Nozawa Onsen

Nozawa Onsen, located in the northern part of Nagano prefecture, is a hot spring and ski resort village of some 4,000 inhabitants. Being inhabited for some 1,200 years the many hot springs have been soothing generations of natives and travelers alike for centuries, while the ski area is one of the largest and most popular in Japan. Nozawa Onsen Village was one of the first locations to have ski lifts built in Japan in the early 1920s.

In the center of Nozawa Onsen you can see white steam rising up from the hot spring waters, running almost everywhere, enabling you to feel the warmth of this village of hot springs.

The 13 co-operative spas are assets shared by the villagers, and have been protected since ancient times by a system known as "yu-nakama", local spa groups.

There are more than 30 sources of natural hot springs in Nozawa Onsen and 13 free public bath called "Soto-yu". Residents use and are responsible for the Soto-yu that is in their area, and their union dues help support it. It's a special privilidge that allows visitors to the area to use these baths.

You will feel that special quality as you soak your muscles in these mineral-laced piping-hot waters. It's the unique quality of the subterranean water and the minerals that are born up with it, from deep in the Earth, that the Japanese believe is good for the body's health.

Should you visit Nozawa Onsen mid January you could also experience the Dosojin festival, where an ancient fire battle is played out each year as part initiation of the villages young men and prayers to their mountain gods for healthy children in the coming year.

Nozawa Onsen Village is one of, if not the only, village in Japan to truly retain it's believe system in regard to their local deities. Japanese culture, being essentially nature worshipping, has an abundance of icons and memorials to these beliefs but in Nozawa Onsen you will find the emotion alive and well. Not just statues and slogans here.

Nozawa Onsen boasts many fine ski runs and easy access with a good number of lifts. Staying in this lovely town is the perfect base camp for your skiing holiday in Japan as many other fine ski resorts are also accessible from Nozawa by local transfers. And you're only a hop and a ski away from major centers like Tokyo and Osaka should you wish to include the bright lights with your mountain getaway.
Let Nozawa Onsen charm you this winter!

Nozawa Onsen

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