Nagano

Well I made it to my destination, the sleep ghot-town-like village of Nozawa Onsen. Where the steam from the constantly running hot spring water emanates from a dozen or more classic little hot tub rooms which are dotted around the town.

Image courtesy of IXSMTravel.com

The snow will bring the holiday makers from Tokyo but also from far and wide, foreigners as well.
The town has very narrow roads and rarely do you see anywhere to park a car, so car parks are used and people wander about from hotel to store to onsen (hot tub) making for an aura that is probably reminisce of decades if not centuries ago.

The nightly ritual of soaking in the onsen before going to bed is putting a smile on my dial every bed time.  :)


I have to get out today and try take some photos.. there is a sprinkling of snow on the highest points, a sign of what's coming.