Nozawa Onsen Summer Festival
Nakao Festival on fire
Nozawa has 13 distinct districts or neighbourhoods known as Ku’s. Each Ku is a collection of houses and lodges that cluster around one of the 13 free Onsens in the village. The community work together to clean and take care of the Onsen houses, the streets, organise festivals and generally care for one another. It is a unique and very caring community that is rare to find not only in Japan but anywhere in the world.
Nakao is the biggest Ku in area and numbers and the residents are very proud of their territory and traditions. It is the area just below the Karasawa ski lift and Hachiman Shrine on the south side of the village. Every year the groups organise an annual Summer festival and Nakao held its Festival just a few days ago. Many locals think it is even better than the similar whole Village festival held on the 8th of September each year. Especially the Nakao local residents 🙂
There was dancing, drinking, eating and as always a bit of fire. If like to see some more be sure to visit Nozawa on the 8th and 9th of September and see the pantomime play out on the streets and shrines of Nozawa Onsen. https://www.nozawaholidays.com/news/autumn-lantern-festival-nozawa-onsen/
Nozawa is world famous for its Fire Festival in Winter held every year on the 15th of January but the Summer festivals are a much more local and intimate affair and well worth checking out. Combine it with a hiking or Mt Biking adventure and sure to be a highlight of your stay in Japan