With its comparatively cool summer weather, its cold refreshing nights, its heavy air-clearing showers, its southern aspect, and its position close to some of the most picturesque mountain scenery of Japan, Karuizawa leaves little to be desired as a summer retreat.... while quite recently even Japanese gentlemen of high degree have begun to build houses and introduce their families.

In the following decades, the town attracted visitors from across the country seeking to escape the heat of summer and enjoy vacations, as well as a significant number of Westerners.

Unlike many other hill stations, Karuizawa was actively open to the natives from the beginning, and many Japanese scholars, artists and others had already built "Western-style" villas in the town by the early 20th century.

[14] In the 21st century the town retains significant Western cultural influence,[15][16] and its alpine beauty and cool summer climate (similar to parts of Europe) continue to draw visitors.

More recently, Karuizawa has become a popular year-round resort for mainly Japanese, offering many outdoor sports, hot springs and recreational activities.

Convenient road and rail access from central Tokyo has ensured Karuizawa's popularity as a location for second homes and resort hotels since the Meiji era.

New high speed rail links has resulted in modest population growth and the development of large outlet style shopping malls.

I have far more memories of the minutiae of life there than I do of the much longer periods of time spent in Tokyo.Karuizawa is an old summer resort in Japan very much like the Hamptons except it's in the mountains.

John & I fell in love with the place, and found ourselves going there almost every day with Sean.They (Olivia's parents) had two properties up in Karuizawa in the mountains for the summer.