Karuizawa Resort Town — Mountain Retreat Since 1886

Karuizawa (軽井沢) is Japan's original resort town, established in 1886 when Canadian missionary Alexander Croft Shaw built a villa here and recommended the cool highland climate (1,000m elevation) as a summer escape from Tokyo's heat. The town quickly became a retreat for diplomats, missionaries, and wealthy Japanese families. Today, Karuizawa is known for luxury villas, European-style architecture, upscale shopping (Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza), and outdoor recreation.

The town maintains a carefully preserved alpine village aesthetic — no high-rises, tree-lined streets, and strict building codes. Cultural attractions include the Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Chapel (1895, the town's oldest wooden church) and the Peynet Art Museum (housed in a fairy-tale-style building). In summer, temperatures are 5–10°C cooler than Tokyo; in autumn, the surrounding forests turn vibrant red and gold. Karuizawa is popular for weekend getaways, second homes, and destination weddings.