Update Nozawa Onsen Japan Getting back on track in Nagano Just an update on the clean up situation in Iiyama and Nagano in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis which hit the area badly just last weekend. Some great progress has been made but still a lot of work to be done and the local councils are still looking for Volunteers to help. If you can lend some time or want to donate some funds here are some links from the local JET Teachers https://naganojets.wordpress.com/2019/10/14/call-for-aid-donations-for-disaster-hit-areas/ If you are keen to come up and help great to see you and Lodge Nagano is offering free accommodation to anyone that is willing to volunteer so just drop a mail to […]
Nozawa Onsen Summer
Rugby World Cup Japan
Rugby World Cup Japan Getting to the pointy end for the Rugby World Cup and just quietly haven’t the host nation Japan being doing well! The first Asian country rot make it all the way to the Quater Finals. Now facing off with the old nemesis South Africa this weekend. Just 8 teams remain and it is going to be hard to pick a likely winner at this stage Nozawa Onsen is a great place to visit in between the matches or even for the whole time. So come on up and experience Japanese Country Hospitality at its best. There are a few pubs in the village showing the games on big screens and lots of fun activities to enjoy […]
Typhoon update Nozawa Onsen Nagano Japan
Typhoon update Nozawa Onsen Nagano Japan The Power of Mother Nature Things are returning to normal in Nozawa, there was some flooding in the basements of some houses and lodges but we were pretty lucky. Due to Nozawa’s elevation most of the water ran down the hills into the valley. Sadly the residents of Iiyama and Nagano were not so lucky and there has been some serious flooding there from the banks of the Chikuma River breaking. Looking at this video from Nishiotaki Dam just below Nozawa Onsen on Sunday it is humbling to see the power of the water flowing down the river. Typhoon Hagibis Nozawa Onsen Japan Still drizzly in Nozawa today but forecast is for Sunshine […]
Craft Beer Festival Nozawa Onsen Japan
Craft Beer Festival Nozawa Onsen Japan Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan believe it or not with locals consuming more off the Amber Ale than even the more historic drink Sake. The market has been dominated by 3 big players for many years Kirin, Asahi and Sapporo all terrific beers on their own and also gaining popularity abroad. When I first arrived in Japan almost 30 years ago I was having a few quiet beers at a small pub in a little town called Tsunami. The bar man shared with me his story of how Beer came to Japan in the Edo Period Centuries ago. I am yet to find out if this is factual but it […]
Film Festival Nozawa Onsen Japan
Film Festival Nozawa Onsen Japan The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming to Nozawa Onsen The Banff Mountain Film Festival is the most prestigious international film competition and an annual presentation of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, and environment. It was launched in 1976 as The Banff Festival of Mountain Films by The Banff Centre and is held every October in Banff, Canada. Approximately 375 films are entered into the film festival annually, and the top 80 films are selected by a pre-screening committee to be shown at the week-long festival in Canada. From this selection a program of over 2 hours of thought-provoking films, with subject matter ranging from remote landscapes and cultures to adrenaline-packed […]
Rainy Season Nozawa Onsen Japan
Rainy Season Nozawa Onsen Japan “Rainy” Rainy Season in Japan This year in Nozawa and across many parts of Japan we have seen a bit more wet weather than normal and cooler temperatures. Especially compared to the hot summer last year when the highest temperature ever recorded was hit at 41.1 degrees in Saitama. The cause of the cooler, rainy weather is an anticyclone in the Sea of Okhotsk, off the eastern seaboard of Russia, that has been pushing cold and humid air south across Japan. Japan is hit by a rainy season between late June and early July that has usually finished by now, but looks like still a bit of rain to come. The weather is affecting […]
Shirakawago Magic Village Japan
Serious Snowfall at Shirakawago Shirakawago is a unique little mountain village nestled along the Shogawa river valley that borders Gifu and Toyama prefectures. It became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1995 and is becoming well known for the beautiful traditional “Gassho-Zukuri Farmhouses in the village some of which are more than 250 Years old. The houses are a unique architectural style developed over generations and designed to withstand the heavy snow the region experiences over Winter. Days like this photo when the whole sky seems to be full of huge flakes. If you are looking to travel on from Nozawa it makes a great stop over between Kanazawa and Takayama. A beautiful destination all year round to experience the […]
Country Escape from Tokyo Japan
Country Escape from Tokyo Japan A birds eye view of how Nozawa Onsen looks right now! For many that visit Nozawa in the Winter months it is always interesting to see how Nozawa looks in the “Green Season”. It is very Green right now and the rice paddies are flourishing with the recent rains and warm weather. Hard to believe in just 5 months all this could be under a few meters of snow! Seiji san arigatou for the great footage Nozawa Onsen is just 2 hours from Tokyo yet a world away. A quaint village of just 3500 people but proudly having some amazing restaurants, bars and cafes to enjoy. Along with fantastic activities to enjoy year round. Along […]
Nozawa Onsen Autumn Lantern Festival 2019
Nozawa Onsen Autumn Lantern Festival 2019 Each year, on the 8th and 9th of September, the village comes alive for the Nozawa Onsen Autumn Lantern Festival. It’s a great insight into Japanese tradition and hospitality. However, even if you can’t make those dates, all is not lost. Those who have visited Nozawa will remember that each little area surrounding an onsen is its own little community. Many of these communities (Akiha, surrounding Kaiya Nozawa and Nakao, the area around Villa Nozawa, as examples) host their own mini-festivals, either side of the main event. It makes for a particularly vibrant period. Visitors will hear local participants practicing drums and rehearsing dances in the days leading up to each festival. As mentioned, […]
Iiyama Sawagosa Music Festival – Nozawa Onsen
Iiyama Sawagosa Music Festival Across the valley from Nozawa, the Iiyama Sawagosa Music Festival features well-known and local music, handmade art and food (the food alone is worth a visit) and skate/bike demonstrations. There are also fireworks, plenty of beer (thanks to staff like the kind gents pictured) and a campsite. It all makes for what is a truly local yet welcoming vibe. Sawagosa takes its name from an expression meaning “let’s make some noise”. While there is plenty of that, it all goes down with the Japanese goodwill and friendliness we love. For such an awesome festival, it surprises to learn it’s organised by a group of volunteers. Actually, perhaps that’s not a surprise. There’s an obvious love for […]