KARUIZAWA

Summer resorts are also a culture that began with the upper classes.
At the time, people did not simply visit to escape the summer heat, but also to escape diseases such as cholera, which were more likely to break out in urban areas when the weather got hot.
Shops that were frequented by wealthy people in the city also opened in Karuizawa during the summer, following the people with vacation homes as they find themselves without much time to do so. It seems that it also served as a recreational trip for employees.
Now that ways of spending the summer have diversified, the number of such shops has decreased a little, but there are still a few left in Tokyo.

The standard length of stay at a summer resort is one or two months.
The people who lived in these villas brought cultures of horse riding, cycling, tennis, golf, and other activities to Karuizawa.
Then when the season ends and the store closes, any unsold items are sold at a discount. That was the beginning of the Karuizawa bargains.
An essential element of Karuizawa's villa culture is interaction that transcends social status and occupation.
We had fun having parties at our homes and gathering at cafes.

To enjoy this villa culture, you don't even need to own a villa in Karuizawa.
In Karuizawa, you can enjoy your favorite pension as a substitute for your own vacation home.
The first step is to find a guesthouse you like.