Karuizawa Highland Church

Located in the rich nature of Karuizawa, this church features a triangular building with the warmth of wood.
Every weekend, a powerful gospel chorus performed by Kwaiya is presented at the worship service.

Together with the adjacent Hoshino Resort Karuizawa area, the church holds Christmas and other events.
The “Christmas Candle Night” is held to light candles and create a romantic atmosphere on the holy night.

Karuizawa, one of Japan’s leading resort areas, is also a town where Christianity is alive and well, with a great number of churches.

The Karuizawa Highland Church has its origins in 1921, when the “Art Liberal Education Seminar” was held in a lumber shed on the grounds of Hoshino Onsen.

Writer and Christian thinker Kanzo Uchimura, poet Hakushu Kitahara, novelist Toson Shimazaki, and others participated in the free art education workshop, and Kanzo Uchimura wrote
Playing is also good, and learning is also playing.
Under this philosophy, Uchimura named the lumber shed “Hoshino Yugakudo” (Hoshino School for the Performing Arts).

The name “Hoshino Yugakudo” is still displayed at the entrance.
In 1941, the name was changed to “Karuizawa Kogen Church.
The first pastor was Iwasaburo Okino, who was also known as a novelist.

The church was reconstructed around 1965, and has been used by Hoshino Onsen (now Hoshino Resort) for its bridal business, where many weddings and other events are held.