Nozawaonsen Village is a beautiful mountain community in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, renowned for its hot springs and traditional Japanese village culture. At the heart of the village is the abundant hot spring water of Nozawa Onsen, which has attracted visitors from Japan and around the world for generations.
Surrounded by mountains and forests, the village offers a remarkable combination of hot springs, winter sports, traditional festivals, local culture, and beautiful seasonal landscapes. It is a place where visitors can experience both the natural beauty of the Japanese Alps and the everyday traditions of a historic hot spring community.
Nozawaonsen Village borders Kijimadaira Village to the south along the ridgeline of Mt. Kenashi. To the west, the Chikuma River separates it from Iiyama City, while Sakae Village lies to the north and east beyond the ridges of Mt. Takakura and the eastern slopes of Mt. Kenashi.
The village has a considerable difference in elevation. The northern Akashi district lies at around 300 meters above sea level, while Mt. Kenashi rises to approximately 1,650 meters in the south. This varied terrain creates a landscape of forests, valleys, mountain slopes, and settlements.
About half of the village is covered by forest, and parts of the area are included within Joshin’etsukogen National Park. The natural environment changes dramatically with the seasons, offering fresh greenery in spring and summer, brilliant autumn foliage, and deep snow in winter.
The main mountain is Mt. Kenashi, while the Chikuma River, Yuzawa River, and Ikesawa River are among the important waterways flowing through the area.
Nozawaonsen has a continental climate with significant differences in temperature between seasons and between daytime and nighttime. Winter brings exceptionally heavy snowfall, and the village is designated as a Special Heavy Snowfall Area in Japan.
This abundant snow is one of the foundations of Nozawaonsen’s winter tourism. The excellent snow conditions attract skiers and snowboarders from Japan and overseas, while the combination of skiing and hot springs makes the village particularly appealing as a winter destination.
In addition to the municipal government, Nozawaonsen has a distinctive community organization known as the Nozawa-gumi, whose roots extend back to the Edo period. The organization has traditionally played an important role in managing aspects of community life.
Funded through membership fees paid by residents, the Nozawa-gumi has responsibilities that include hot spring management, snow removal, maintenance of waterways, and organizing the village’s traditional Dosojin Festival.
The organization is led by a representative known as the Sōdai, who serves for one year without pay. This long-standing system reflects the strong sense of community and shared responsibility that continues to characterize life in Nozawaonsen.
Tourism is the village’s main industry, with skiing and hot springs at its center. However, a decline in skiing during the 1990s and 2000s led to a decrease in visitors, and a number of traditional inns and guesthouses were forced to close.
Since the 2010s, Nozawaonsen has experienced renewed international attention, particularly from visitors from Australia and other overseas markets. Some previously closed accommodation facilities have been taken over and reopened, while new restaurants, shops, and services have also been established by international business owners.
International residents and business owners now form a notable part of the village’s tourism community. Exchanges between newcomers and local residents have developed with support from the village, and some international residents have also joined or cooperated with the traditional Nozawa-gumi community organization.
Nozawa Onsen is the symbol of the village. Known for its abundant hot spring water and distinctive bathing culture, the hot spring town is particularly famous for sotoyu meguri, the tradition of visiting the village’s communal bathhouses.
Several communal bathhouses are scattered throughout the village, and visitors can experience these traditional local baths free of charge. Each bathhouse has its own character, making a walk through the village and a series of hot spring baths one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Nozawaonsen.
Nozawaonsen Snow Resort is famous for its high-quality powder snow and wide variety of ski terrain. It attracts skiers and snowboarders from across Japan and around the world.
The ability to combine a full day on the slopes with an evening soaking in the village’s hot springs is one of Nozawaonsen’s defining attractions, creating a distinctive winter resort experience that blends outdoor adventure with traditional Japanese culture.
The Japan Ski Museum explores the history and culture of skiing in Japan. Its collection includes historic ski equipment and valuable visual materials, making it an interesting destination for anyone curious about the development of skiing in the country.
Oborozukiyo no Yakata and Fuyama Bunko commemorates the achievements of Tatsuyuki Takano, the lyricist of the famous Japanese children’s song Oborozukiyo. The facility offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about the cultural heritage of the region and the life and work of one of Japan’s well-known lyricists.
Sutaka Lake is a quiet lake surrounded by rich natural scenery. Its peaceful setting makes it ideal for leisurely walks and birdwatching, while the surrounding landscape offers a different atmosphere in every season.
Yakuo-zan Kenmeiji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple that has long served as an important spiritual center for the local community. Its quiet grounds and dignified atmosphere provide a peaceful contrast to the lively hot spring town.
Yuzawa Shrine is revered locally as a guardian shrine of Nozawaonsen. Seasonal religious ceremonies and festivals are held here, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience the traditional spiritual culture of the village.
The Dosojin Festival, held every year on January 15, is the largest traditional festival in Nozawaonsen. It has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Young men carry torches and gather around a large wooden shrine structure as flames illuminate the snowy winter night. The dramatic combination of fire, snow, traditional customs, and the energy of the local community makes this one of the most memorable cultural experiences in the village.
In autumn, the Yuzawa Shrine Lantern Festival fills the village with the gentle glow of lanterns. The warm lights create an atmospheric scene and provide a beautiful opportunity to experience the village’s traditional culture in a quieter setting.
Michi-no-Eki Nozawa Onsen is a convenient roadside station where visitors can discover fresh local vegetables, regional specialties, and other products from the area. It is popular with both residents and travelers and makes a useful stop when exploring the surrounding region.
Nozawaonsen Village is much more than a ski resort or hot spring destination. Its appeal lies in the way its natural environment, traditional bathing culture, local community, festivals, and modern international tourism coexist within a compact mountain village.
Visitors can spend the morning exploring the communal bathhouses, hike through the surrounding mountains, learn about the history of skiing in Japan, and return in the evening to enjoy the warmth of an onsen and the atmosphere of the village.
In winter, deep snow creates a world-class setting for skiing and snowboarding. In the warmer months, the mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers reveal a quieter side of Nozawaonsen. Throughout the year, the village offers travelers a chance to experience the living traditions, natural beauty, and welcoming community of a historic Japanese hot spring village.