Nakanosawa Onsen New Year's Eve [Snow Woman's Snow Prayer]
Will Yuki-onna solve the warm winter caused by a lack of snow?
Doesn't it feel like this winter is warmer than usual? It's certainly cold in the mornings and evenings, but when you go outside during the day when the sun is shining, you might feel a little hot even if you're wearing a coat... This kind of weather is continuing.
In fact, the first snow in Hokkaido fell on November 7th, which is 13 days earlier than last year, but still later than average.
This warm winter and the lack of snow compared to normal years are causing problems for ski resorts and tourist sites. Many of them are unable to operate due to the lack of snow, which is making things difficult for them financially.
The only way to overcome this situation is to make it snow. The person who can make it snow is the one who is well known for the popular song "As It Is".
Yes, it's a snow woman.
Yuki-onna gathered together and performed a "snow-prayer ceremony" at Nakanosawa Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture to mark the start of 2020.
The Yuki-onna procession begins on Onsen Street
Just before dawn on December 31st, just before the New Year, torches and lanterns begin to light up Nakanosawa Onsen Street. The ghost of Mount Aizu Bandai, Shu no Bon, a group of ghosts, and three Yuki-onna (snow women) are gathered there.
At first glance it looks eerie, but at the same time it is a little beautiful, just like a parade of one hundred demons. On a winter's night with little snowfall or accumulation, I walked towards the shrine on the hill above the hot spring plaza.
Snow-begging ceremony by Yuki-onna
After climbing a dark staircase, you will come to a shrine where a Yuki-onna dances with a silk veil and offers prayers for snow to fall.
This time, there were three Yuki-Onna who offered up their prayers for snow. They were so beautiful it was almost freezing!
first visit of the year to a shrine
Those who came to worship were given sweet sake. You can warm yourself up by the bonfire with the sweet sake. Although there is not much snow, the wind is cold, so make sure to warm yourself up.
Anyone who is able to take a photo with a Yuki-onna or a Yokai is very lucky.
New Year's calligraphy on snow
A giant calligraphy event was held by Ohitsu Kotetsunoshin, a large brush on snow. He wrote calligraphy with prayers for snow to fall.
The next day it snowed!
And perhaps Yuki-onna's prayer was answered... it snowed the next day, January 1st, at noon. What's more, it was a very heavy snowfall. It was a bit of a difficult time for those who had been planning to travel, but this will hopefully bring more snow to areas that have been struggling with a lack of snow.
Whether you believe in the power of Yuki-onna or not is up to you.
[Bonus] Here are some ski resorts with easy access from Nakanosawa Onsen
Why not try some winter sports this winter with the snow that was piled up thanks to the prayers of Yuki-onna? We will introduce ski resorts that are easily accessible from Nakanosawa Onsen and Inawashiro Station. You can sweat it out with some winter sports and then refresh yourself in a hot spring, making for the best winter trip ever.
Numajiri Ski Resort
It is a 7-10 minute drive from Nakanosawa Onsen town. It is adjacent to Numajiri Onsen. There are plenty of spots where even children can enjoy playing in the snow, such as play parks such as "Donguri United States" and dedicated slopes for sledding. Of course, there are also plenty of courses for snowboarders.
Minowa Ski Resort
It's a 9-15 minute drive from Nakanosawa Onsen town. Once you've experienced the feeling of the crisp powder snow, you'll never forget it. The summit is 1,500 meters above sea level, and the view on a clear day is simply amazing. There are more courses for intermediate skiers, so it's recommended for those who want to ski seriously.
How about celebrating a quiet New Year with yokai, hot springs, and snow women?
When you think of countdown events, you probably think of a festive atmosphere and a lot of excitement. But Yokai Toshikoshi doesn't have the fireworks, music, or other events that are so common in countdowns.
However, it is quite stylish to welcome the New Year in a quiet and tranquil space, with Japanese monsters roaming around and watching the snow caused by the Yuki-onna. Nakanosawa Onsen is also one of the leading hot spring areas in Fukushima Prefecture, so you can warm up your cold body.
We hope to make it an annual tradition to spend New Year's in a quiet hot spring resort, away from the hustle and bustle, sightseeing and healing from the everyday fatigue. We hope you will all join us next year!
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