Learning from Curious George: The ideal dual-base lifestyle and second home - Why is a villa in Karuizawa ideal for the "George lifestyle"?
- osaka
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
I used to read Curious George casually when I was a child, and now that the anime version has started airing on NHK, I've been enjoying watching it with my kids recently.
George is a curious boy who lives with the man in the yellow hat.
Did you know that this story is actually a model for an ideal dual residence?
Living in Karuizawa, Shinshu, where time flows at a leisurely pace, unlike in the city. An ideal way to live, where you can face your precious family and yourself.
Ideal dual-location living/second home model
The original picture book Curious George (1941) also consistently depicts
Living in an urban apartment
And a country house with forests and lakes
In other words, George has been living a life of commuting between the city and nature since 1941.
And there is a place in Japan where this structure can be reproduced most beautifully.
That is Karuizawa Town.
1 | The distance is just right. It's perfect.
When living in two locations, distance is everything.
If it's too close, it becomes "suburban";
If it's too far away, it becomes a "trip."
It is about 150km from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa.
It takes about an hour by Shinkansen.
This distance feels similar to traveling from New York to Hudson Valley.
Go out on Friday night,
Breathing the forest air,
Return to the city centre on Sunday evening.
It's not "If you try hard, you can do it,"
A distance that allows you to go "naturally."
This figure of around 150km is
It is a "critical point" that neatly separates the ordinary from the extraordinary.
You can easily take the Shinkansen (1 hour) or take a leisurely drive (2 hours).
2｜The quality of the forest is different. The air is different.
The moment I arrived in Karuizawa,
For some reason, I feel like taking a deep breath.
It's not just a feeling.
Altitude: approx. 1,000m
volcanic landform
Cool highland climate
A unique atmosphere created by fog and humidity
In summer, the temperature is about 5 degrees Celsius lower than in Tokyo.
It's really cold in winter.
Because of this clear difference,
The body is reset.
The world where George plays by the lake and runs through the forest.
Karuizawa has its own scale and density.
3｜It's not just nature. There's culture too.
Actually, this is the most important part.
Karuizawa is more than just a natural resort.
History of Missionary Culture
A land beloved by great writers and artists
Accumulation of music, literature, and architecture
"A place where intelligence and nature coexist."
George's city life
A world of intellectual curiosity that leads to visiting museums and science centers.
And the villa is not just a playground;
It is a space where you can think deeply .
The same goes for Karuizawa.
While being in nature,
A place that suits contemplation.
This is what sets us apart from other resorts.
Ohga Hall / Hiroshi Senju Museum of Art / Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Chapel / Former Mikasa Hotel
4｜The peace of mind of knowing there is order in the forest
It's not a complete mystery.
But it's not a city.
In Karuizawa,
Mature villa management
Medical and commercial infrastructure
Shinkansen Access
In other words,
Urban security built into the forest
George-style living is
It's not wild survival.
Because we have a secure foundation,
You can go on an adventure.
Karuizawa meets those criteria.
Photo: FunBase Co., Ltd., offering a variety of services including Karuizawa villa management and on-site chef services
5｜A place in the “gap”
Don't reject the city.
It's not like I'm escaping into nature.
Karuizawa is not in conflict with Tokyo.
Complementing the city
Organize your daily routine
Clear your mind
This positioning is very beautiful.
The gap between the city and the forest.
George's life is also
It's somewhere in between.
"Doma Salon" is a space between people and nature. "Awai" means the space between two things, a margin, a playful space. It also refers to the relationship between two things.
6｜Summary of why Karuizawa is perfect for the “George type”
The critical distance is approximately 150 km
The quality of plateau forests and their ability to reset the body
Accumulation of cultural capital
Urban Order in the Forest
A complementary relationship with Tokyo, without conflict
It's not just a vacation home,
A place to alternate between urban intelligence and forest tranquility
That's Karuizawa.
lastly,
Look at George and the man in the yellow hat,
Have you ever felt envious of that lifestyle?
Inspired by the city,
Spending innocent time in the forest.
In fact, that life is
It's not a pipe dream.
The option of Karuizawa is
This is the place that brings that story closer to reality.
I also like being in the city.
But I also like being in the forest.
A life that has both.
That is,
This may be the essence of the "George type life."
Our company goes beyond simply building a house to deliver the value of the things and moments that are important to families through activities like wood selection tours and earthen floor salons. Imagine the new things and moments that moving to a new home will open up for your family in our model home.
While we are architectural professionals such as designers and construction managers, all of our employees act as "Shinshu concierges" to support a rich life in Shinshu.
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