For over 50 years, a special connection has existed between St. Anton am Arlberg and the Japanese ski resort of Nozawa Onsen near Nagano. What began in 1930 with the visit of ski pioneer Hannes Schneider to Japan and continued in 1971 with the official signing of the town twinning agreement, is today a vibrant partnership that extends far beyond tourism cooperation and thus represents an outstanding example of international exchange in winter sports. From July 9th to 12th, 2026, a delegation from the Japanese ski resort will be guests in St. Anton am Arlberg, where the celebrations for the 55th anniversary of the partnership will take place on July 11th.
“The Japanese community of Nozawa Onsen is far more than just a tourism partner for us. It represents a living friendship and a source of intercultural exchange. What once began with a visit to Japan is now an integral part of our community culture and has long since become more than a formal agreement. On the 55th anniversary of our partnership, we are especially pleased to welcome our Japanese friends back to St. Anton am Arlberg,” emphasizes Helmut Mall, Mayor of St. Anton am Arlberg.
Historical pioneering spirit and cultural bridges
The relationship between the two winter sports destinations is deeply rooted in history: As early as 1930, the Arlberg ski pioneer Hannes Schneider, at the invitation of the Japanese Crown Prince, brought the Arlberg technique to Japan and led ski courses in Nozawa Onsen. This cultural and historical connection continues to shape the relationship between the two communities, which are separated by approximately 9,300 kilometers (as the crow flies).
“Over the past decades, our partnership has achieved visible milestones: from regular student and youth exchanges between St. Anton am Arlberg and Nozawa Onsen, to internships and ski instructor programs, to knowledge transfer in slope management and destination development,” adds Mall. Cultural bridges are built by traditional associations, music groups, and delegations who visit and perform together, including at significant events such as the 1995 Interski Congress in Nozawa Onsen and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. This connection is also evident in the local landscape: since 2014, a Japanese garden in the village park of St. Anton has commemorated this long-standing bond.
Shared values, shared future
Looking to the future, both destinations share clear values: hospitality, a connection to nature, and the commitment to the responsible development of winter sports. “As a transcontinental partnership between Tyrol and Nagano Prefecture, the connection between St. Anton and Nozawa Onsen demonstrates how tourism, sport, and culture strengthen sustainability – for guests, local communities, and the global winter sports family,” says Martin Ebster, Director of the St. Anton am Arlberg Tourism Association.
To mark the 55th anniversary, a delegation from Nozawa Onsen will travel to St. Anton am Arlberg in July 2026. The four-day program (July 9-12) includes a bike tour followed by lunch at the Wagner Hut on Friday, a Tyrolean evening in the Arlberg Hall, and on Saturday an excursion to the Valluga mountain with lunch at the Galzig and a hike on the “Courage Trails.” The delegation will also gain insights into energy management, hydropower, and district heating. The highlight of the visit will be the official ceremony on July 11, 2026, at the St. Anton Museum. With the arrival of the brass band, celebratory speeches, and the honoring of Mikio Katagiri, President of the Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, the partnership anniversary will be given a fitting setting.