Nozawa Onsen Japan

Nozawa Onsen ski resort is located to the north of Nagano Prefecture, at the base of Mt Kenashi. 

With a history dating back 1000 years, parts of this age old town are complete with narrow cobblestone streets dotted with numerous public Onsens (natural hot springs). Nozawa Onsen ski resort has developed over the last 80 years into one of the most expansive in the country. It was the first ski resort in Japan to install ski lifts.

Catering well for all levels of skiers and boarders, Nozawa has an excellent variety of terrain. On a clear day the views from the peak are some of the best in Japan with the Sea of Japan in the distance; it is this close proximity to the ocean that delivers the precipitation needed when the storms cross the sea to the mountains of Japan.

The ski resort adjoins the town giving visitors easy access to the many Onsen, restaurants, bars and cultural sights that Nozawa is famous for.
A spectacular fire festival (Dosojin Matsuri) is held each year in early January.
The many festivals held annually in the resort give visitors and insight into Japanese history.

The village has a population of 5000, with a great mix of ancient and contemporary Japanese culture.

Onsen	Nozawa markets	Fresh food

Accommodation
You can experience the real essence of Japanese culture and hospitality staying in Nozawa Onsen village. Nozawa Onsen accommodation offers a range of accommodation options including Hotels, traditional Ryokans (Japanese inns) and Minshuku (Pensiones).

Onsen
In the centre of the village at Nozawa you can see steam rising everywhere through the streets. There are more than 30 sources of natural hot spring in Nozawa under 13 cooperative spas named "Sotoyu" these spas are managed by the village and have been protected since ancient times by a system called "Yu-nakam" meaning spas group. Most of these Onsen are free to enter.

Dining
There are some 43 restaurants within the Nozawa villlage area. Local delicacies include Onsen-manju (steamed plum) and wild vedgetables such as Negamari-dake (bamboo shoots) assortments of Kinoko (mushrooms) and Nozawana-zuke (pickled green vedgtables).

Weather
If you want the best snow in the world you need to be prepared - it can get cold. Take plenty of warm clothing and prepare for minus temperatures, thermals are a must, a warm neck gaitor to protect your face and agood pair of double lense goggles. Nozawa can get a lot of snow - its not unusual to get over 20cm overnight in the resort. That said there's nothing like fresh powder on a crisp, clear day.