軽井沢国際交流協会
International Association of Karuizawa (IAK)
Karuizawa Town
Located around 1,000 meters above sea level at the foot of the volcanic Mt. Asama, Karuizawa once prospered as a post station town, and then from 1890 onwards as a summer resort frequented by foreign missionaries, later becoming a noted holiday resort. With lush greenery and vistas throughout the year, many people come to enjoy such sports as tennis, golf, skiing, ice-skating and curling.After the war, Karuizawa was known as a city of international friendship, culture and tourism, hosting the equestrian and curling events at the 1964 and 1998 Olympics respectively, and ministerial conferences such as for various G20 and G7 summits.
Modern-day Karuizawa faces some changes: an increase in commuters to Tokyo, relocation of work-from-home employees from urban areas, and day-trippers (holiday-makers).
In 2020, Karuizawa declared its intent to be a “zero-carbon city” to decrease its carbon dioxide emissions and conserve its greenery.
The IAK was established in 2012 by volunteers who wereKaruizawa residents as a non-profit organization (NPO),before converting in September 2022 into a voluntary organization to lessen administrative restrictions and widen its scope of activities. Its objectives are as follows:
Membership is free and open to anyone (regardless of residence, nationality or age) interested in the IAK’s activities and objectives. To join, please submit your name, required membership type, mailing address, email address, and telephone details to the IAK office:
Karuizawa Kokusai-koryu Kyokai (IAK)
2141-428 Nagakura, Karuizawa, 389-0111
e-mail: info@iakaruizawa.com
