Nozawa Onsen, Nagano

#cherryblossom25 Nozawa Onsen is better known for skiing, but catching it during late cherry blossom season is something else entirely. Snow still dusted the upper mountains, while down in the village, cherry trees bloomed along cobbled streets and hot spring alleys. It felt like winter and spring shaking hands. I loved soaking in the free public baths (soto-yu) after a day of wandering, especially when I could look out at trees heavy with blossoms. The vibe here is old-school and super authentic — wooden ryokan, steaming streets, locals chatting outside bathhouses. My #cherryblossom25 post featured the iconic O-yu bathhouse framed with heavy sakura blooms, steam rising into the pink skies. It’s the ultimate place for people who want cherry blossoms and a taste of traditional onsen culture — no better combo.