In what year did Karuizawa begin to gain international popularity?

This question needs to be looked at from two perspectives: Karuizawa as a tourist resort, and Karuizawa as a legendary whisky. The times when they gained international popularity are actually quite different.

First, let's talk about Karuizawa as a tourist resort:

This is a long story. Karuizawa actually had an "international flair" quite early on. As far back as 1886, a Canadian missionary named Alexander Croft Shaw discovered the area, found its summers heavenly cool, and built a villa there. Subsequently, many Western diplomats, businessmen, and intellectuals followed suit, coming here to escape the summer heat. Thus, Karuizawa was a rather Westernized resort from its very beginning.

However, its true entry into the global spotlight can be attributed to two major international events:

1. 1964 Tokyo Olympics: That year, Tokyo hosted the Olympic Games, and the equestrian events were held in Karuizawa. Media and attention from around the world converged on the area, marking its first large-scale appearance on the international stage.
2. 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics: The curling events for these Winter Olympics were also held in Karuizawa. This successful international sporting event once again brought the name "Karuizawa" to the attention of a new generation of foreigners.

So, as a resort, its popularity didn't surge in a single year; rather, it was a gradual process of accumulating fame. However, 1964 can be considered a pivotal starting point, transitioning it from being known primarily within "expatriate circles in Japan" to gaining "global recognition."

Next, let's talk about the more dramatic story of Karuizawa Whisky:

This story is quite remarkable, almost like achieving legendary status after its demise.

The Karuizawa whisky distillery actually ceased production in 2000 and later closed down completely. While it was still "alive," it was primarily sold only within Japan, with very few people internationally knowing about it.

The real turning point occurred after 2010.

At that time, a British spirits merchant (Number One Drinks) discovered that the closed distillery still held a stock of exceptionally high-quality original spirits. They decisively purchased all of it in 2011.

They began bottling these precious liquids, labeling them "Karuizawa," and introducing them to the international market. Due to the whisky's truly top-tier quality, coupled with the legendary aura of a "closed, discontinued distillery" (Lost Distillery), it immediately ignited a fervent pursuit among global whisky collectors and enthusiasts.

Since then, Karuizawa whisky has won numerous awards in various international competitions, and its auction prices have repeatedly set new records. News of a single bottle selling for millions is not uncommon.

So, if you're asking about Karuizawa Whisky, its rise to international fame began around 2010 and truly exploded after its acquisition in 2011. This was much later than its recognition as a tourist destination, but its momentum has been far more intense.