Today is the day! South Africa vs England in the Ruby World Cup final. England previously has won the Rugby World Cup in 2003 while South Africa has won twice in 1995 and 2007. England defeated New Zealand for their place in the final while South Africa took out Wales. It’s set to be an explosive match with both teams playing aggressively throughout the whole tournament. In Australia, kickoff will commence at 8pm (AEST). Who do YOU think will win? This is the first time a country in Asia has hosted the Rugby World Cup and not the last time Japan will host an international sporting event. Next summer Japan hosts the 2020 Olympics. Due to our history […]
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Nozawa Onsen Events Calendar 2019/20
Nozawa Onsen Events Calendar 2019/20 There are a growing number of events and activities in Nozawa Onsen. To keep track of everything, check out our new Nozawa Onsen Events Calendar. If there is anything you happen to stumble upon that we may have missed please let us know – there’s a good chance others will be interested too! Some of the dates for the coming winter season (October onward) are yet to be finalised. Also, as events come and go, we’ll look forward to the next year. That means we’ll be updating the calendar constantly. Enquiries may be directed to stay@nozawaholidays.com. 2019 April Echigo-Tsumari Art Field – 27th (until end of October) Yoga Retreat (with Mariko & Luke) – begins […]
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 […]
Half Marathon and Trail Running, Nozawa Onsen, 2021
Half-Marathon and Trail Running, Nozawa Onsen, 2021 The village and mountains of Nozawa Onsen and its surrounds provide a beautiful backdrop for increasingly popular running events. The main two are July’s 4100D trail running event and the Kita Shinshu Half Marathon in September. Along the village streets and mountain trails of this traditional Japanese village, the 4100D is a truly unique experience. So too, the Kita Shinshu half marathon, stretching along the Chikuma River from Nozawa Onsen to Iiyama city. Details for running events in Nozawa Onsen this Green Season; 4100D Nozawa Onsen 2021 – Friday, 23rd July – Categories; 65 km, 23km, 14 km – Entry; 65 km (17,000 yen), 23 km (8,000 yen), 14 km trail race (6,000 […]
Host Own Yoga Retreat, Nozawa Onsen, Japan
Host your Own Yoga Retreat, Nozawa Onsen, Japan As mentioned within our Green Season Long-stay deals post, the yoga scene in Nozawa Onsen is a burgeoning one. We’ve begun hosting our own yoga retreats over the past few summers and the responses have been resounding and affirmative. While we’re looking forward to this year’s retreats, there is also another option for instructors and their groups – host your own yoga retreat! Nozawa Holidays has seen increasing interest from those wishing to take advantage of the village’s ideal setting to host their own retreats. And of course, we’re well-positioned and willing to help. Our accommodation options are ample and yoga spaces not limited to indoor areas. There’s also the shade of […]
Nozawa Onsen Summer v Winter; a Comparison
Nozawa Onsen Summer v Winter There’s a really good chance most of us are here reading this post because we like seeing what our favourite little ski town looks like when it’s green. With that in mind, we don’t have to point out that Nozawa Onsen is among the best powder destinations you could ever hope to find. Nor do we really have to mention how unique it is to find a traditional Japanese town and free public onsens at the base of the mountain. Given that we already know about winter, how does the Green Season compare? Hitting the Slopes Of course, the slopes are still there but they tend to turn into one of two things; farming land […]
Backpacker-Style Nozawa Onsen
Backpacker-Style Nozawa Onsen Winter v Summer #nozawawintervsummer Winter in Nozawa Onsen is a different beast to the Green Season. During winter, Nozawa hosts skiers and boarders in search of some of the world’s finest powder snow. The kicker is what makes the village unique. Unlike many ski resort towns which pretty much only exist for winter sports, Nozawa has long been a destination worth visiting across all seasons. The Onsen in “Nozawa Onsen” Japanese people have been visiting for literally centuries. The healing and relaxing hot spring waters of the onsens is what they’ve come in search of. Today, the village’s 13 public onsens remain free to use to visitors and locals alike. This is quite unique among other onsen […]
Mountain Biking & Trail Running, Nozawa Onsen Summer 2018
Mountain Biking, Nozawa Onsen Summer 2018 Details for mountain biking in Nozawa Onsen this summer; – Nagasaka Gondola will be open from 7th of July through to the 26th of August – purpose-built tracks, in addition to roads, lead down from the top of the mountain – can also ride to Shiga Kogen from May to November – Bike hire; ¥2000 per day for basic bike, starting from ¥4000 per day for cross bike/mountain bike – pictures, video and further info; Mountain biking Nozawa Onsen – the village and surrounds are perfect for road cycling too; Cycling Nozawa Onsen – discounted accommodation available at Kaiya Nozawa, Nozawa Central, Nozawa House & Harvest House – please feel free to email us […]
Cheap Summer Accommodation, Nozawa Onsen, Japan
Cheap Summer Accommodation in a Traditional Japanese Village Nozawa Onsen already owns its place on the adventure map for people over the winter season. The village sees skiers and boarders from all over the world visiting from December through April. Once the Green Season starts, things slow down but the charm of the village remains. The snow, skiers, and boarders are gone but many will tell you there’s more to do in the summer months! You can get to Nozawa Onsen in just 2 hours from Tokyo and immerse yourself in a traditional Japanese farming village that is both accessible and yet, truly authentic. Kaiya Nozawa is a traditional and very welcoming lodge. Just 50 metres from the mountain, it’s […]