total 910,000
269,000
269,000
94,000 Total
94,000547,000 547,000
2012
2012

2013
2013

2014
2014

2015
2015

2016
2016

2011

2012
2011

2012
2013

2014
2013

2014
2015

2016
2015

school district. WeData
have
also
realized
goal
of
Data
Data
source:East
source:East
Japan
Railway
RailwayCompany
Company
source:EastDatasource:East
Japan
Railway
Japanour
RailwayCompany
Company
Data provided
Dataprovidedby
Shinanoby Japan
ShinanoRailway
RailwayCo.,elementary
Ltd.
Co., Ltd.
NaganoNaganoBrunchBrunch
Oﬃce
Oﬃce
JRJR
Karuizawa
Karuizawa
StationStation
Nagano Brunch
NaganoOﬃce
Brunch
JROﬃceKaruizawa
JR Karuizawa
Station Station

Data
Data
providedprovided
byby
ShinanoShinanoRailway
Railway
Co.,
Co.,
Ltd.
Ltd.

making medical care free for all children up to 18 years old.

2011
2011

2016
2016

2022
2022

１spot
2011
2011 １spot

286
286
235
235

2011

１0１spots
0 spots 2016

2016
2016

less
less
than
than
180
180
（ target）（ target） 2022
2022

1515
spots
spots
（ target）（ target） 2022

286

2011
2011
2011

235

2016
2017
2017
2022

１spot
１spot
0 0
2011
2011
2011

286
2011
6868
spots
spots
235

2016

2016
2016
2016

100
100
spots
spots
less than less
180（thantarget）
180（ target）
2022

2011

2011 0 2011 0
Another issue
we are addressing is thefulfillmentof305
a welfare
305
2016
2016

68 spots
305
305
68 spots

2016
2011
2016

system where2016
every2016
citizen ９canhavelonger healthy life expectancy
groups９ groups

１0 spots １９0 spots
９
groupsgroups
2017

and
even
disabilities
2022 people
2022 with
100362
spots
362（target）（target）
100
spotsthose in need of nursing care and362（target）
362（target）
15 groups（
15target）
groups（ target）
2022
2022

2022
2017
2022

152022
spots（15target）（ target）
15spots
15
groupsgroups（ target）（ target）
2022
2022

can live healthy and happy lives with peace of mind. In cooperation

with various related organizations, Karuizawa Town is making
efforts to realize an ideal support system covering both tangible and
2012
2012

7,820,000
7,820,000

2013
2013

7,940,000
7,940,000

2014
2014

8,370,000
8,370,000

2015
2015

8,430,000
8,430,000
8,470,000
8,470,000

2016

2016

2017
2017

8,550,000
8,550,000

2017

2017

平成
平成7年7年
レタス

レタス
レタス
ハクサイ
ハクサイ
キャベツ
キャベツ

ハクサイ ハクサイ

未未

8,470,000
8,470,000
SummerSummer(June(June- August）- August）
4,460,000
4,460,000（ 52.1%）（ 52.1%）8,550,000
8,550,000

キャベツ キャベツ

22年
22年

ジャガイモ
ジャガイモ

平成 7年 平成 7年（ 367戸
（ 367戸
））
9%9%

12年

未

その他
その他
148億円
148億円
（32％）
（32％）
17年

未

（ 225戸（ 225戸
））
15%
15%

17年
17年

（ 197戸
（ 197戸））13%13%ジャガイモ ジャガイモ

15億円
15億円
（３％）
（３％）

27年

資料
資料
：農林業センサス：農林業センサス

2014
2014
2015
2015
2016
2016
2017
2017

38

16,192
16,192
17,39017,39019,104
19,10420,01420,014
20,367
20,367
22,466
22,466

2022

（

12年

合計
合計
17年
458億円
458億円

）内は全農家数（ ）内は全農家数

織物
織物
・衣類
・衣類
・身の回り品
・身の回り品） （ 367戸 ）
9%（ 367戸9%
169億円
169億円
（37％）
（37％）
） （ 225戸 ）
15%（ 225戸
15%） （ 114戸 ）
飲食料品
飲食料品
21%（ 114戸
21%
126億円
126億円
（28％）
（28％）

資料
資料
：商業統計調査：商業統計調査
資料：農林業センサス
資料：農林業センサス

2012

2012
56,78156,781

2013
2013

2013

2013
58,60758,607

2014
2014

2014

2014
60,89560,895

2015
2015

2015

2015

16,192

17,39017,3902016
2016

19,104

2016
2016

2016

2016

81,153
81,153

2017
2017

2017

2017

80,64080,640

Nursery school sports festival
飲食料品 飲食料品
126億円
（28％）
126億円
（28％）

Numbers of people registeredat Child Care Support Center

16,19278,89978,899

機械器具 機械器具
15億円
（３％）
15億円
（３％）

19,10420,01420,0142022
2022

20,367

20,367

22,466

22,4662012

2012

56,781

2013

2013

58,6072014

2014

60,895

2015

2015

2016
2017

480
480

680
680
（target）（target）
2016
2017

56,781

2011
2011

58,607

2016
2016

2022
2022

19%
19%

60,89578,899A town where the physicallyand mentally challenged canlead normal lives
We run a group home for people withdisabilities and provide programs
which support their employment anddaily life. In cooperation with the town,
we established the “Nijiiro Pocket(Rainbow-colored Pocket)”, a support
facility for physically and mentallychallenged children, in April, 2017. At
present, 10 children are using its
services.
Our goal is a local society in which
the physically and mentally challenged
can continue to work, finding theirplace in society as they choose,
without discrimination or special
treatment. We are already well on theway to bringing our welfare facilities
up to our target levels and we intend
to continue our efforts, in the belief
that we can surely make Karuizawa
an ideal town for everyone.

資料：商業統計調査
資料：商業統計調査

Numbers of children
using the Children’s Center

2012
2012

織物・衣類・
織物
身の回り品
・衣類・身の回り品
その他
その他
169億円
（37％）
169億円
（37％）
合計
合計
148億円
（32％）
148億円
（32％）
458億円 458億円） （ 197戸 ）
13%（ 197戸
13%

27年

200,000（target）
200,000（target）

2016

Percentages of people ofreceiving cancer screening

78,899

2016

2016

2022

2022

480

480

22%
22%

81,153

81,15380,64080,64040%
40%（target）（target）

680（target）
680（target）


▲

2013
2013

Summer (JuneSummer- August）(June - August）
2022
4,460,000（
4,460,000
52.1%）（ 52.1%）

136,000 136,000


▲

2012
2012

2014


▲


▲

Numbers of people using
Senior Citizens’ Welfare Center2014） （ 382戸 ）7%（ 382戸7%

機械器具
機械器具 for22年
Health check-ups
infants 22年（ 114戸（ 114戸
））
21%
21%

27年
27年

200,000
200,000（target）（target）

2022
2022

（ （）内は全農家数）内は全農家数（ 382戸
（ 382戸
））レタス7%7%

12年
12年

citizen can lead a healthy fulfilling life.

8,370,0008,370,000
Total
Autumn（ September
Autumn（ September- November）- November） Total
136,000
136,000
2014
2014
2,050,000（
2,050,000
24.0%）（ 24.0%）8,550,000 8,550,000
8,430,0008,430,000

2014
2014
Total
Total
AutumnAutumn（ September（ September- November）- November）
8,550,000
2,050,000
2,050,000（ 24.0%）（2015
24.0%） 2015 8,550,000

2016
2016

Spring（MarchSpring-（May）March- May）
intangible
aspects,
to create“a universal society”, in which every
17,15817,1581,100,000（
1,100,000
12.9％）（ 12.9％）2011
2011

SpringSpring（ March（ March- May）- May）Winter（December
7,820,000
7,820,000
Winter（December- February）- February）
17,15817,1581,100,000
1,100,000（ 12.9％）（ 12.9％）20112011 940,000（ 11.0%）940,000（ 11.0%）
7,940,0007,940,000

2012
2012
Winter
Winter（December（December- February）- February）
940,000
940,000（ 11.0%）（2013
11.0%） 2013

3,670

who Totalaretheto the next generation,
209,000
95,00095,000799,000
Totalkey
799,000
3,602
3,602
3,602
3,602
2,889 with
2,889Childcare Support

2014

2016
2016

2015
2015

3,670

Karuizawa Sta.Karuizawa Sta.

Our local areaNakakaruizawa
activelyenhancesthe nurturing of our children
Nakakaruizawa
Sta.
Sta.

19%

19%

2011

2011

2016

2016

22%

2022

2022

40%（target）
40%（target）

22%

39

2012

2012 201220132013 20132014

2014 20142015

2015 2015

2016

2016 20162017

2017 2017

In charge of immersion education
at Karuizawa Junior High School

Developing strong children with our “Kobushi
Education” program and create a town where
people can enjoy lifelong learning and sports
2012 72,216
72,216
72,216

72,2162013 76,069
76,06976,0692012

76,0692013

Mr. Thomas Randall

KaruizawaTotal
Karuizawa
Sta. 663,000
Karuizawa
Sta.
Sta.
2012 2012432,000
2012
432,000
166,000
432,000
166,000
65,000166,000
65,000Total65,000
432,000
663,000
Total 663,000
Total
166,000
663,000
65,0002013 2013 457,000
2013
193,000
193,000
87,000193,000
87,00087,000193,000
87,000 Total 737,000
457,000
457,000
Total
457,000
737,000
Total 737,000
Total 737,000
Shinano Oiwake
ShinanoSta.Oiwake
ShinanoSta.
Oiwake Sta.

100,985
100,985
100,985

2016

2015

2015 2015

100,9852016

2016 2016

2,732
Shinano2,732
Oiwake2,732
Sta.

3,355 3,355 3,355

2016

2016 2016

2022

2022 202215
spots（ target）
spots
15（spotstarget）（ target）15 spots（ target）
less than
less
180
than
（
less
target）
180
than（ target）
180（
target）
less
than
180
（15
target）
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022

2017 and2017 lead2017 fruitful2017
children find their places in our globalized society
lives.
100 spots
100 spots
100 spots

We are proud to be providing an environment in which learning and

3,083

2011
20122011
20122013
20122013
2014
2011
2013
2014
2015
2012
2014
2015
2016
2013
2015
2016 2014
2016

2015

2016

Data source:East
Data Data
source:East
source:East
Japan Japan
Railway
Data
Japan
RailwayCompany
source:East
RailwayCompany
Company
Japan Railway Company
NaganoNaganoBrunchNaganoBrunchOﬃce
BrunchJROﬃce
KaruizawaOﬃce
Nagano
JR Karuizawa
JRBrunchStationKaruizawa
StationOﬃce
Station
JR Karuizawa Station

１spot2011
１spot１spot
１spot
286
286 2862011 2011
286
0
0
2011
2011 02011 20112011
collaborationand humancommunication,
we2011are2011working
to nurture
68 2011spots
68 spots
68 spots
68 spots
2011

peopleby 235providinganimproved
systemthat helps our235 2016
235
2352016
１0 spots
１education0spots
１0 spots
１0 spots
2016 2016
2016

3,602
3,355

3,083 3,083 3,083

2011

The outside views of Karuizawa Junior High School

3,602 3,602 3,602
2,889

2015

have 22017
privatekindergartens,
4 nurseries,
elementary
schools,
1 junior
2017
2017 547,000
Total94,000
910,000
Total 910,000
Total 910,000
103,265
103,265
103,265
103,2652017 32017
269,000
269,000
94,000269,000
94,000269,000
94,000 Total 910,000
547,000
547,000
547,000

3,670

2,732

2,889 2,889 2,889

2016
506,000
506,000
226,000
506,000
226,000
95,000226,000
95,000506,000
95,000226,000
95,000 Total 827,000
Total
827,000
Total 827,000
Total 827,000

international boarding school UWC ISAK Japan. With a spirit of2011 2011

Nakakaruizawa Sta.

212,000
212,000
92,000212,000
92,00092,000212,000
92,000 Total 803,000
499,000
499,000
499,000
499,000
Total
803,000
Total 803,000
Total 803,000
94,08094,080of children94,080
whoarephysically94,080
and mentally strong.
In
the
town,
we

high school, the Karuizawa Prefectural
High
SchoolandtheData provided
Data Data
providedby provided
Shinanoby
Shinanoby
Railway
Data
ShinanoRailway
providedCo.,Railway
Ltd.
Co.,
by Shinano
Ltd.
Co., Ltd.Railway Co., Ltd.
2011

3,670 3,670 3,670

Karuizawa Sta.

Nakakaruizawa
Nakakaruizawa
Sta. Nakakaruizawa
Sta.
Sta.

Our 2014“Kobushi
Education” 82,797
program aims
at fosteringthedevelopment2014 20142014
2014
82,79782,797
82,797
209,000
209,000
95,000209,000
95,00095,00095,000 Total 799,000
495,000
495,000
495,000
495,000
Total
799,000
Total 209,000
799,000
Total 799,000
2015

2011

0

“Think globally, act locally!”
2016

305

2016 2016

９ groups
９ groups
９ groups
2016

305
2016 305

305

９ groups

2016

2016 2016

2022

2022 2022 2022 362
2022
100 spots（target）
362（target）
362（target）
groups15（
groupstarget）
15 groups（ target）（ target）
15 groups（ target）
2022152022
2022

362（target）

sports can be enjoyed by “anyone, anywhere, anytime”. Several
examples include the Karuizawa Summer College, which began in the2012

2012 201220132013 20132014

2014 20142015

2015 2015

2016

2016 20162017

2017 2017

Spring（Spring
March（
SpringMarch- May）（ March- May）- May）
Spring（ March - May）
2012
7,820,000
7,820,000
7,820,000
7,820,000
Winter（December（December
Winter（December- February）- February）
Winter- February）（December- February）
TaishoEra
andnow hasaWinter
100-yeartradition,
the Nakakaruizawa

17,15817,15817,158 2011
1,100,000
1,100,000（ 12.9％）1,100,000（ 12.9％）（ 12.9％）（12.9％）
20111,100,000
2011
2011
940,000（
940,000
11.0%）
940,000（ 11.0%）（ 11.0%） 940,000（ 11.0%）
7,940,000

2013 7,940,000
7,940,000
7,940,000

17,158Library located in the Kutsukake Terrace which provides a venue for
8,370,000
8,370,000
8,370,000
8,370,000
Total -Total
Total
Autumn（AutumnSeptember
Autumn（September（- September
November）- November）
Autumn- November）（ September
November）

2014

Total

8,550,000
8,550,000
8,550,000
2,050,000
2,050,000（ 24.0%）2,050,000（ and24.0%）（ 24.0%）2,050,000（8,550,000
24.0%）
lecturesKaruizawa
and other
topics,Kazakoshi
Sports Park2015 on8,430,000
8,430,000
8,430,000
8,430,000

2014

136,000136,000
136,0002014

2014 2014

136,000

Karuizawa Summer Collage

8,470,000
8,470,000
8,470,000
8,470,000
SummerSummer(June
Summer-(JuneAugust）(June- August）- August）
Summer(June- August）
200,000200,000（target）（target）（target） 200,000（target）
2022
2022
2022
2022200,000
which contains
a varietyof sporting
facilities and hosts international
2016

8,550,000
8,550,000
8,550,000

2017

4,460,000
4,460,000（ 52.1%）4,460,000（ 52.1%）（ 52.1%）4,460,000（ 52.1%）

8,550,000

curling events. In this way, we are providing an environment which
encourages citizens to engage in life-long learning and sports. Making

レタス レタス レタス
ハクサイハクサイ
ハクサイ
キャベツキャベツ
キャベツ
ジャガイモ
ジャガイモ
ジャガイモ

good use of the town’s wide variety of cultural assets and its
history（ ）内は全農家数（ ）内は全農家数（ ）内は全農家数
平成 7年
平成 7年
平成 7年

レタス

平成
7年
（
） 382戸（）382戸 ）
7%（ 382戸7%7%

7%（ 382戸 ）of the health resort culture, we will further up-grade our potentials as
ハクサイ

12年

12年

12年

22年

22年

22年

27年

27年

27年

（
） 367戸
12年
9%（ 367戸
9%9%（）367戸 ）

キャベツ

織物・衣類
織物
・身の回り品
・衣類
織物
・
・
身の回り品
衣類・身の回り品
織物・衣類・身の回り品
その他 その他その他
その他
169億円
（37％）
169億円
169億円
（37％）
（37％） 169億円（37％）
合計 合計 合計
合計
148億円
148億円
（32％）
（32％） 148億円（32％）
225戸 ）（32％）
15%（148億円
458億円458億円
458億円
458億円

未

ジャガイモ

（ 197戸
） 197戸13%13%（13%（）197戸 ）
22年
27年

13%（ 197戸 ）
機械器具
機械器具
機械器具
（３％）
15億円
（３％）
15億円
） 114戸（ 114戸
）（３％）
21%（ 114戸
21%（21%（）114戸 ）15億円
21%

2012 20122012
16,192 16,19216,192

2012 2012 201216,192

2012
56,78156,78156,781

56,78120132013 20132013
17,390 17,39017,390

2013
2013 2013
17,390201358,60758,607
58,60758,607 20162014

2014 20142014

2014 19,104
2014 20142014 60,89560,895
60,89560,89520152015 2015

2015

2016

2016 2016

2016

2017

2017 20172017

20,367 20,36720,367

2015
2016

22,466 22,46622,4662017

2015
2015
20,0142016
2016
20,3672017 22,466
2017

2015
2016

78,899 78,89978,899
81,153 81,15381,153

Stone guardian dog of Kumano Shrine,
said to be the oldest in the prefecture

飲食料品
126億円
（28％）

In an immersion education program,students study a variety of subjects in
English.
In the beginning, we used Japanesesometimes to communicate with thestudents, but they soon got used toEnglish-only conversation. Since thestudents tended to be shy in front of
their friends, however, I tried to ask
them questions individually. It might
have been easier for them to respondin gym class and when I gave themquizzes during lunch, but in any casethey learned to communicate on a
deeper level and more and more
topics could be discussed.
Before coming to Japan I traveled tomany countries. The experiences I
had there made me appreciate theconcept of “Think globally, Act locally!”.
I really want to pass this idea on to thechildren of Karuizawa.

資料：商業統計調査
資料：商業統計調査
資料：商業統計調査
資料：商業統計調査

2012

20,014 20,01420,014

機械器具
15億円
（３％）飲食料品
飲食料品
飲食料品
126億円
（28％）
126億円
126億円
（28％）
（28％）

資料：農林業センサス
資料：農林業センサス
資料：農林業センサス
資料：農林業センサス

19,104 19,10419,104）内は全農家数

9%（ 367戸 ）Town of International Goodwill, Culture
and Tourism.17年） 225戸
15%（ 225戸
15%（15%（）225戸 ）17年
17年 17年

未 未 未（

The Present Status of our Town Development

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace♪ People Playing Tunes ♪

Education & Culture that nurtures people

2016 20162011

2011 2011

2016

2016 2016

2022
680（target）
680（target）
680（target）
2022

2022 2022

480
2016 480

78,8992022

The sports
facilities of Kazakoshi Park2017
80,640 80,64080,640

2022 2022

81,15380,640480480680（target）

19%

19%
19%
2011

22%

22%
2016

19%

22%

22%

40%（target）
40%（target）
40%（target）
2022

40%（target）

Nakakaruizawa Library

A prefectural cultural property“Mountain Pass Shinanoki Tree”

▲

Users of Kazakoshi Park
Multi-purpose Gymnasium

Users of SCAP Karuizawa

▲

Visitors to Former Mikasa Hotel


▲


▲

Numbers of town library users

2014

2014 20142014
175,215
175,215
175,21520142014 2014
175,215

2014

82,91182,911
82,911

201482,9112014 2014

61,38461,384
61,384
2014

61,3842014 2014 20142015

2015 2015

2015182,528
182,528
182,52820152015 2015
182,528

2015

80,61380,613
80,61380,61320152015 2015

67,130201567,13067,130

67,1302015
2015 2015

201587,77987,779
87,77920162016 2016

2016184,414
184,414
184,41420162016 2016
184,414

201675,96375,963
75,96375,96320162016 2016

2016

70,88520162016 2016

2016

2017

2017 20172017
180,845
180,845
180,84520172017 2017180,845

2017
70,34170,341
70,341

70,3412017 2017 20172017201774,502
2017 20172017 89,95689,956
89,95640

70,88570,885
70,88574,50274,502
74,50262,90562,90562,905
2014

95,67595,675
95,67562,90587,77995,67589,956

41

2012

2013

2013

2014

2014

2015

2015

2016

2016

2017

2017

2012

2012

432,000432,000
166,000 166,000
65,000 65,000
Total 663,000
Total 663,000

2013

2013

193,000 193,000
87,000 87,000
457,000457,000
Total 737,000
Total 737,000

2014

2014

209,000 209,000
95,000 95,000
495,000495,000
Total 799,000
Total 799,000

2015

2015

212,000 212,000
92,000 92,000
499,000499,000
Total 803,000
Total 803,000

100,985100,985

2016

2016

506,000506,000
226,000 226,000
95,000 95,000
Total 827,000
Total 827,000

103,265103,265

2017

2017

72,216 72,216
76,069 76,069

Town planning initiated by its residents based on civic cooperation
82,797 82,797

94,080 94,080

By fostering local ties and sharing
information, we strengthen the trust
between the town and its residents

3,670 3,670

Karuizawa Sta.
Karuizawa Sta.
Nakakaruizawa
Nakakaruizawa
Sta.
Sta.

286

2011

2016

2016

2022

2022

235

286

2011

235

2016

１spot
１spot
2011

2011

2011

100 spots
100 spots
Maintainingastrongsenseof community
is becoming more and more
important,
15 spots
15（ target）
spots（ target）
less than
less
180
than
（
target）
180（ target）
2022
2022
2022
2017

0 2011 0

2011
2012

2012
2013

2016

the town withflowers”
９ groups
９ groups
2016 “Fill2016
program

１0 spots１0 spots

2016

Mr. Arai Yoshimitsu

3,083 3,083
2013
2014

2014
2015

2015
2016

2016

Data source:East
Data source:East
Japan Railway
Japan Railway
Company
Company
NaganoNagano
Brunch BrunchOﬃce JROﬃce
Karuizawa
JR Karuizawa
StationStation

68 spots
68 spots

2011

A farmer in Karuizawa

3,355 3,355

Total 910,000
Total 910,000
269,000 269,000
94,000 94,000
547,000547,000

2011

3,602 3,602

2,889 2,889

Data provided
Data provided
by Shinano
by Shinano
RailwayRailway
Co., Ltd.
Co., Ltd.

2011♪ People Playing Tunes ♪

2,732 2,732

Shinano Oiwake
ShinanoSta.Oiwake Sta.

The Present Status of our Town Development

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace

2012

2017

15 groups
15（groups
target）（ target）
2022

305

2016

305

Volunteer trash clean-up
2022

362（target）
362（target）

2022

especially through the experiences of natural disasters or similar events.
Karuizawa Town has a lot of new people moving in, however, and it is sometimes
difficult for us to make an integrated community. In response, we are promoting
2012

2012

7,820,000
7,820,000

2013

2013

7,940,000
7,940,000

2014

2014

2015

2015

2016

2016

2017

2017

Spring（Spring
March（-March
May）- May）

Winter（December
Winter（December- February）- February）

better social interaction by making gooduseof （a11.0%）
variety of sporting1,100,000
and1,100,000
cultural（
12.9％）（ 12.9％）2011
940,000（
940,000
11.0%）
events. We are also
makingprogressbuildinga system
which the residents
8,370,000
8,370,000Autumn
Total inTotal（Autumn
September（in
September- November）- November）

2014

2014

SummerSummer(June - (June
August）- August）
2022

2022

2,050,000
2,050,000（ 24.0%）（ 24.0%） 8,550,0008,550,000

8,430,000
are encouraged to8,430,000
positively
think about local issues for themselves and try to take
8,470,000
8,470,000

17,158 17,158
2011

lead in solving problems
in cooperating with the town administration.
4,460,000
4,460,000（ 52.1%）（ 52.1%）8,550,000
8,550,000

136,000136,000
200,000（target）
200,000（target）

Try our Karuizawa
vegetables - they look
beautiful and taste great!

The foundation of this residents’ participation is the provision of information
related to the town administration. We are proceeding with town development in（ ）内は全農家数（providing）内は全農家数
trust relationship between residents and平成
the7年平成
administrationas
its baseby
7年）（ 382戸 ）7%（ 382戸7%

レタス レタスadministration-related information throughthe town
367戸）（ 367戸 ）12年
12年 “Koho
9%（Karuizawa”,
9%

ハクサイハクサイ（ 225戸）（ 225戸
）
15%
17年
17年
未 web
未 site and an e-mail distribution
government’s
service, as 15%
well
aslisteningtoその他 その他
148億円
（32％）
148億円
（32％）

キャベツキャベツ

）（ 197戸 ）13%（ 197戸
13%
22年
22年
the voices of the people through our programs
including “Letter
to Mayor” and

ジャガイモ
ジャガイモ

27年

）
（ 114戸 ）21%（ 114戸
21%

27年“Town Meeting with Mayor” and variety of questionnaires and conferences.
資料：農林業センサス
資料：農林業センサス

201216,192 16,192

2012

2013

2013

2014

2014

2015

2015

2016

2016

2012
2013

58,607 58,607

2014

2014

60,895 60,895

20,014 20,014

2015

2015

20,367 20,367

2016

2016

2017

2017

19,104 19,104

22,466 22,466

2017

2014

2015

2015

2016
2017

175,215175,215

2014

2014

182,528182,528

2015

2015

2016

184,414184,414

2016

2016

2017

180,845180,845

2017

2017

2015

2015

2022

2022

665

665
1,058 1,058

1,100（target）
1,100（target）

2011

2011

2016

2016

2022

2022

2016

2016

480

480

5,748 5,748
10,294 10,294
11,000（11,000
target（）target ）

2017

2011

2011

2016

2016

2022

2022

19%

2017

67,130 67,130
70,885 70,885
74,502 74,502

any
22%community association. In response, we are trying to foster agreater sense of community togetherness and encouraging moresocialinteraction through exchange events with holiday house
40%（target）
40%（target）
residents.
In the Oiwake district, we hold an annual festival called the “Shinano
Oiwake Magouta dochu”, which has become the town’s representative
event. It was first planned when the Oiwake Museum of Local History
was completed to help invigorate the local area. In the festival, a boy
working as a traditional horse tender leads a horse carrying a mounted
62,9052014 samurai or62,905
traveleralong the old Nakasendo route while singing
Oiwake Magouta 87,779
that wascomposed here and then spread across the2015
87,779nation, just like in the old days. The festival helps to foster a sense of
2016
95,675 95,675
local community togetherness across the generations.

22%

2022

61,384 61,384

19%

2014
2015
2016
2017

89,956 89,956

2017

Numbers of foreign residents(as of April, 2018)


▲

2011

70,341 70,341


▲

42

2011

Sawayaka Karuizawa Exchange Meeting

There are 30 neighborhood community
associations in Karuizawa and the residents ofeach are working together for the sake of thetown’s development, tackling landscaping andotherissues.
The associations
allshare some
82,911
82,911
2014
2014
common issues, such as integrating new
80,613 80,613
2015
2015
residents and holiday home temporary
75,96375,963
2016to become
2016
residents
who don’t registerpart of

Numbers of people resistered forthe e-mail distribution service▲

Numbers of registeredvolunteers

資料：商業統計調査
資料：商業統計調査

2022

Mr. Hagiwara Satoichi
2014

飲食料品飲食料品
126億円
（28％）
126億円
（28％）

Harnessing the power of the78,899 78,899
community
to make Karuizawa
an680（target）
680（target）
81,153 81,153
easy
80,640and80,640comfortable place to live

Chairman of the Neighborhood
Community Associations’ Heads(Head of the Oiwake District)

機械器具機械器具
15億円
（３％）
15億円
（３％）

織物・衣類
織物
・身の回り品・衣類・身の回り品
169億円
（37％）
169億円
（37％）

56,781 56,781

2013

17,390 17,390♪ People Playing Tunes ♪
2017

2012

合計
合計
458億円458億円

Chinese97

Vietnamese 25

Australian

11

American69

Canadian

21

Nepalese

10

Korean45

British20

French

10

Thai

34

German14

Others107

Indian11

Taiwanese 30

The great thing about agriculture isthat you are able to work in nature,according to your own plan. On our
farm, we are currently cultivating
lettuce, red-leaf lettuce, cabbage,
Chinese cabbage and other highlandvegetables. Karuizawa’s excellent“Kuroboku soil” is filled with organic
matter and is permeable but with goodwater retention. On top of that, theclimate in summer is cool, with a large
difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, so we can growtender and really delicious vegetables.
No matter who they are, everyone will
enjoy our beautiful and delicious
vegetables and will clearly know thatthey have been painstakingly grown inorder to ensure that the highest quality
has been attained.
In order to utilize our fields mosteffectively, after the summer andautumn harvests we plant a wintercrop of onions that can be harvested
the following spring.
In non-growing seasons, I also work
as a ski instructor, making good useof my past experience as a ski
technique championships competitor.
I will continue to try my best to make apositive contribution to the community.

Total
504

43

Proceeding with Effective Administrationand Sound Fiscal Management

Vice Mayor
Yanagisawa Hiroshi

Mayor
Fujimaki Susumu

Superintendent ofBoard of Education
Ogiwara Masaru

The 16 members of the Council reflect
the citizens’ voices in the town policy

The Present Status of our Town Development

Concerto of the Wind The 3rd Movement Allegro Vivace

Town with Sustainable Self-governance

Town Council

We aim to build a sustainable and autonomous

Karuizawa Town Council consists of 16 members. As

town in an era of decentralization, actively

we move toward our goal of creating a workplace with

implementing necessary administrative reforms

gender equality, five of them are now women. Since

and precisely addressing the increasingly

January 2011, the Council has implemented a year-round

specialized and diverse needs of the residents.

term to manage its schedule more effectively and toWith the purpose in mind, while maintaining

strengthen its oversight function. In order to respond tosound control of our finances, we take positive

the mandate of the citizens who play the leading role insteps to secure our own financial resources further

the town policy, we are working to make a council inand proceed with effective fiscal management.

which the citizens can participate. We have also enacted

We will be working hard to create a solida “Council Basic Ordinance” to continue and further

foundation for the town from which we can movedevelop the council reforms so that the voices of theforward confidently into the next 100 years.

people are reflected in the town policy.

ChairmanIchimura Mamoru

Vice Chairman
Sato Toshiaki

Karuizawa Town Council

44

45

K a r u i z a w a

H i s t o r y

C h a r t

The course of Karuizawa’s 95-year Histor y
A Prologue to the nex t c entur y
1923

Higashi Nagakura Village becomes a town andofficially changes its name to “Karuizawa Town”(population 5012 / 890 households).

1925

Karuizawa’s first town report is issued.

1926

Kusatsudenkitetsudo railway line from

1929

Shinkaruizawa Station to Kusatsu Station iscompleted.

The town’s water works system is completed.
Karuizawa Tourist Association is established.

1935

St. Paulo Catholic Church is established.

1936

A festival is held celebrating the 50th anniversary

1942

Nishinagakura Village merges with Karuizawa
Town, raising the population to 8746.

1945

Mikasa and Manpei Hotels are taken over by the
US Army.

1949

Some area in Karuizawa are designated as“Joshin-etsukogen National Park”.

1951“Act on Construction of Karuizawa as a Town ofInternational Goodwill, Culture and Tourism” is

1971

Usui Toll Bypass on Route 18 is completed.

1972

The Mayor and citizens meet for a public

1973“Karuizawa Citizens’ Charter” is established in

1974

1958
1959

1963

The first International Karuizawa Goodwill andFriendship Party is held. It becomes an annual
event.

The ice hockey competition of the 33rd National

Tokyo Olympic equestrian events are held in
Karuizawa. (48 athletes from 12 countries
participate)

1968

The first Wakaba Matsuri (Festival of the New
Leaves) is held. It becomes an annual event.
Karuizawa Town and Campos do Jordao City in
San Paulo State, Brazil become sister cities.
The new Karuizawa Town Office is completed.
The first Momiji Matsuri (Autumn Leaves
Festival) is held. It becomes an annual event.
The first Kori Matsuri (Ice Festival) is held. It
becomes an annual event.

Winter Athletic Meet (nicknamed the YAMABIKO
National Athletic Meet) is held in Karuizawa.

1980

Former Mikasa Hotel is designated as a national
important cultural property.
Karuizawa Museum of History and Culture is opened.

1982

Karuizawa Workers’ Sports Center is opened.

1985

Oiwakejuku Museum of Local History is opened.
A monument to A.C.Shaw is set up (by Karuizawa
Rotary Club).
A native-speaking English teacher is employed toteach at the junior and senior high schools in
Karuizawa Town.
A “Karuizawa 100” Ceremony is held to celebrate
the 100th anniversary of the town as a health resort.

The World Sprint Speed Skating Championships
are held.

1989

1989 Karuizawa World Cup Speed Skating
Competition is held.

1990

The town’s general accounting budget reaches
10 billion yen.
Kazakoshi Park Arena is completed.
1990 Karuizawa World Cup Speed Skating
Competition is held.

Women’s and Men’s World Speed SkatingChampionships are held. (120 athletes from 20
countries participate)

1964

1969

46

“Outline for Good Maintenance of Public
Manners in Karuizawa”is enforced.

1996

A Tree Planting Festival (with 43 species from allover the world) is held at “Olympic Forest” in1992

1992/93 Karuizawa World Cup Speed Skating
Competition is held.

1993

Joshin-etsu Expressway is opened to traffic(Fujioka IC - Saku IC, 89.5 km)
The 70th commemorative ceremony of theestablishment of Karuizawa Town is held
Primrose and Magnolia are designated as the
Town Flower and Town Tree.
Kazakoshi Park is selected as the venue for the1998 Nagano Winter Olympics curlingcompetition.

Joshin-etsu Express way is opened to traffic.

2012

1997

’97 World Junior Curling Championships are
held.
Hokuriku Shinkansen, Shinano Railway and JR

2013

1999

the public.

2000

2001

The renovated SCAP Karuizawa is reopened.

2015

Hokuriku Shinkansen service is extended toKanazawa.

2016

2017

are designated as Town Bird and Town Animal.
Test runs of the town loop bus are conducted.

2006

The town’s Family Registration system iscomputerized.

2007

Health and welfare Center “Komorebinosato” isopened.
The former Swiss legation (Miyamaso) ispurchased.

2009

The name of “Kazakoshi Park Arena” is changed
to “Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park Ice Arena” and it
reopens as a year-round ice rink.

2011

Karuizawa is presented with a Natural
Environment Award of Merit by the Minister ofthe Environment.
“A Town Promoting the use of Renewable Energy”
declaration is passed by the Town Council.

The ice hockey competition of the 72nd WinterNational Athletic Meet (nicknamed Nagano

Ginrei National Athletic Meet) is held in
Karuizawa.
An agreement for comprehensive cooperation
with Shinshu University, the Research Center forSocial Systems, Shinshu University and ResearchCenter for Advanced Science and Technology,
the University of Tokyo is concluded.

Japanese Brown Thrush and Japanese Squirrel

Grand Opening of Karuizawa Ohga Hall.

Construction of the new Karuizawa Junior HighSchool building is completed.
Community Farmer’s Market “Karuizawa Hotchi

Ichiba” grand opening.
G7 Karuizawa Nagano Transport Ministers’ Meetingis held.

A ceremony commemorates the 80th anniversaryof the establishment of Karuizawa Town is held.

2005

Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park Multi-purpose
Gymnasium is opened.

Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park Sports Field isreopened after renovation.

Karuizawa FM Radio starts broadcasting.
“Karuizawa Apartment Method Declaration” isissued.

A 400m skating rink in Kazakoshi Park iscompleted.

2003

2014

Karuizawa Town’s web site is established.
The Karuizawa Olympic Commemorative
Museum is opened.
The first Karuizawa Shaw Festival is held.

Nakakaruizawa Library is opened within
Kutsukake Terrace.
“Karuizawa Ice Park,” is opened.
The town population reaches 20,000.

A declaration establishing sister-city relations issigned with Whistler, BC, Canada.
The former residence of Muro Saisei is opened to

Civic Center “Kutsukake Terrace,” is opened.

Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park curling venue,

The Curling Competition of the 18th WinterOlympics in Nagano is held at Kazakoshi Park
Arena (Feb.9-15).

Station building is opened.
The first “Sawayaka Karuizawa Exchange
The rapid-charging devices for electric vehicles
is installed.

Bus started operations.

1998

The new Shinano Railway Nakakaruizawa

Meeting” is held. It becomes an annual event.

Kazakoshi Park.

Forest” is opened.

1978

1986

The access road to Usui Karuizawa IC on“Karuizawa National Wild Bird Sanctuary

Karuizawa Botanical Garden is opened.

of Karuizawa Town as a summer resort.

5 skating rinks are constructed (Karuizawa,
Hanareyama, Hoshino, Amamiya and Sengataki
indoor rink).

commemorating the 50th anniversary of thetown’s establishment.

1975

proclaimed.

1952

discussion. (twice monthly)

1994

2018

Men’s Curling Team SC Karuizawa Club
represents Japan at the PyeongChang WinterOlympics and got 8th place.
“G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitionsand Global Environment for Sustainable Growth”
is decided to be held June 15 and 16, 2019 in
Karuizawa Town.

47

Seasonal Calendar of Featured Events

Basic Karuizawa Town Planning OrdinanceKaruizawa is a highland town blessed with lush green natural surroundings embracing
magnificent Mt. Asama. Ever since the Canadian Anglican Church missionary Rev. Alexander

SPRING

Croft Shaw first visited in 1886 and introduced the town as a summer resort domestically andMarch - May

Wakaba Matsuri (late April – early June)
Karuizawa Oga Hall Spring Music Festival

internationally, it has nurtured its history and culture as an international health resort.
The rich nature in Karuizawa Town have been protected and developed by our predecessors,
and they are the source of the culture and history of the town. While protecting and developing
the wonderful natural environment along with its culture and history as valuable assets of(late April – early May)

Japan, we must also maintain good living conditions for our residents. Our goal is to preserve

Dongurigaeshi (Tree Planting Festival, mid-May)an environment in which everyone can enjoy a healthy life with peace of mind that enriches

Kumanokotai Shrine Spring Festival (May 15)
Karuizawa Half Marathon (late May)

people’s minds, from both global and forward-looking points of view. It can be said that
passing what we have now down to future generations is the duty imposed on us who live inthis highland town.
Recognizing the above, we’re determined to proceed with our town planning with thecooperation of all those who are related to Karuizawa whilst acknowledging roles andresponsibilities we all should take and clarifying how to develop our town. For this purpose, we
hereby establish the basic Karuizawa Town Planning Ordinance that serves as the basis for

SUMMER

all ordinances related to our town planning.

June - August

Established on June 22, 2007

Shinano Oiwake Magouta Dochu (early July)

Revised on December 25, 2015

Sawayaka Karuizawa Exchange Meeting(late July - early August)

Karuizawa Shaw Festival (early August)
Karuizawa Summer College (August 2-4)
Fireworks in various locations(July - August)

AUTUMN

September - November

Town Crest

Town Flag

This logo was designed in 1960

The colors of Karuizawa’s natural surroundings are used. The mainand is in the shape of the letter‘か’orange color – yellow red – comes from the autumn leaves and thefrom Karuizawa. It also represents a

Mt. Asama volcano. The light blue color represents the air and thebird – the symbol of peace – taking

dark blue color stands for water. The white trim between each color

wing.

comes from the original material of the flag.

Momiji Matsuri (late September - early November)
Holiday Walk in Karuizawa (mid-October)
Kumanokotai Shrine Autumn Festival (October 15)
Karuizawa Resort Marathon (late October)
Town’s General Cultural Exhibition(early November)

Karuizawa Cultural Festival (late November)

WINTER

Town Flower: Primrose / Town tree: Magnolia Town bird: Japanese Brown Thrush /Designated on the 70th anniversary of the establishment Town animal: Japanese Squirrelof the town in 1993.

Karuizawa Town’s Mascot: RUIZA-chan

December - February

Karuizawa Winter Festival(late November - early March)

White Christmas in Karuizawa,skating・ice hockey・curling competitions
and wedding events

Kazakoshi Park Ice Skating Rink Opens(December - March)48

Ski slopes open (December - March)

Designated on the 80th anniversary of the establishmentof the town in 2003.

karuizawaK a r u i z a w a To w n ’s
Symbol designated on
the 90th anniversaryof its establishment in
2013.

The cheerful and lively Karuizawa mascot isbased on the mountains surrounding the town. Its
head represents Mt. Asama and the town flower,
primrose, while the body symbolizes the clear
streams and wind in Karuizawa.

49