What do the industry leaders think of Nozawa Onsen's appeal?
Hiroshi Kishino, president of Ameer Sports Japan, which handles many outdoor brands including "Salomon," and Mikio Katagiri, who was born and raised in Nozawa Onsen and is currently president of the Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort management company, will also be special guests on this tour with HOUYHNHNM's Ski Club ♡. Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort Management Company.
. Mr. Kishino (left photo) is an accomplished skier who was a serious competitor as a student. Katagiri-san (pictured right) was once one of Japan's top alpine skiers, and is a living legend with a spectacular record that includes two Winter Olympics appearances. Both of them are well known in the ski industry.
. Since they were going to be there, they decided to give us a special performance of their skating.
Wow, that's too much ....... It was the first time for me to see top-class skating in front of my eyes, and I was overwhelmed by the gorgeous skating, which was far beyond my imagination.
Mr. Kishino and Ms. Katagiri showed us a different dimension of skiing. Both of them seem to have a special attachment to Nozawa Onsen.
I have been going to Nozawa Onsen since I was a student. I have been going to Nozawa Onsen for more than 40 years. Among all the ski resorts, this one is exceptional. Nozawa Onsen is the birthplace of skiing in Japan and one of the most important ski resorts for Salomon. It is also one of the most important ski resorts for "Salomon" and cannot be overlooked when considering the operation of the Salomon Station. What I also feel, after many years of visiting Nozawa Onsen, is that people who were born and raised here have a strong love for their hometown, and even if they leave for the city for higher education or employment, many of them will eventually return and take over the family business. They also apply the sense and knowledge they have acquired in other places to the management of lodging and restaurant businesses. Therefore, while the history and culture have been passed down from generation to generation, they also have a new sense of style that is not found in other hot spring resorts. Such a ski resort is hard to find," said Kishino.
Nozawa Onsen has a long history as a therapeutic hot spring resort, and when the European ski culture arrived in Japan about 110 years ago, it was quickly introduced to Nozawa Onsen, and this small village has developed into one of the leading ski resorts in Japan. There are no luxury brand hotels here. However, there are slopes with excellent snow quality, a tradition as a hot spring resort, and a history of Japanese ski culture. I think these are the reasons why Nozawa Onsen has been loved for so many years. As Mr. Kishino mentioned, the residents of Nozawa Onsen have a strong love for their hometown, and the residents are tightly united with each other. I myself, who was born and raised here, love this village. I would like to pass on the history and culture of Nozawa Onsen to the next generation and the generation after that," said Katagiri.
A stroll through the elegant hot spring resort town, where the old and the new coexist.
Now, after a full day of skiing, you are ready to head to the Nozawa Onsen hot spring resort for the evening. One of the charms of Nozawa Onsen ski resort is that it is within walking distance from the ski resort to the hot spring resort.
The three of us strolling through the elegant hot spring resort town. There are traditional souvenir shops, and the onsen manju (a sweet bean-jam filled with bean paste), which are typical of the onsen town.
Nozawa Onsen is famous for its outside hot springs. There are 13 out-spa baths in the village, which are managed and maintained jointly by local residents, and they are open to tourists and overnight guests free of charge (a coin box is provided to collect donations). . This is "Oyu" located in the center of the hot spring resort.
This is the Hotel "House San Anton" , with its impressive European-style appearance. It sells handmade food products, including its famous jam, and also has a cozy café.
This time, HOUYHNHNM's Ski Club♡s group will be staying at "Shirakaba". The exterior of the hotel is classic, but the rooms have been renovated with modern interiors , and you can enjoy a comfortable stay.
The food at Shirakaba is also excellent. The variety of dishes prepared using seasonal ingredients will satisfy both your stomach and your mind.
Not only at this "Shirakaba", but also at all of the inns in Nozawa Onsen, the meals are of high quality. Moreover, there are many restaurants and taverns in the area. You can choose to have dinner and breakfast as we did this time and enjoy the meals at the inn, or you can choose not to have meals and go out to the restaurants and izakaya in the vicinity. This is always a headache when visiting Nozawa Onsen.
Nozawa Onsen offers a wide variety of attractions as a travel destination, including skiing and snowboarding in winter, trail running and camping in summer, and year-round visits to the hot springs. If you are planning a trip to Nozawa Onsen in the future, why not consider it as a potential destination?
