Food & Nightlife
When you’ve had enough of eating the
Nozawa Onsen powder you can enjoy some of the fabulous cuisine that the town has to offer. Dining in Nozawa Onsen is a highlight of the holiday experience, so if you can avoid an accommodation package that includes dinner, you can get out and about and explore the various bars and restaurants.
There aren’t that many Westerners that visit Nozawa Onsen (yet!) but in the evenings it seems as though there are lots of Aussies and other Westerners because most Japanese travellers stay in their hotel for dinner.
Just a little word of advice…..Nozawa Onsen is steeped in tradition and is desperately trying to hold onto its traditional heritage, and the threat of obnoxious westerners challenges this. No one wants this to be the next
Niseko! Try to fit in with the culture. Try to learn at least a little Japanese language and be polite. Don’t be a bogan and don’t be like the Nozawana and become completely pickled! OK now that I’ve got that off my chest, go forth and enjoy the Nozawa Onsen restaurants and bars!
Nozawa Onsen Restaurants
The town of Nozawa Onsen has over 20 restaurants to choose from. There are a few restaurants that provide upmarket dining, but many of them offer inexpensive meals. Nozawa has a couple of Italian eateries, European food at Haus St Anton, and lots of Japanese restaurants that offer a range of cuisine.
Wakagiri is a popular choice for Westerners and a good place for orientation to a large range of yummy Japanese food, in part because they have a complete English menu and staff who speak English. The sushi and sashimi here is really impressive and the ramen and rice dishes are pretty good too. As the restaurant caters well to the Westerner, the only downside might be the occasional uncouth yobbo. Wakagiri is located on the main pedestrian street, with the entry located back from the street a fraction.
For a delightfully upmarket dinner, head to the restaurant on the 2nd floor of Onsen Ryokan Jon Nobi, adjacent to the Oyu onsen in the heart of Nozawa Onsen. The mezzanine floor restaurant décor is upscale traditional Japanese, but thankfully for ski-weary legs, the seating consists of western tables and chairs. They serve set banquet meals, shabu-shabu Japanese hot pots, and terrific sake. To complement the lovely dining experience, have a complimentary soak in one of their private onsens.
Akabitei is an Okonomiyaki restaurant and great for a cheap and cheerful feed. The owner cooks the Okonomiyaki, the Japanese pancake with the moving fish flakes on the top, on the grill in front of you, teppanyaki style.
If you want a really inexpensive meal, go to the bakery in the main street which is open during the day as well as in the evening. Otherwise many of the shops sell onsen eggs which are great with a bit of soy sauce. Onsen eggs are cooked in the hot onsen (or so they tell the tourists!) and have a hard yoke and soft whites, because the eggs are cooked at 90 degrees rather than at boiling temperature.
Another must-do in Nozawa Onsen is to scoff various pork buns/steamed dumplings. Rather than just standard pork and bean fillings, you can buy all sorts of sweet and savoury buns, and don’t worry that they’re sometimes called onsen manju - they’re not cooked in the onsen!
Nozawa Onsen Bars & Nightlife
Nozawa Onsen is somewhat unique amongst Japanese ski resorts (Niseko an exception) in that it has a little bit of nightlife. It’s certainly not like
Niseko, yet there are at least a few bars that offer some mellow après or nightlife. Don’t expect any dancing though!
Foot Bar in the main street has really friendly staff and is a charming spot for après drinks. Skiers and snowboarders stand around tables and share powder stories whilst nibbling on appetizers such as octopus balls or Nozawana (pickled vegetable).
Next door down in the basement is Stay Bar, an old style bar that is popular with Westerners. The owner is a fan of Jackson Brown so cool music is a theme of this bar. They have happy hour drinks from 4-6pm, or head there after dinner for a fantastic dessert such as apple crumble.
Himatsuri, named after the fire festival, is a very chic and upmarket izakaya bar at Onsen Ryokan Jonnobi. This is a very delightful spot for drinks, appetizers or dinner.
Another good bar to chill out is Heaven, and if you want to get right into the Japanese culture you can hire out a karaoke room and belt out some really cheesy tunes.