{"id":10272,"date":"2015-10-02T12:11:39","date_gmt":"2015-10-02T11:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.insidejapantours.com\/?p=10272"},"modified":"2020-01-28T15:16:19","modified_gmt":"2020-01-28T15:16:19","slug":"why-nozawa-onsen-is-our-favourite-ski-resort-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/02\/why-nozawa-onsen-is-our-favourite-ski-resort-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Nozawa Onsen is our favourite ski resort of all time"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>If you\u2019re an avid snowsports fan, the first Japanese resort that springs to mind will probably be Niseko, which is widely (and deservedly, we might add) considered to be Japan\u2019s biggest and best. You might also have heard of Hakuba \u2013 slightly smaller and less well-known, but more convenient for those who want to combine snowsports with a longer cultural trips. You almost certainly haven\u2019t heard of Nozawa Onsen, but it\u2019s actually our favourite ski resort in Japan.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n<h2>It offers a better cultural experience than any other resort<\/h2>\n<p>Nothing can beat Niseko for sheer scale, variety of runs, powder conditions and apr\u00e8s-ski nightlife. If you\u2019re coming to Japan to ski, and just to ski, there\u2019s nowhere better.<\/p>\n<p>Most ski resorts are (let\u2019s face it) a bit of a cultural wasteland, but the ubiquitous nightclubs, big hotels, and slick international bars that are par for the course in most resorts are notably absent from Nozawa Onsen. Instead, expect a traditional Japanese town in a beautiful mountain setting \u2013 which just happens to sit slap-bang at the centre of a fantastic ski area.<\/p>\n<p>The town has stood here since the eighth century, and the charming, wood-panelled streets are lined with buildings that have survived since the Edo period (1603-1868). Snowsports are only a recent string in Nozawa Onsen\u2019s bow, and you will find a depth of history and culture here unrivalled in any other ski resort in Japan.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10278\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10278\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02517.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10278\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02517.jpg\" alt=\"Steam rises from hot buns at a Nozawa Onsen shop\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02517.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02517-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02517-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02517-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02517-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02517-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10278\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nozawa Onsen&#8217;s narrow streets are packed with typical, authentic Japanese shops like this one<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>You can stay at a <em>ryokan<\/em> inn<\/h2>\n<p>One of the great benefits of staying in Nozawa Onsen as opposed to any other resort is the opportunity to stay at a traditional Japanese inn, or <em>ryokan<\/em>. At these establishments, guests sleep on futon bedding laid out on <em>tatami<\/em> mats, bathe in communal hot spring baths, and eat included meals consisting of an elaborate array of delicate, Japanese-style dishes.<\/p>\n<p>Staying at a <em>ryokan<\/em> can be one of the highlights of visiting Japan, and it\u2019s an experience you can\u2019t have anywhere else in the world. We\u2019ve written many a panegyric to the Japanese inn \u2013 read more about it here.<\/p>\n<h2>There are amazing hot spring baths<\/h2>\n<p>Many, many hundreds of years before snowsports were ever heard of, Nozawa Onsen was already well-known in Japan for its proliferation of hot spring baths. In fact, that\u2019s where the suffix \u201cOnsen\u201d comes from: <em>onsen<\/em> is the Japanese word for hot spring.<\/p>\n<p>Though you\u2019ll find hot springs at every ski resort in Japan, the ones at Nozawa Onsen are special. In addition to the usual baths at the town\u2019s traditional inns, there are several public bathhouses throughout the town that have been preserved in their original Edo-period form. These are basic, free to use, and very, very hot! A nice long soak makes the perfect end to a day on the slopes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10277\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10277\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02512.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10277\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02512.jpg\" alt=\"The town's central bathhouse\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02512.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02512-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02512-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02512-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02512-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02512-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10277\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nozawa Onsen&#8217;s central bathhouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The location is excellent<\/h2>\n<p>Like Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen is excellently located for a ski-and-culture holiday. A snowsports trip here can easily be extended into a longer winter holiday through Japan, taking in Tokyo, Kyoto and numerous other famous sites. For experienced skiers or boarders, a few nights in Nozawa could even be combined with a few nights in neighbouring Hakuba, giving you even more mountain to explore.<\/p>\n<p>For those who don\u2019t have the time for a full-blown cultural extension, there are also some fantastic day trips within easy reach of Nozawa. Nagano\u2019s impressive Zenko-ji Temple and the famous \u201csnow monkeys\u201d of Yudanaka are both just an hour away by road \u2013 making Nozawa more conveniently placed even than Hakuba on the day trip front!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10275\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10275\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02508.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10275\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02508.jpg\" alt=\"View over the mountains\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02508.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02508-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02508-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02508-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02508-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02508-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10275\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View over the mountains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>\u2026 And the snow\u2019s not bad either!<\/h2>\n<p>All these reasons already and I haven\u2019t even mentioned the most important thing of all!<\/p>\n<p>Nozawa Onsen is certainly not as extensive as Niseko, Hakuba or Shiga Kogen (another vast resort) but it\u2019s no consolation prize for hardcore powderhounds. There are enough runs here to easily keep you busy for up to five days or so \u2013 and if you need more, you can always combine it with a few nights in nearby Hakuba.<\/p>\n<p>Expect a combination of wide, groomed pistes, tree runs and mogul runs, with regular powder dumps ensuring that the moguls never get too entrenched. The resort takes a relatively relaxed attitude toward off-piste compared with some places in Japan, and there are backcountry guides available for the more adventurous.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10276\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10276\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02509.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10276\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02509.jpg\" alt=\"Out on the slopes\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02509.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02509-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02509-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02509-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02509-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/DSC02509-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10276\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Out on the slopes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019ve been inspired by Nozawa Onsen, you\u2019d better be quick \u2013 before the rest of the world finds out!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10272\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! If you\u2019re an avid snowsports fan, the first Japanese resort that springs to mind will probably be Niseko, which is widely (and deservedly, we might add) considered to be Japan\u2019s biggest and best. You might also have heard of Hakuba \u2013 slightly smaller and less well-known, but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2369],"tags":[1970,2102,2103,2112,2318],"class_list":["post-10272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports-and-adventure-in-japan","tag-onsen","tag-ski","tag-skiing","tag-snow","tag-winter"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10272"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10272\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25314,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10272\/revisions\/25314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}