Nozawa Onsen’s Dosojin Matsuri (Fire Festival) – how NOT to be a douche at the Fire Festival

Every 15th of January, the villagers of Nozawa Onsen gather for the highlight of the Dosojin Matsuri. Matsuri means festival, and Japan is filled with many matsuri throughout the year. The “Dosojin” are Shinto guardian deities, and come in various … Continue reading

The best cafe in Nozawa-Onsen

If Studio Ghibli ever made a movie about a cute, loving couple who ran a cafe that served fantastic lattes, mochas, hot chocolates, baked curry, cakes, other home-made comfort food, and THE CUTEST cookies in the world…THIS cafe would be … Continue reading