Educational Initiatives at Karuizawa Commongrounds, a Community Hub for Creating the Future
We are working with the EtonHouse International School Karuizawa, an international school located within the facility, to cultivate diverse talent who will lead the future. (Updated May 30, 2025)
Respecting children's independence and providing rich experiences that stimulate the five senses
Karuizawa Commongrounds is a cultural and creative complex nestled in the rich natural surroundings of Karuizawa. This place we are working on is not just a commercial facility, but we aim to create a community hub where local residents, visitors, and various businesses can work together to create the future.
Karuizawa Commongrounds, which operates on the concept of working, learning, playing, trading, and living, sees learning as a particularly important element and is working with the on-site international school, EtonHouse International School Karuizawa (hereinafter referred to as EtonHouse), to nurture a diverse range of talent who will lead the future.
Eton House is the Karuizawa branch of an international school with over 120 branches worldwide. We incorporate the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational method originating in Italy, and while respecting children's autonomy, we foster their creativity and spirit of inquiry through rich experiences that stimulate the five senses. We share this educational philosophy and are deepening our collaboration through various projects.
Food education that connects to community building through food
One of the unique initiatives that can only be found at this location is the food education program, which is an important program that not only teaches children the importance of food, but also allows them to feel connected to the community. In cooperation with the local farm, Toyama Farm, children will experience a series of farm tasks in the fields, such as touching the soil, sowing seeds, watering, and harvesting vegetables. The school grows a variety of vegetables according to the season, such as corn, edamame, and potatoes, and invites a chef from the restaurant at Karuizawa Commongrounds to the school to cook the harvested vegetables together. The vegetables are then served as side dishes at the Marche, which is held regularly at Karuizawa Commongrounds, and are also used on the deli menu. By having local people taste the vegetables that the children have lovingly grown, we are also helping to build community through food.
They also learn about food circulation through practical agricultural experiences, such as changing the combination of crops they plant each year to avoid problems caused by continuous cropping, and trying their hand at making compost. This broadens their perspective on a sustainable society.
As a community hub, we raise local children together as a community
Music events in collaboration with the New Japan Philharmonic offer the opportunity to listen to professional performances up close. Children will be able to hone their sensibilities by being exposed to first-class music, and the venue is also a place where local residents can casually enjoy classical music. Additionally, at Karuizawa Commongrounds, in partnership with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Company, Incorporated which is working together with the company on renewable energy sharing, a "Renewable Energy Classroom" will be held where people can learn about the importance of energy and renewable energy. In addition to classroom learning, the children also have the opportunity to tour the facility's solar power generation equipment, raising their awareness of environmental issues while having fun.
In addition, in programming classes held in collaboration with IT company Asteria, children can learn the basics of programming in a game-like manner using no-code tools. In this way, by collaborating with various companies and organizations, we are able to provide a wide range of learning opportunities for local children.
These events are open to children from local public and municipal elementary schools, expanding the experiences children have in the community. As we consider regional revitalization centered around "Karuizawa Commongrounds," education is a very important element.
We will work together with businesses to think about education and expand our efforts. In order to raise the children of the local community together, Karuizawa Commongrounds will always remain a place open to the local community and will continue to strive to become a hub for the local community.