Karuizawa's History


Following World War II, until present day, Karuizawa has become ever more popular as a vacation spot for missionaries as well as the average Japanese living in and around Tokyo. The hot summer months become unbearable during July and August and Karuizawa offers a breather from the hot Tokyo humidity.


Historic Transportation To Karuizawa 1880's - 1980's


With many specialty stores from Tokyo opening summer branches in Karuizawa, many Japanese flee the Tokyo heat to walk up and down the Ginza in Karuizawa. Karuizawa's permanent residents number about 15000, but visitors during the summer now top 8,000,000.



The former Crown Prince's highly publicized tennis court romance in 1957 in Karuizawa with Michiko, now Empress of Japan sealed the town's future as a popular national vacation spot. Karuizawa now boasts 1,150 tennis courts and some of the best golfing in the world, including a 72 hole course just outside of town.


Modern Transportatioin To Karuizawa 1980's - 1990's

New Hokuriku Shinkansen To Karuizawa


Karuizawa is also known for it's good ski slopes during the winter. The ice skating arena in Naka-Karuizawa has hosted a number of International events over the years and this winter, Karuizawa is the chosen site for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics to hold the "Curling" event. Due to the coming of the Olympics to Karuizawa, new roads, new facilities and a new train has come to Karuizawa. The new Hokuriku Shinkansen now tears out of Takasaki and with new track laid, is able to make the 3000 foot climb up the Usui Pass without the aid of additional engines.

Click Here For Nagano Olympics Site

Click Here For 1998 Nagano Olympics Site !




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