BACK TO JAPAN
WHERE TRADITION AND CULTURE COLLIDE WITH SOME OF THE DEEPEST POWDER SKIING ON EARTH. WORDS: DREW JOLOWICZ ALL PHOTOS: DYLAN ROBINSON
Three years is a long time. So, when the Japanese Government announced late last year that its borders would be re-opening for travellers in time for winter there was a real sense of excitement in the air. The reason for the renewed optimism was obvious. Japan receives some of the most consistent and deepest powder snow on earth. Period. I’ve been coming to the Land of the Rising Sun since the early 2000s and have noticed some marked changes over that time. Most significant is the growing number of foreign skiers descending upon the more mainstream resorts. As skiers we’re always searching for something new. The next ‘it’ location if you like. As a result, some destinations which were previously considered hidden gems are not so secret anymore. This is all well and good, and necessary, for a sustainable industry, so long as that growth doesn’t occur at the expense of tradition and culture. After all, part of what makes an overseas trip special is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local customs and way of living. A place that strikes the perfect balance between preserving the old and embracing the new is Nozawa Onsen. As far as a spot to experience a holistic Japanese experience they don’t come much more authentic than this wonderfully historic village.
Opposite page: The history surrounding the Dosojin Fire Festival is every bit as dramatic as this image portrays. Under the watchful eye of Nozawa’s local males the ancient ceremony takes place with spectators welcomed. Just don’t get too close. This page: Scenes from Nozawa Onsen. After a few years away, it was a real pleasure to share this experience with such a talented group of skiers.
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