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Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen is the quintessential traditional Japanese onsen village. It is uniquely famous for its 13 public bathhouses, known as Soto-yu, which are maintained by the local community and remain free for visitors to use. The heart of the village is the Ogama hot spring, where the water is so hot that locals traditionally use it to cook eggs and vegetables, providing a fascinating glimpse into daily life. As a ski destination, Nozawa provides an extensive variety of slopes and consistently high snowfall levels. A major cultural highlight is the Dosojin Fire Festival held annually on January 15th, one of Japan's three great fire festivals, featuring a spectacular wooden shrine-burning ritual. The village's narrow, winding streets are lined with historic ryokans, traditional shops, and cozy eateries. Local cuisine is famous for Nozawana-zuke, a distinctive pickled vegetable grown in the area. The village is best reached by taking the Shinkansen to Iiyama Station followed by a short bus ride. While winter is the peak season for skiing and soaking in the baths, summer features a cool, peaceful retreat great for mountain walks and relaxation.
- Location: Japan
- Top sights: Kenmei-ji Temple · Japan Ski Museum · Sotoyu Akiba no Yu
- Nearby: Joetsu (29 km)
- Population: ~3.279 (2024)
Geography
Facts
- 13 free communal bathhouses
- Cooking in the Ogama hot spring
- Famous Dosojin Fire Festival
- One of Japan's oldest ski areas
- Historic ryokan accommodations
- Famous for Nozawana pickles
- Charming car-free village streets
- High-quality natural powder snow
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Nozawa Onsen (6)
Frequently asked questions
Nozawa Onsen: where is it located?
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Nozawa Onsen: why is it worth visiting?
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