Nozawa Connect 2013 2014 by Snow Connections

Welcome to Nozawa Onsen, deep in the heart of Japan’s snow country. A common question from first-time visitors is “Why does it snow so much?”

t’s a great question, because if you looked at a world map, you would find Nozawa Onsen at about the same latitude as Algeria or Tunisia in North Africa, places known for hot and dry, not cold and snowy. The answer is that a combination of cold weather blows down from the Siberian hinterlands and the Arctic Sea, picks up moisture over the Sea of Japan, and then suddenly hits the mountains in Nagano, resulting in huge snowfall. As the crow flies, Nozawa Onsen is just over 30km from the coast, and is perfectly placed to take advantage of this phenomenon. Nozawa’s neighbour, Sakae-mura, holds the record for the deepest snow in any inhabited part of Japan.

Nozawa Connect

The snow depth there hit an incredible 7.85m on February 12, 1945. That was measured right by the train station! Nozawa Onsen has a rich history that extends back long before anyone took to the slopes to ski. Legend has it that the village was founded by a Buddhist monk in 724 AD. According to that story, the monk discovered the natural hot springs flowing underneath the village. Another legend says that a wounded bear revealed the hot springs to a hunter. Archeological digs have found ruins of dwellings and pottery that point to settlements dating back some 3,000 years. Whatever did happen,

the hot springs at Nozawa emerge at ground level, which means they would not have been difficult to locate or to put to use. The “Onsen” in Nozawa Onsen is the Japanese word for natural hot-spring. Communal bathing with total strangers is perhaps the most quintessentially Japanese thing that visitors to Japan can try. The water passes through several rock layers and contains many minerals believed to have special healing powers. The smell alone will tell you that the water is sulphurous. Most of the thirty or so sources, with the exception of the “Kuma no Te” (Bear’s Paw) bathhouse, range from forty to a scalding ninety degrees Centigrade. Such high temperatures allow the cooking of food, so you can see locals using the water to boil eggs and cook sweet buns called “manju”. The ﬁrst bathhouse was built for a visiting samurai warlord in the Middle Ages. The construction resulted in a set of rules on

how to manage the hot springs that are still in use today. They include the banning of boring for onsen water and using only natural springs, not water that is artificially heated. There are thirteen free public bathhouses at Nozawa Onsen, and we recommend trying all of them. Like a pub crawl, many visitors enjoy an onsen crawl or “hashigo” as it is called in Japanese. The development of Nozawa as an onsen town is directly reflected in the overwhelmingly Japanese frontage of the buildings lining the narrow walkable streets in the village. Unlike other ski areas in Japan, the existence of a four-season onsen-based tourist trade has counteracted the overwhelmingly European influence of skiing, allowing Nozawa to retain a welcoming and nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. We strongly recommend strolling through the streets in the evenings, past the open fronts of the souvenir shops and the illuminated facades of the ryokan and bathhouses like O-yu. The roads are

Nozawa Connect

Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Ski Boutique Hotel

Nozawa Connect

Shinden-no-yu Bathhouse While the water you can see flowing from the mouth of the lion appears clear and colorless, the water in the bathtub is slightly milky.

Kamitera-yu Bathhouse It is said that hot water at this bathhouse is especially good for cuts, burns, and boils. The water here has a slightly greenish transparent hue.

Asagama-no-yu Bathhouse There is a communal laundry behind this bathhouse building. This Soto-yu is much loved by locals.

Nakao-no-yu Bathhouse Kumanotearayu Bathhouse An old bathhouse said to have been discovered by a bear. It is said that Nozawa-onsen originated in this place, which according to legend was shown to a hunter by an injured bear.

Nozawa Connect

This massive bathhouse is the largest of Nozawa-onsen’s Soto-yu. The communal bathhouse is in a building constructed in a temple style.

O-yu Bathhouse Located in the center of the town, the O-yu bathhouse—the symbol of Nozawa-onsen—is the largest and grandest bathhouse building among the Soto-yu. This is a must-try bathhouse for visitors to Nozawa-onsen.

MatsubaBathho

While the found building is st bathroom insid style of a temp nice atmos

a-no-yu house

ndation of the stone, the side is in the mple, with a osphere.

Yokochi-no-yu Bathhouse This bathhouse is located in the basement of a building below the Yokochi traffic lights, and the stone wall of the building serves as a landmark. The water at this bathhouse is especially good for skin diseases.

Taki-no-yu Bathhouse With its traditional style building, this public bathhouse has a relaxing atmosphere. The water at this bathhouse is good for those recovering from serious illnesses.

Shin-yu Bathhouse This public bathhouse is located near the entrance to Tsutsujiyama Park, at the north end of town. People say that the water here is good for diseases cured by warming.

Kawahara-yu Bathhouse Though small, this bathhouse has a typical bathhouse style building with a traditional atmosphere. The water here is said to be good for skin diseases. The water is very hot.

Akiha-no-yu Bathhouse This bathhouse is located a bit away short distance from the center of the Onsen district. The floor of the bathtub is tiled, and the slightly milky hot water here is constantly replaced as it flows from the spring.

Juodo-no-yu Bathhouse This Soto-yu is a somewhat modern western style building. The first floor is for women and the second floor is for men.

Nozawa Connect

Aprés Ski Guide to Nozawa Restaurants & Cafés Himatsuri

SOBA

Japanese Enjoy “Kaiseki” style dinner courses featuring local cuisine and seasonal ingredients. 0269-85-1230 (Map F-4)

The classic local food in Nagano is soba, thin brown noodles made of buckwheat, a crop grown locally. Buckwheat has distinctive yellow or white flowers and grows quickly, allowing two harvests a year even in Hakuba where the fi elds spend much time under snow. Soba noodles can be eaten hot in a warming fish broth flavoured with bonito or cold on a tray with a stronger soy-based dipping sauce. Typical accompaniments include spring onion, wasabi radish, ground sesame seeds, tempura prawns and vegetables, wild mushrooms, and thin slices of fried tofu. Soba noodles are filling enough to be a meal in themselves. The lack of gluten in buckwheat makes the kneading of the flour into noodles a rare art, and means the best soba restaurants still prepare their noodles by hand. At around 18%, buckwheat is very high in protein and can be eaten by even the most health-conscious. For the rest of us though, the temptation to pair it with tempura is hard to resist.

Kiriya Ryokan Japanese Restaurant open to nonguests. Reservation required. Set Course from 3,000yen 0269-85-2020 (Map F-2)

Tamon Japanese The best local produce as new Japanese cuisine. 0269-85-2064 (Map C-3)

Daimon Soba Classic local soba buck wheat noodles. Great family atmosphere. 3rd generation recipes. 0269-85-2033 (Map E-5)

Kaze no ie

on the tatami mats. 0269-85-2458 (Map H-7)

Wanryu Chinese Try a wide variety of ramen noodles. (Closed Tues) 0269-85-2439 (Map E-5)

Italian Bistro Italian. Soup, Salad, Fish, Meat. Pizza & Pasta. Over 150 diff erent wines 0269-85-3244 (Map F-4)

Hamacho-sushi

Toyo Ramen

Sushi We serve delicious Sushi and snacks using only the freshest ﬁsh. (Closed Wed) 0269-85-2591 (Map D-5)

Japanese Chicken & Eel dish, a traditional Japanese food. 0269-85-2044 (Map C-2)

Billiken The recommendation is pizza. 0269-85-2078 (Map E-39)

Kawahiro

Café Step

Japanese

Enjoy Après ski in Step. 0269-85-3117 (Map H-7)

Enjoy Japanese food sitting

A coffee and tea shop 0269-85-2016 (Map E-4)

Atarashiya

Chinese Recommendations Stamina spicy ramen & Homemade Gyoza. 0269-85-3363 (Map F-4)

Carte

Restaurant Country Papa We recommend the chicken steak-It’s best in this Western style restaurant. 0269-85-2646 (Map G-7)

Ohtaki Western food, Japanese food and Chinese noodles. Reservations required. 0269-85-4000 (Map H-6)

Robata

NOZAWANA Nozawana are pickled Japanese vegetables named after Nozawa Onsen. The story goes that because of the ideal waters surrounding the village, many of the ﬁrst ski tourist will so impressed with the taste that the nickname Nozawana was born. Many Japanese visitors to Nozawa Onsen will buy multiple packs, take them back home and give them to their friends as gifts. Many restaurants in Nozawa will offer side dishes of Nozawana.

Nozawa Connect

A friendly restaurant that serves local food. 0269-85-3005 (Map D-4)

Sweets & Gelato Haus St Anton Home made & natural sweets! 0269-85-2065 (Map D-4)

Wakagiri Sushi, Tempura and Chinese noodles. 0269-85-2040 (Map E-6)

Bars & Karaoke Foot Sports Bar On O-yu street. Free internet with a drink. 0269-85-4004 (Map E-5)

Himatsuri A variety of locally brewed sake and original cocktails. 0269-85-1230 (Map F-4)

Himecho Great for Après Ski, Karaoke Bar. 0269-85-4090 (Map F-3)

Enjoy delicious liquor with Karaoke Heaven. 0269-85-4349 (Map E-5)

Stay Drinks at this shot bar while listening to nice music. 0269-85-3404 (Map E-5)

Please enjoy our delicious local brand of sake and homemade oden. 0269-85-5008 (Map E-4)

Tsukoshinnbo Warm atmosphere with

Exiev Play darts & pool in this bar. 0269-85-4222 (Map D-4)

Hokkiko Record and watch yourself singing on video. 0269-85-2071 (Map E-4)

Izakaya Yonetaro

Karaoke Heaven

Kuan

delicious cuisine and liquor. 0269-85-3565 (Map F-4)

0269-85-2540 (Map F-6)

Jisaku Japanese food bar with raw horsemeat and Chinese yam steaks as our specialty. 0269-85-3410 (Map D-4)

Minato Enjoy karaoke over nice cocktails. 0269-85-5421 (Map F-3)

Tatsu-ya Rich variety of Sake & Shochu. 0269-85-0315 (Map F-3)

SAKE Brewed since 1906 in nearby Iiyama City Mizuo Sake is made from natural spring water that is found abundantly in the region. This is distilled with locally grown rice to produce one of the finest sakes in Japan. There are three to choose from: Green – popular with the locals, great hot or cold. A little dry. Blue – A fuller flavour, great compliment to dinner. Red – Editors favorite! Savor not only the taste but also the aroma. Ask for it by name in the hotel, restaurants and bars. The large bottles also make some great souvenirs to take home.

Nozawa connect

сИгроПрзЫ P 0W 0DGDUDR

тАл╪ЮтАм

р┤мрмм 9LHZ 3RLQW

тАл╪ЮтАм

W DQ *L

UVH

U/ YH

QJ UYL &D 3DUN H

.LGb V 3DUN

0DGDUDR .RJHQ+RWHO 1 R 3

1 R 3

JLQ

5HVWDXUDQW

+HLGL

5HVWDXUDQW

6KLUDNDED

,QIRPDWLRQ&HQWHU

3DWURO2├оFH &DOEXO&DU2├оFH

% R

LN D

H $

ORS

RVK 5HVWDXUDQW

:HVW9DOOH\

5HVWDXUDQW

7RZDVDQN

JLQQHU $

UDGLF

.DP

OH6 3R

QHU

DU NL Q J

D UN LQ

7LURO

%HJLQQHU%RDUGHU

)UHHULGH тАл╪Щ╪Щ╪ЩтАм3DUN

1R 3DUNLQJ SL

6QRZ5DIWLQJ

D NDE

UD 6KL

H )U

LG HU

&U\VWD O

1R 3DUNLQJ

5HVWDXUDQW

%DQ├н

P KD

VOH

V$L

XUH

S0 R

D G&

YHQW

2 F H 9 DQ LHZ

ੂ௻॥‫ش‬५‫؞‬ग़জ॔

๺੤ৃ

র௻॥‫ش‬५‫؞‬ग़জ॔

੧৔ਚ

঱௻॥‫ش‬५‫؞‬ग़জ॔

೰૧஼

ॱথॢছ঒୆ੀ଍

ॳॣॵॺਲ਼ৃ

ଵ৶યୠ୆ੀ଍‫؞‬য়োరૃ଍ ଵ৶યୠ୆ੀ଍‫؞‬য়োరૃ଍

ঞ५ॺছথ

ෟ௒రૃग़জ॔

॥ॖথটॵढ़‫ش‬

ॶজ‫ش‬ছথग़জ॔

ঞথॱঝ३ঙॵউ

জইॺ

५ॡ‫ش‬ঝ

Beginner Couse&Area Intermediate Couse&Area Advanced Couse&Area Area borderline (Madarao&Tangram) Ski Area Boundary borderline Ski Area Boundary Tree-Run Area

Parking Information center First Aid Ticket Sales Restaurant

Locker Room

Rentals Shop Snow School

H /LQ

Chair Lift

U: DYH

⋜

৴൪ઠ

৴൪ઠ 6N

\/RY

N\9

LHZ

ሣஏৈਉ५य़‫ॱؙৃش‬থॢছ঒ሣஏ

èȄȪȸȩȳǳȸǹƴƭƍƯ ȄȪȸȩȳǳȸǹưƸᇌஙᘔᆳƷӧᏡࣱǋƋǓǇƢƷư Ɲᐯ៲Ʒ২ᘐǛᎋƑŴƝᐯ៲Ʒᝧ˓ưƓ๖Ǔɦƞƍŵ ȘȫȡȃȈȷȬǬȸǹƷბဇǛƓᫍƍƍƨƠǇƢŵ ǇƨŴᨀᩌȷǳȸǹཞඞሁƴǑǓǯȭȸǺƞƤƯ᪬Ƙ‫ئ‬ӳƕƝƟƍǇƢ ※Attention for Tree-run Course There is a possibility of hitting a tree in the Tree-run course. Select the course for your level. Please enter at your own risk. Recommend the wearing of Helmet, Leg guards and Protector. May be closed depending on Weather and Course conditions.

http://madarao.jp

TEL:0269-64-3214

Nozawa Connect

Nozawa connect