Why you've got to go Nozawa Onsen!
- Ski a Traditional Japanese Ski Resort with runs likely all to yourself!
- The average snow depth for the Nozawa area over is over 2.5 metres
- The average snowfall for the season is over 14 metres
- You won't be able to ski all of Nozawa's terrain in a week of skiing!
Nozawa Onsen Resort Information
Nozawa Onsen is a quaint mountain village north of Nagano City with an onsen (hot springs) that, according to legend, dates back to the 8th Century. The village center is a collection of ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), minshuku (slightly more rustic inns) and souvenir shops situated at the base of the Nozawa ski resort.
Located in the northern part of the Nagano Prefecture, Nozawa Onsen village's landscape is characterized by its broad range of altitudes, from 300 meters above sea level at Akashi, in the northern part of the village, to 1,650 meters above sea level at Mt. Kenashiyama. On top of this, more than 50 percent of the village area is covered by forests and the area is part of the larger Kogen National Park.
Nozawa Onsen is also the host of the Dosijin Fire Festival which is held every year on January 15th. The festival revolves around a large wooden shrine with 42 year olds sitting on the top while the 25 year olds (both considered unlucky ages in Japan) below attempt to engage in "battle" and light the shrine on fire. Fireworks, sake, and of course lots of fire also feature heavily. It can't be missed if you're in the area at the time.
The mineral water from the hot springs in Nozawa is unrivaled, with over 30 natural springs supplying the ryokans as well as 13 public baths. Of these, Oyu, with it's traditional wooden architecture, represents the best of Nozawa's Onsen's culture. Nozawa Onsen is also known for the Ogama spring where locals go to cook vegetables in the hot onsen water.
The ski area is one of the largest in the country with over 50 kms of trails suited to everyone from beginners to more advanced skiers and snowboarders. The top of the mountain has stunning panoramic views of the surrounding national parks and Japanese Alps.