The Artistry and Spirit of the Craftsman.
Just as castles across Japan once had their
Oniwagake (garden stewards) and Sakuji-yaku (construction magistrates),
we serve today as the local stewards of Karuizawa.
We are a one-of-a-kind group of specialists dedicated to cultivating
landscapes that connect to the future
while mitigating every risk.
Our Story
I departed my native Karuizawa for the capital, immersing myself in urban development and regional revitalization. There, I gained rare expertise in rebuilding communities and industries across Japan.
I returned upon a family member's urging: "Do not pour your soul into distant lands; dedicate yourself to restoring your own home."
But upon my return, I witnessed Karuizawa's faded glory—once brilliant, now losing its light.
I realized then that my unique journey was not a coincidence. It was a destiny designed for this very moment—to rebuild this town. With this resolve, my second chapter began.
The Three Creations Preserving Karuizawa
Creating the Future of Karuizawa
Butterfly effect
1
Having successfully revitalized the local tourism sector, I realized that true sustainability relies on Karuizawa's greatest treasure: its nature. Thus, I embarked on a new mission—the reconstruction of our environment.At Karuizawa Oniwagake, we preserve our fading natural heritage through the art of "Landscape Cultivation." Our goal is to achieve a harmony where nature conservation and tourism flourish together.We believe that as these efforts ripple outward, inspiring others, we will weave together the fabric of Karuizawa’s future.
Collective Creation
Creative group activities
2
A collective of diverse specialists with an intimate knowledge of Karuizawa.
Through the synergy of multifaceted knowledge and exceptional skills, we meet the sophisticated demands of our exclusive clientele.
Inevitably, we must become an unparalleled, one-of-a-kind entity; otherwise, we cannot truly satisfy our most discerning customers.
Third Eye Innovation and Creation
Third eye innovations
3
Revolutionizing the industry's outdated practices to prioritize true customer-centricity.
A fusion of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology that respects Karuizawa's environment.
Harmonizing natural beauty with architectural aesthetics by leveraging the unique setting of Karuizawa.
Through unique ideas and ingenuity, we efficiently control costs to maximize results and surpass all limits.
Two Brands Enhancing Asset Value
Third Eye Innovation and Creation
軽井沢御庭掛／輕井澤工務店は絶滅危惧種と言われる
優秀な親方衆に支えて頂いております。
足を向けて寝られない。尊い存在です。
優れた職人と一般的な職人とは何が違うのか。
技術、熟練度を何のため、誰のために使うのか、
優れた職人ほど喜ぶ顧客をイメージし
やり切る覚悟が尋常ではないと体感しています。
過去の経験では、職人との出会いで
たくさん失敗をし、たくさん悔しい想いをしてきました。
ざっくりとした流れ作業しかできない。
こんなもんでいいか。の基準が低すぎる。
クリエイターになれない職人はただの作業員で職人ではない。
どうしてお客様の事を考えないのか。
私には理解出来ませんでした。
優秀な職人に出会える確率は100人中1人もいないかも知れません。
各専門職のオールスターを集める途方もない旅に出た感覚です。
ただ、どうしてもそれを叶えないと行けない理由がありました。
・軽井沢の未来を守る環境保全と景観育成の実現
・難易度が非常に高い特別なお客様の要望
・失われつつある伝統技術
・建設業界の危機的な人材不足
・手抜工事を良好な状態に戻す極限の難易度
最高の仕事を最高のお客様に届け、その職人の素晴らしさ、
仕事の美しさ、良い仕事は人に感動を与える事ができる。
それを未来を担う新たな人財に伝承し、
軽井沢の未来を創造していきます。
Two Brands Enhancing Asset Value
Karuizawa Oniwagakari
Services Focused on Building Exteriors
Garden Care, Construction, Landscaping, Hardscaping, Civil Engineering, Planting, Arboriculture, Horticulture, Exterior Painting, Logging, Gutter Maintenance
Security, Exterior Works, 3D Landscape Creation, Traditional Garden Design, Garden Styling
Landscape Design, Villa Management
Karuizawa Komuten
Services Focused on Building Interiors
Interior Carpentry, Interior Finishing, Interior Painting, Wallpaper, Flooring, Joinery, Renovation, Utilities (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Gas), Air Conditioning, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Toilets, Vanities
Interior Design, Plumbing Systems, Dehumidifiers, Professional Cleaning, Villa Management
KARUIZAWA
Karuizawa refers to Karuizawa Town, located in Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture.
It is situated in the Tōshin (eastern) region of Nagano Prefecture and is distinct from Kita-Karuizawa, Higashi-Karuizawa, and Minami-Karuizawa in Gunma Prefecture, as well as Nishi-Karuizawa in Miyota Town, Nagano Prefecture.
Simply put, the town was born in the Showa era through the merger of three Edo-period post towns: Karuizawa-shuku (Kyu-Karuizawa), Kutsukake-shuku (Naka-Karuizawa), and Oiwake-shuku (Shinano-Oiwake).
【Features】
• Elevation: A highland region situated at an altitude of 900m to 1,200m.
• Climate: Temperatures range from a high of approx. 32°C to a low of approx. -10°C throughout the year, characterized by significant temperature variations between seasons and between day and night.
• Nature: The beautiful forests seen today consist mostly of artificially planted conifers, as the land was originally sparse in vegetation due to the historical eruptions of Mount Asama.
【History and Development】
• Edo Period: Flourished as a post town on the Nakasendo trail connecting Edo and Kyoto, forming part of the Komoro Domain.
• Meiji Period Onwards: Sparked by the activities of foreign missionaries, a culture of summer retreats and luxury villas was born, leading to continuous development that persists to this day.
• Present Day: Now renowned as Japan's premier summer resort and villa area, the number of villas reached 16,405 units as of January 2024.
Concerns Regarding Environmental Issues in Karuizawa
In Karuizawa, where development has continued since the Meiji era and concerns over deforestation are rising, we harbor a sense of crisis regarding the current extreme approach to conservation that views "cutting trees as evil."
Specific Issues of Concern
1. Increase in Dangerous Trees and Damage: In Karuizawa, where nature and humans coexist, there are numerous hazardous trees and branches that threaten daily life.
2. Frequent Fallen Trees and Power Outages: The majority of frequent blackouts in Karuizawa are caused by fallen trees or falling branches, posing potential risks of damage to residents, passersby, vehicles, and buildings.
3. The Mismatch of Conifers: The planted conifers that make up the majority of the forest are characterized by shallow roots and brittle branches. They have now grown to the 30-meter class and are ill-suited to Karuizawa's environment, such as its loose wetland soil and frost heaving, leading to an increase in fallen trees and branches. We judge that this historical planting strategy was a mistake for the future environment.
Our Philosophy on Environmental Conservation
As a major premise, we agree with the majority opinion that unnecessary development, including large-scale public projects, is not needed in Karuizawa.
We believe that environmental conservation in Karuizawa is not simply about "not cutting trees," but about "preventing accidents and ensuring safety beforehand," "maintaining a good condition," and "regenerating the land to connect to a nature-rich future."
Furthermore, as a branded region, we believe and act on the conviction that pursuing the cultivation of beautiful landscapes simultaneously with environmental conservation leads to town planning that creates a sustainable future.