Exploring Karuizawa Through Five Distinct Areas: The History and Character of Its Villa Districts

Karuizawa offers a rich variety of settings, from areas that carry on its long-standing villa culture to those gaining attention for their convenience and new lifestyle appeal. The key to understanding each location lies in viewing its history, natural environment, and culture through the lens of its distinct area. In this column, we look at Karuizawa through five areas—Kyu-Karuizawa, Minamigaoka and Minamihara, Shin-Karuizawa, Naka-Karuizawa, and Minami-Karuizawa—and introduce the unique character and appeal of each as a villa destination.

Karuizawa’s villa culture is said to have begun in 1886, when Canadian missionary Alexander Croft Shaw discovered the area as a summer retreat, later building the first villa in Kyu-Karuizawa in 1888. The elegance and image of Karuizawa as a villa destination that continue to this day are rooted in the culture nurtured here. Historic churches, hotels, and villas still remain throughout the area, preserving a refined townscape shaped over many decades.

While Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street offers a lively atmosphere, just a little farther in, quiet villa neighborhoods unfold amid the trees. The area around Kajima-no-Mori, in particular, can be seen as one of Kyu-Karuizawa’s most secluded and distinguished enclaves. With its history, scenery, and prestige, it is an ideal area for those seeking a place that truly embodies the spirit of Karuizawa.

Minamigaoka and Minamihara are among Karuizawa’s most representative villa districts, known for their beautiful woodland scenery and calm, refined streetscapes. Many properties here sit on relatively spacious plots, with generous distance between neighboring homes, offering the appeal of quiet, unhurried time surrounded by greenery.

Long favored by those who love Karuizawa, the area preserves the tranquil atmosphere of a mature villa destination. It is especially well suited to those who value calm over stimulation, and in recent years has gained support not only as a place for vacation homes, but also for dual-location living and permanent residence.

Shin-Karuizawa is centered around Karuizawa Station and the surrounding area. With excellent access to the station, commercial facilities, and everyday conveniences, it allows visitors to enjoy Karuizawa even during a limited stay. At the same time, just a short distance from the main roads and station front, quiet villa neighborhoods rich in greenery unfold.

The area has developed alongside the opening of Karuizawa Station, and is defined by its balance of urban accessibility and Karuizawa’s natural environment. It is well suited to dual-location residents who travel frequently to and from Tokyo, and is also drawing attention as a base for workations. For those who value convenience without sacrificing the tranquility of a villa setting, Shin-Karuizawa is an ideal choice.

Naka-Karuizawa lies between Karuizawa Station and Shinano-Oiwake, and has attracted growing attention in recent years. With the Hoshino Area, Harunire Terrace, hot springs, and other amenities nearby, it offers an environment where residents and visitors can enjoy shopping, dining, and leisure while staying close to nature.

Cafés and shops are also scattered throughout the surrounding area, making Naka-Karuizawa a place that is adding new ways of spending time and new values to Karuizawa’s traditional identity as a summer retreat. This environment has drawn interest from younger generations seeking a new style of Karuizawa living, as well as from dual-location residents. Increasingly, it is chosen not only for vacation homes, but also as a place for everyday life. Combining rich natural surroundings with modern convenience, Naka-Karuizawa is an area that symbolizes Karuizawa today.

Minami-Karuizawa stretches from the south side of Karuizawa Station toward the Hotchi area, and is known for its expansive natural setting. Lake Shiozawa, spacious golf courses, and open rural landscapes coexist here, giving the area a calm character distinct from Kyu-Karuizawa and Naka-Karuizawa. This open scenery, shaped over time by both nature and human activity, is a unique value of Minami-Karuizawa that cannot easily be recreated.

The area offers easy access to golf and leisure, while its spacious land has also encouraged the development of new resort facilities and hotels. In a town where many villa districts are already mature, Minami-Karuizawa continues to evolve while preserving its rich natural environment. It is well suited to those who value openness and future potential, and who wish to create a new style of stay in Karuizawa.

For more on this area, please also see our column article, “Minami-Karuizawa — a serene haven for long-term stays, where the dream of living in Karuizawa comes true.”