Nozawa Onsen Hot Spring Resort, Nagano

“Nozawa Onsen Hot Spring Resort” in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture has a history, its hot water and spring quality are also one of the best hot springs in Japan. It is easily accessible from the metropolitan area through the Kanetsu Expressway and you can also enjoy sightseeing around the hot springs. The tour of hot water, shrines and temples, sightseeing in the plateau are also the attraction of Nozawa Onsen Hot Spring Resort.
Speaking of Nozawa Onsen, the ski resort is famous, but sometimes historical sites and famous gourmet are also popular as it has been loved as a place for hot springs of the common people. From the early summer fresh green to the autumn leaves, there is also a spot most suitable for a spectacular scenery.
“Kitchen of Nozawa Onsen” is said to be “Ogama” where the source springs up. The reason for being called “Kitchen” is because villagers gather at “Ogama” to boil “Nozawana” (a variation of turnip), vegetables, eggs etc. Ogama’s hot water temperature is about 90 degrees, and Nozawana is reputed that cooking with this hot water further improves the taste.
Nozawa Onsen has over 30 sources as well as Ogama. Ogama is a symbol of sightseeing. This unique scenery is designated as a natural monument of the country. When you stop by for sightseeing, it is a spot to go.
Located in the center of Nozawaonsen city, the symbol of tourism in Nozawaonsen is “Ohyu”. It is popular as a building that transfers the bath-houses architecture of the Edo period to the present age. It has become a three-layer wooden building and has a beautiful appearance.
The Nozawa Onsen Hot Spring Resort features 13 “sotoyu” (an external hot spring bath) in addition to the inside bath in the inn. This “sotoyu” has been managed by villagers from the Edo period, and it is still a common property of the village. “Sotoyu” draws from a rich source, and the temperature of the hot water is very hot. Villagers as well as tourists can use it free of charge. The source is hot from 70 degrees to 80 degrees and is being poured into the bathtube as it is. It is high enough to enter for tourists very much. If you dilute with water, let ‘s do before you accept other customers’ consent.

The quality of springs and the effect also differ

There are about 30 sources in the village and there are 13 free public baths called “sotoyu” (an external hot spring bath) in the Nozawa Onsen Hot Spring Resort. The sources are weak alkaline, 100% natural hot spring. Depending on the bathroom, the shape and construction of the building, the layout are all different, the quality of springs and the effect also differ.

“Yunakama” is carrying out daily cleaning

The “sotoyu” has been used every day as a place where community residents live together for a long time. In each sotoyu, residents around them manage and operate a system called “Yunakama” (hot spring circle). Moreover, “Yunakama” is carrying out daily cleaning by the burden of an electric cost or water rates, and the person-on-duty system.

Local residence once smeared hemp in this hot water

“Ogama” is one of the places of scenic beauty in Nozawa Onsen Hot Spring Resort, which is one of the more than 30 sources in Nozawa Onsen and is pumping up nearly 100 degrees hot water. The name “Ogama” seems to come from what local residence once smeared hemp in this hot water reservoir and then peeled off. The spectacle of dipping Lardizabalaceae pericarp of a specialty in an iron pot from hemp is seen now.

It is unusual worldwide that hot springs are used in close contact with living

“Ogama” is also called the kitchen of Nozawa Onsen. There, local people boil wild grass and vegetables daily, and nozawana is washed there and it is used.
It seems that it is unusual worldwide that hot springs are used in close contact with living so much.

Everyone can satisfy from beginners to advanced people

The Nozawa Onsen ski resort is the ski resort with the largest scale and tradition in the country spreading from the summit of Mt. Kenashi to the foot of the mountain. The slopes have a variety of courses, including spacious gentle slopes, steep slopes that can confirm their abilities, and ridge tour courses. Here, you can enjoy a skiing experience that everyone can satisfy from beginners who first touches snow to advanced people.

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