By Yuta Matsumura and Daia Koyano

Do you know which sport was officially included in the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games held in Japan? The answer is curling — and the venue for that competition was Karuizawa.

Although curling was played at the 1924 Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, it became a permanent Olympic sport only after its return at Nagano 1998.

Karuizawa, located in Nagano Prefecture, is widely known as one of Japan’s most famous summer resorts. When temperatures rise in the cities, people escape to their villas here to enjoy quiet time, cycling, and shopping in the refreshing mountain air.

For those involved in curling, however, this town carries a very different meaning. It is a place deeply connected to winter sports. Following the Nagano Olympics, Karuizawa — alongside Tokoro in Hokkaido — became one of the central hubs of Japanese curling.

In 1999, carrying forward that Olympic legacy, the Karuizawa International was born. Here, I would like to introduce this tournament, held in the town where I was born and raised.

HOW TO WATCH: Live streaming of the Karuizawa International will be available on YouTube.

A TOURNAMENT WITH A QUARTER-CENTURY OF HISTORY

For more than a quarter century, Karuizawa International has been one of Japan’s premier international curling events. Each year, top teams from Japan and around the world gather here, making it one of the country’s leading international competitions.

It offers a rare opportunity: the chance to witness world-class curling firsthand without leaving Japan.

The value of the Karuizawa International lies not only in its international status. For many players and fans in Japan, it is one of the few chances to see the world’s best athletes compete in person rather than through a screen.

Greats such as Niklas Edin, David Murdoch, Brad Gushue, Jennifer Jones, and Anna Hasselborg have all stood on the ice in Karuizawa. Their shot-making precision, game management, and the way they carry themselves on the ice represent the global standard of excellence in our sport.

For me personally, this tournament was something special. As a child, competing at Karuizawa International was one of my goals. It was here that I first became aware of a wider world beyond Japan. Standing on that ice, I realized there was a higher level beyond where I was, and in that moment, I could truly feel the distance between myself and that standard. Without question, the Karuizawa International played a defining role in shaping my mindset as a competitor.

From its earliest days, the Karuizawa International welcomed overseas teams and served as a bridge between Japan and the global curling community. Today, international participation in Japanese events is no longer unusual. However, recognizing that value more than a quarter century ago and sustaining it ever since was by no means inevitable. That steady commitment has undoubtedly broadened the horizons of Japanese curling and contributed significantly to raising the competitive level of the sport domestically.

MORE THAN WHAT HAPPENS ON THE ICE

What sets the Karuizawa International apart is not only the play on the ice.

For many Japanese players, the thrill of sharing the ice with athletes they had previously only watched on television is a powerful experience. That same sense of excitement is shared by fans as well. The atmosphere can feel similar to welcoming artists or performers.

One distinctive aspect of Japanese curling culture is that fans often focus not only on receiving something, such as an autograph, but on giving something. They draw portraits, create handmade goods, and prepare thoughtful gifts. Through these gestures, warm and natural interactions develop between athletes and fans.

This sense of connection and hospitality is one reason the Karuizawa International has been loved for so long. It creates a unique environment that can only be experienced here.

The Karuizawa International is a place where Japan meets the world. For athletes, it is a stage to aspire to. For fans, it is an opportunity to experience the global standard of curling up close.

The experiences and connections formed here inspire the next generation and carry Japanese curling toward the future. Karuizawa International remains an essential part of both the present and future of the sport in Japan.

CARRYING THE LEGACY FORWARD AND EMBRACING INNOVATION

The tournament’s journey has been sustained and shaped by the dedication of those involved in its organization. That commitment is reflected in the words of Tournament Producer, Kyosuke Yamada:

"As those now responsible for organizing this event, we would first like to express our sincere respect to the pioneers who helped spread curling in Japan.

"Our goal is to create a tournament that everyone — players, fans, and staff — can enjoy, while also helping to nurture the next generation of athletes. This year marks the 27th edition of the event.

"International teams often speak highly of Japan’s unique spirit of hospitality. While carrying forward the Olympic legacy, we have continued to take on new challenges. For example, we introduced an on-ice viewing area where spectators can watch from right beside the players, and we created a system that returns a portion of ticket revenue to the prize purse.

"Through this tournament, we hope to create an environment unlike any other, where players and fans alike can discover the appeal of curling. We aim to grow into one of Asia’s leading events."

These continued efforts and shared commitment have shaped the tournament into what it is today. Its journey will continue to create new value in the years ahead.

THE UPCOMING KARUIZAWA INTERNATIONAL

The upcoming Karuizawa International will take place from Friday to Sunday.

Eight men’s and eight women’s teams from Japan and abroad will compete. The preliminary round will be played in two pools, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The final is scheduled for Friday at 13:30 JST.

In the men’s field, Norway’s Team Ramsfjell and Korea’s Team Jeong will compete. In the women’s event, Sweden’s Team Hasselborg and Canada’s Team Gray-Withers headline the field.

The presence of teams such as Ramsfjell and Hasselborg, who competed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, once again demonstrates that this tournament serves as a bridge between Japan and the global stage.

World-class teams will gather on the ice in Karuizawa, and once again, we will witness competition at the highest standard. I look forward to experiencing those moments firsthand.

MEN'S DIVISION WOMEN'S DIVISION
Pool A Pool A
Jeong (KOR) Kitazawa (JPN)
Maeda (JPN) Tabata (JPN)
Noguchi (JPN) Ueno (JPN)
Ramsfjell (NOR) Watanabe (JPN)
Pool B Pool B
Abe (JPN) Gray-Withers (CAN)
Ogiwara (JPN) Hasselborg (SWE)
Wakabayashi (JPN) Sasaki (JPN)
Yamaguchi (JPN) Tsuchiya (JPN)

(Editor's Note: Next season's Karuizawa International will take place in September, with the winners receiving direct entry into the GSOC Invitational in Victoria. Click here for more details.)