For many people, tennis is synonymous with white. The most famous is Wimbledon, one of the four major tournaments in the world, but there are a few courts in Japan that have a white dress code. One of these is the Karuizawa Association Tennis Court.
Located in the old Karuizawa area, about a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station, this court was built around 1897. As its name "Karuizawa Association Tennis Court" suggests, this court is a members-only facility that has been passed down by people committed to preserving Karuizawa's fine traditions and environment. It is a prestigious tennis court that is also known as a meeting place for the Emperor and Empress. The clay court, formed from layers of volcanic ash, is characterized by its excellent drainage and slipperiness. Despite being a clay court, the ball moves as quickly as grass, allowing for extremely speedy play. Incidentally, the clubhouse was designed by W. Vories, known for the Yamanoue Hotel.
The Karuizawa International Tennis Tournament, affectionately known as "Karuizawa To," is held once a year at the Karuizawa Association Tennis Court. Normally, only members can use the court, but this tournament is open to the public. This time, eight pairs participated in the S2O, both singles and doubles.
The white-based, understated, classic look is a perfect fit for the town of Karuizawa. During the tournament, people who appear to be players are seen walking around the town in their attire outside of the tennis courts, and their sporty attire blends in without standing out. The dress code is based on the formality of the court, but it also corresponds to the formality of the town, which is why it's important to wear clothes that fit in both on and off the court.
After the match, we changed from our sweaty clothing into white polo shirts and headed to the Mampei Hotel, which reopened last year after a full renovation. The building, which has the same reddish-brown and white color scheme as the Karuizawa Association Tennis Court clubhouse, has a cafe that is open to non-guests, where you can enjoy the traditional apple pie, which is said to have been a favorite of John Lennon. At this time of year, ice cream topping is a must. Having dressed in white, which makes you stand out a little, it's only natural that we should visit the authentic Karuizawa.
Text by Kohei Oshima
White Tenniswear in Karuizawa
For many, tennis evokes an immediate association with the color white. The most iconic example is, of course, Wimbledon—one of the four Grand Slam tournaments—where white attire remains an unshakable tradition. Even in Japan, though rare, there are courts that uphold a “white-only” dress code. Among the most renowned is the Karuizawa-kai Tennis Court.
Located about a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station in the historic Old Karuizawa district, the court was first established around 1897. True to its name, the “Karuizawa Kai Tennis Court” operates as a fully private members' club, preserved by those dedicated to maintaining the traditions and refined atmosphere of Karuizawa. It is also famous as the place where the former Emperor and Empress first met. The clay courts, formed from layers of volcanic ash, are distinguished by excellent drainage and smooth footing. Remarkably, though clay, the surface plays fast—more like grass—making for quick, dynamic rallies. The clubhouse itself was designed by William Vories, also known for Tokyo's historic “Hilltop Hotel.”
Once a year, this storied venue opens its gates to the public for the Karuizawa International Tennis Tournament, affectionately known as “Keito.” While members usually have exclusive access, the tournament welcomes outside participants. This year, S2O fielded teams in both singles and doubles competitions.
The understated, white-based classical attire worn by players perfectly matches the refined character of Karuizawa. During the tournament, the town is dotted with people in tennis whites, but their sporty appearance blends harmoniously with the surroundings rather than standing out. The dress code reflects not only the prestige of the court itself, but also the dignity of the town it belongs to—reminding us that tenniswear must be suitable both on and off the court.
After the matches, players typically change from their sweat-drenched whites into fresh polo shirts before heading to the Manpei Hotel, which reopened last year after a complete renovation. Like the clubhouse, the hotel is a striking red-brick and white structure, and its café is open even to non-guests. Here, one can enjoy the hotel's “traditional apple pie,” famously loved by John Lennon, best paired with a scoop of ice cream in summer. Wearing white seems to invite one naturally toward authentic Karuizawa experiences—the kind that gently straighten your posture and heighten your awareness of refinement.
By Kohei Oshima
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