Off-Mountain Library

Opened in 1976, the Rizan Library was built based on the wishes of the late Ichimura Imachozo, a political scientist from Karuizawa, and donations from his family who succeeded him. The brick library is set against a Karamatsu forest. Taking advantage of this environment, the library has been a place for learning and research in the Karuizawa summer resort area. With the construction of the Nakakaruizawa Library, general books and lending services have been moved there, and the Riyama Library has become a place for learning about Karuizawa studies (history, culture, and nature). The library has a full range of local materials, collects and stores materials created by administrative departments, and distributes donated materials for browsing.