Relationship with the Imperial Family
In September 1878, during the Emperor Meiji’s tour of the Hokuriku and Tokai regions, Karuizawa’s encounter with the imperial family began at the Karuizawa Gozaisho.
As Karuizawa became well known as a summer resort, the town was incorporated on August 1, 1923 from the then Higashinagakura-mura Oaza Karuizawa to Karuizawa Town. From August 17 to 25 of the same year, Emperor Showa stayed at Shigenobu Okuma’s villa for an eight-day summer retreat.
In the Showa Period, during World War II, Empress Dowager Sadamei evacuated to the Grand Palace (formerly Karuizawa), and Her Imperial Highness Michiko Shoda (present-day Empress Shogo) also evacuated to this area, transferring to the 5th grade of Karuizawa First National School Elementary School. After the war, Their Majesties the Showa Emperor and Empress and the Crown Prince and Princess continued their summer stays in Karuizawa, and the construction of villas for imperial families, including Prince Mikasa, and furthermore, in 1958, the Showa period saw the establishment of the Karuizawa Tennis Club. From the construction of tennis courts in Karuizawa in 1958 to the marriage of the Crown Prince and Princess Michiko, and the birth of Prince Hiromiya, Prince Reinomiya, and Prince Norimiya, the town has welcomed the Imperial Family every summer, continuing the deep relationship between the two.
The citizens of Karuizawa have welcomed the Imperial Family with the greatest honor, pride, and joy over the long history of their relationship with the Imperial Family.
The town’s residents were especially moved by the poem “Yusuge no uta” (“Evening Sedge”), which begins with the words of Her Majesty the Queen, followed by “asamakisuge” seeds from the Crown Prince’s Palace, which were distributed to the entire town.
The people of Karuizawa, in light of this history and the care with which many members of the Imperial Family have cherished their encounters in Karuizawa, hope that someday a royal residence will be built in Karuizawa that can be used with peace of mind.
The following chronological table traces the footsteps of the Imperial Family and Karuizawa.
Chronology of events involving Karuizawa and the Imperial Family
Meiji era (1868.9.8-1912.7.30)
| September 6, 1911 | On the occasion of the Emperor Meiji’s tour of the Hokuriku and Tokai regions, he took a short rest at Kumano Kotai Shrine in Toge-cho. Lunch at Orie Sato, former headquarters at Karuizawa-juku. Oibu-juku: Lunch at Ichizo Tsuchiya, former headquarters at Oibu-juku. |
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Taisho era (1912.7.30-1926.12.25)
| November 25, 2010 | Inauguration of the Prince Regent (Emperor Showa) |
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| August 3, 2011 | Asakamiya: Summer Retreat to Amamiya Villa in Karu |
| August 1, 2000 | Karuizawa Town enacted as a town |
| August 17, 2000 | The Emperor Regent (Showa Emperor) returns to Tokyo on August 25 for a summer retreat at the Okuma Villa. |
| Enjoy golf at Karuizawa Golf Club (now Old Golf) | |
| 15 years | Kitashirakawa Palace built a new villa in Kutsumigake. Fushimi Palace, Asakamiya Palace, Kayo Palace, Higashifushimi Palace, Takeda Palace, and Kitashirakawa Palace are on the list of summer vacation celebrities. |
Showa era (1926.12.25-1989.1.7)
| April 23, 2 years | Construction of a new villa at Takeda Palace |
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| 3 years | Asakamiya villa was built. |
| August 29, 2008 | Prince Takahito of Suminomiya visited Japan (stayed at Asakamiya Villa until the 31st) (built in the elementary school garden with donations; donation: 204.78 yen, total construction cost: 199 yen) |
| December 3, 2010 | Unveiling Ceremony of the Monument for the Preservation of the Sacred Sites of the Meiji Emperor (Karuizawa Gozaisho Site, Karuizawa Hotel) (Preserved monuments: Karuizawa Gozaisho of the Meiji Emperor, Toge Gokoshujo, Toge Gozensui, and Karuizawa Gozensui) |
| May 20, 2008 | Michiko Shoda (current Empress Shoda) evacuated and transferred to Karuizawa First National School Elementary 5th grade. (Enrolled until September) |
| August 15, 20. | World War II ends in defeat. |
| August 20, 1887 | Empress Dowager Joumei went to the Omiya Palace (Kondo Villa on Futatebashi) for evacuation (returned on December 5) |
| 22 | Ltd. acquires the Asakamiya Villa and opens it as the Chigataki Prince Hotel (in business for only one year). |
| October 7, 1947 | Emperor Showa received the Emperor in the Higashi Elementary School grounds during his tour of the Koshin region and inspected the Ohinata Settlement. |
| August 11, 2012 | Summer Retreat in Karuizawa by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (Prince Akihito) (Mitsui Villa, Mrs. Vining teaching English) |
| August 12, 2012 | Visit to Onishidashi with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, Mrs. Vining and alumni (Guided by Mayor Tsuneo Sato and Mr. Uchiyama, Director of Nagano Prefectural Karuizawa Office) |
| August 2, 1950 | Summer retreat of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince in Karuizawa (Chigataki Prince Hotel) *His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince visited Karuizawa every summer until 1988, and visited Karuizawa in the autumn of 1988. |
| August 2, 2013 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince enjoys horseback riding in Karuizawa Highlands (guidance by Tadayoshi Kobayashi, Director of Tourism Division) |
| August 27. | Horseback riding with Crown Prince Yoshinomiya (later Prince Hitachi) at Karuizawa Highlands |
| October 20, 1953 | Since 1949, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince has been summering in Karuizawa every summer. In 1953, he attended the coronation of the Queen of Great Britain on June 2 as the representative of His Majesty the Emperor. After returning home, he healed the fatigue of his trip for the first time in Karuizawa in autumn. |
| August 2, 2009 | Lecture on “On Ancient History” at Prince Mikasa’s Karuizawa Summer University |
| July 30 | Mikasa Palace: New villa built in Mikasa Jishiki |
| July 25, 1955 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress Showa visited the summer resort of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince They stayed at the Karuizawa Prince Hotel (Sengataki) and stayed together until the 28th. Arrival at Karuizawa Station at 1:50 p.m. on the 25th by a courtesy train ⇒ Prince Hotel (Sengataki) Night: Lantern parade by local Kutsugake Ward residents. Their Majesties the Emperor and the Crown Prince held the lanterns in their hands and came out to the gate. 26th: The three of them visited Oniohashidashi and collected plants under the guidance of Prof. Hara |
| August 3, 2011 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince visits Japan Jamboree Opening Ceremony (13,000 participants from 18 Boy Scout countries, Jizogahara, Minamikaruizawa) |
| September 3, 1933 | Visit to Karuizawa Gakuen with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Yoshinomiya (welcoming all children of Seibu Elementary School) |
| November 27, 1933 | A congratulatory telegram was sent to the Crown Prince and the Shoda family in the name of the Mayor of the town upon hearing the news of the Crown Princess’s appointment. |
| April 10, 1934 | Crown Prince Akihito and Michiko Shoda marry |
| April 10, 34 | Congratulatory ceremony for the wedding of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (junior high school) *Flag processions also held in the old, new, and middle light wards |
| April 14, 1934 | (150 people participated in the tree-planting ceremony co-sponsored by the prefecture, the Forestry Bureau, the Afforestation Federation, and the town of Karuizawa at the Washiana land registry. ) |
| February 24, 1935 | Birthday celebration for His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince Naruhito (Prince Hiromiya) held (junior high school) |
| January 22, 1961 | Opening Ceremony of the 16th National Winter Athletic Meet Skating Competition, with Prince Takamatsu in attendance |
| August 22, 1939 | Crown Prince and Princess visit Shiozawa area and observe milking operation |
| August 27, 1964 | Inspection of Prince Mikasa’s Asama Academy |
| September 1, 1939 | Crown Prince and Princess visit the Ohinata Settlement |
| August 17, 1940 | Climbing Koasama with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (for the third time) |
| August 20, 1942 | With Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Pikram of Nepal during their summer visit to Japan Visit to the Ohinata Settlement |
| September 1, 1948 | Inspection of surveying work by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) with Crown Prince Hirohito and Prince Rei (Mt. Happuzan) |
| September 2, 1949 | Hiromiya: Plant collection from the old Usui Pass and Ichinojisan (commentary by Kiyoshi Shimazaki, Director of the Community Center) |
| August 4, 1950 | Hiromiya Town Archives (Next to the junior high school, former archives, former villa of Minister of Finance Katsuta Chikara, renovated and opened in September 1963) |
| August 3, 1951 | Visit to Hiomiya Toriihara District |
| August 25, 1976 | Crown Prince and Princess visit the town library (opened in July 1976) |
| January 22, 1953 | The 33rd National Winter Skating Competition (Ice Hockey Competition) was held, attended by Prince Mikasa |
| August 23, 1953 | Reinomiya: Visit to the town hall for social studies (Mayor Masato Sato and Community Center Director Kiyoshi Shimazaki explained about the town government) |
| October 13, 1953 | His Majesty’s train passes through Karuizawa Station to greet His Majesty’s arrival at the opening ceremony of the Yamabiko National Athletic Meet (Nagano City). |
| October 19, 1953 | The 33rd National Athletic Meet (Yamabiko National Athletic Meet) Rifle Shooting Competition |
| February 5, 1955 | 29th Prince Mikasa Cup Central Japan Skating Competition held |
| August 18, 1980 | Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess visit the Karuizawa Botanical Garden (Karuizawa Botanical Garden opened in July 1975) |
| August 19, 1955 | Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess enjoying tennis with students at the tennis court of the General Sports Ground |
| August 27, 1957 | The Crown Prince’s Palace bestows “300 Asama-kisuge” to the Karuizawa Botanical Garden (to be distributed to public facilities) |
| February 25, 1958 | Mikasa-no Miya Cup 32nd Central Japan Skating Competition held (191 participants until 26th, staying at Mikasa-no Miya Prince Hotel) |
| August 31, 1958 | The Crown Prince’s Palace presented the Karuizawa Botanical Garden with “600 Asama kisuge plants” (distributed to public facilities) |
| August 19, 1958 | Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess visit the “Pressed Flower Exhibition” of wild flowers in Karuizawa (Central Community Center) |
| September 3, 1959 | The Crown Prince’s Palace presented the Karuizawa Botanical Garden with “300 Asama-kisuge” (distributed to public facilities) |
| August 10, 1961 | Karuizawa International Goodwill Reception, with the presence of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess (Karuizawa Prince Hotel) Commemorative Ceremony held for the 100th Anniversary of the Insurance Recreation Area International Goodwill Reception held afterwards in Karuizawa with the presence of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess |
| January 27, 1962 | The 42nd National Athletic Meet of Ice Hockey held *The Crown Prince and Princess visit Japan (stay until January 30) |
| August 8, 1962 | Karuizawa International Goodwill Fellowship, with the attendance of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, as in the previous year. |
| January 12, 1962 | The beginning of the poetry reading (Karuizawa related poems) *His Imperial Highness Prince Fumihito (Prince Rei)’s poem Summer has gone, and I am heading for the mountain pass of Usui. *His Imperial Highness Prince Norihito (Prince Takamado)’s poem The creaking of the apto type wheels is nostalgic. |
| August 17, 1963 | Crown Prince and Princess Hirohito visit the Karuizawa Botanical Garden |
| September 24, 1963 | Mayor Masato Sato and Chairperson Tadashi Kanai record their sympathy at Prince Tomohito’s Palace, wishing the Emperor’s recovery. |
| January 7, 1964 | Emperor Hirohito of Showa passes away (6:33 a.m., aged 87 years and 8 months, mourning ceremony on February 24) Crown Prince Akihito, the 125th successor to the throne Enthroned *Accession ceremony on November 12, 2 |
Heisei era (1989.1.8- )
| February 1, 1 year | Public Relations Karuizawa: Photo feature page in memory of Emperor Showa issued |
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| June 29, 2 years | Ceremony of marriage with Her Imperial Highness Princess Noriko Kawashima, founding the Akishinonomiya family. |
| August 4, 2002 | Crown Prince (Prince Hiromiya and Prince Tokuhito) summering in Karuizawa (until the 13th, summering at the Sengataki Prince Hotel) |
| August 7, 2002 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a summer retreat (until the 12th; they will stay with the Crown Prince at the Sengataki Prince Hotel) *The Emperor and Empress play doubles tennis at the tennis courts in Karuizawa |
| August 17, 2002 | Prince and Princess Akishino summering in Karuizawa (until August 27, at Mampei Hotel) |
| August 18, 1990 | Prince and Princess Akishino visited the Karuizawa Botanical Gardens (three plants of Oba gibboushi were offered at their request) |
| January 26, 1991 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince visits Karuizawa for the opening ceremony of the National Athletic Meet |
| January 27 | Attended the opening ceremony of the Karuizawa National Athletic Meet |
| August 7, 1991 | Cancellation of the summer retreat of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress (Scheduled from the 7th to the 13th, in pain from the catastrophic lava flow from the explosion of Mt.) |
| August 8, 2004 | Crown Prince’s summer retreat in Karuizawa (until August 14 at Sengataki Prince Hotel) |
| April 29, 2005 | Commemorative tree-planting ceremony for the wedding of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince: planting of one Oyama cherry tree on the south side of the town hall |
| June 9, 5 years | Crown Prince (Prince Hiromiya and Prince Tokuhito) married Princess Masako Owada |
| October 19, 2006 | Mr. Taro Ogawa, Chairman of the Town Council (Vice Chairman of the Association of Chairmen of Prefectural Town and Village Councils) was invited to attend the Autumn Garden Party. |
| November 9, 2008 | Visit of Prince and Princess Akishino to Karuizawa Jikuen |
| April 9, 1997 | Request to His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince to go to Japan, Mayor Kunio Matsuba and Chairman Seiichi Ide on behalf of to the Imperial Household Agency, to be addressed to Prince Kiyoto Furukawa, Imperial Household Agency, bringing a request letter jointly signed by the heads of 32 organizations in the town. |
| April 22, 2010 | Invited to a tea ceremony hosted by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress *Rensui-no-ma, the Empress’ Palace* During the discussion, I talked directly with the Emperor about the curling competition. Mr. Yasunari Nakayama, Deputy Mayor, told me that the town people are waiting for his visit. His Majesty was also worried, but said “I am glad that the curling competition is becoming known to everyone”. When Their Majesties left the hall, Mayor Kunio Matsuba thanked them for inviting him. The Empress, who loves Karuizawa, asked him if the fist flowers in Rishan were white and beautiful again this year. |
| April 29, 2002 | Planting of a tree to commemorate the birth of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko of Japan * Planting of azalea trees in the garden of the new hospital |
| August 26, 2003 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress took a summer retreat in Karuizawa for the first time in 13 years under the guidance of Mr. Sato, Director of Karuizawa Botanical Garden and visited the exhibition of Shuntaro Tanikawa at Karuizawa Kogen Bunko *27th *27th visited the Minamigahara reclamation area in Komoro for the first time in 20 years and met with residents and visited the highland vegetable fields *28th early morning stroll in Old Karuizawa afternoon tennis game against a pair of former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata ＊Afternoon tennis match with Ms. Sadako Ogata, former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Evening visit to the 24th Kusatsu Summer International Music Academy & Festival in Kusatsu-cho (Overnight stay in Kusatsu-cho) |
| September 11, 2003 | Thanking Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress for their summer retreat and requesting a visit next year and beyond Mayor Masayoshi Sato and Chairman Masujiro Gyoda Thanking Chief of Staff Mitsuru Watanabe, Imperial Household Agency for his visit and requesting a visit next year and beyond |
| October 25, 2003 | The Crown Prince’s Palace bestowed 300 g (approx. 12,000 grains) of asama kisuge seeds to the Karuizawa Botanical Garden. |
| November 4, 2003 | The Karuizawa Botanical Garden offered “23 g (approx. 5,000 seeds) of Lengeshouma” to the Crown Prince’s Palace. |
| December 12, 2003 | Unveiling Ceremony of the monument (erected in front of Karuizawa Hospital) *The poem about the evening primrose composed in the spring of 2003 was written in the field in that town, and the evening primrose was in bloom with the color of the moon. |
| January 1, 2004 | The Emperor’s personal message (announced on January 1): “If Tsukushi people visit us, they will see Mount Asama with clouds over it. |
| March 25, 2004 | Crown Princess Masako takes a rest at her villa in Nagano Prefecture (Karuizawa Town) |
| September 28, 2004 | Visit of the Mayor to the Imperial Household Agency, thanking the Botanical Garden for the seeds of yusuge last fall and reporting on their subsequent growth. |
| January 12, 2005 | The Imperial Household Agency bestowed 230g (approx. 9,200 grains) of Asama kisuge seeds to the Karuizawa Botanical Garden. |
| April 2, 2005 | Asama kisuge seeds distributed to town residents, collected by Their Majesties and given to the town (distributed to 300 people) |
| May 22, 2005 | Celebrating the engagement of Her Imperial Highness Princess Norinomiya to Mr. Keiki Kuroda, a Tokyo Metropolitan Government employee Commemorative planting of Her Imperial Highness’ “Hitsujikusa” (30 plants at the edge of the pond in Yagasaki Park) |
| November 10, 2005 | Kinomiya Memorial Photo Exhibition (Former) Karuizawa Station House Memorial Hall, Ohga Hall |
| November 15, 2005 | Special Concert in Commemoration of the Wedding of Her Imperial Highness Princess Kiyoko Norinomiya, Violinist: Teiko Maebashi (Hosted by the town, Ooga Hall) |
| August 28, 2006 | Her Majesty the Empress Visits the 27th Kusatsu Summer International Academy & Festival |
| October 10, 2006 | Commemorative tree planting for the birth of Hisahito Akishino, the eldest son of Prince Akishino (commemorative planting of Koya-maki cedar in the construction of a welfare complex and other places) |
| April 26, 2007 | Former Mayor Kunio Matsuba (Chairman of the Prefectural Election Commission) invited to attend the Spring Garden Party |
| August 24, 2008 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited Karuizawa for a rest and relaxation *24th Arrival at Karuizawa Station by Nagano Shinkansen special train in the morning: Governor, Mayor, Chairman and others welcomed them at Karuizawa Station *26th Visit to Ohinata Settlement and Kaitakukai Memorial Museum: The vegetable field tour was cancelled due to bad weather *26th Tennis at Karuizawa Kai Court Tennis at Karuizawa Kai Court ＊27th Tennis at Kozu Ranch in the evening at Karuizawa Kai Court ＊28th Piano lesson for Empress in Kusatsu-cho with musicians from home and abroad The Empress refrains from the International Academy of Music in mourning for the death of Mr. Ito, the NGO involved in the Afghanistan abduction case |
| April 10, 2009 | Commemorative distribution of the 50th anniversary of the wedding of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress (first 500 people to arrive at the Botanical Garden) |
| August 24, 2009 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| August 24, 2010 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| August 23, 2011 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| August 23, 2012 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| August 24, 2013 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| August 22, 2007 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| August 20, 2008 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| August 22, 2009 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| August 22, 1955 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit Japan for a rest and relaxation |
| April 30, 31st year | Emperor Akihito (Akihito) abdicates and accedes to the throne of the Emperor |
concord
| May 1, 1st year | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Tokuhito, the 126th successor to the Imperial Throne, is enthroned and the year is changed to “2025. |
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