Tokyo has often been named as one of the worlds most liveable cities and for good reason. Here is a cool little insight into Tokyo by night. Some great points that I have always found as refreshing when in Tokyo 1. Shops stay open until late every night which is very convenient if you are working or sightseeing all day. 2. Such a great range of amazing, intimate, quirky, good value and tasty places to eat and drink across the city. 3. Some fun exercising activities to get involved in or just do yourself. Grab a skateboard and ride around town! 4. A big one it is very safe! For a city of 12 million people you feel confident can […]
Latest News from Nozawa Onsen
Mitsubachi Maya another great local lodge in Nozawa Onsen
The Ikedas are the sweetest couple you will ever meet and terrific hosts. They first started to have guests from overseas stay in 1998 when they hosted the Russian Olympic Team. Born and bred in Nozawa, like many locals they work hard all year round doing a few different jobs. In the warmer months you will mainly see them in the fields tending their crops. They grow lots of rice, vegetables and their famous Tomatoes. They also run an interior business installing carpets and wallpaper and do it to perfection. Every year they also have a lot to do with building the Toro or beautiful lantern shrines that are the symbol of births in the village. Every year for the […]
Best of both worlds! Nozawa/Myoko combined March Package
Nozawa Myoko Ski Package If you have been to Nozawa before you may have sat in the gondola and looked across the valley at these good size mountains and wondered what they are like. Mt Myoko is the front mountain you see and looks impressive standing at 2454 meters above sea level. The base of the mountain consists of 4 ski resorts Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko, Ikenotaira Onsen or Myoko Suginohara linked together by shuttle bus. Delivering a great mix of terrain and that amazing amount of powder snow that we also get in Nozawa. We have teamed up with some of our friends Myoko to bring you an awesome package that you can combine our two beautiful resorts in one trip […]
Snow Surf Trip Japan
Snow Surf Trip Japan Something to contemplate on your Sunday from Japan – a Snow and Surf Trip! Japan has been known as a great snow destination for a few years now for overseas visitors. It started in the North then pretty quickly spread south thru Honshu. It is famed for some of the best powder snow you will experience anywhere on the planet along with a unique culture, amazing food and friendly locals, Japan is a great choice for your winter holiday destination. How about the waves? Surfing has also been a popular sub culture and sport in Japan for many years now but still not many overseas surfers visit her shores to explore the amazing coastline this country […]
Flashback Friday to Nozawa in the year 1991 some things change some stay the same.
This shot is a few years back 25 to be exact, taken from the Mayors place in Nozawa looking down on Jyuodo Onsen and the little Butcher shop there. If you have been to Nozawa then you have no doubt walked along this road on the way to town or the Post Office. The shop owner always collects snow out the front and makes some cool ice sculptures. The Izakaya upstairs has since gone and the paint on the building has faded a bit but the fluffy white stuff remains. The onsen too Jyuodo is one of my favourites but is super hot, perfect on those really cold nights when walking home from dinner. Can see the guy in the […]
Maruji Lodge always a favourite place to stay in Nozawa Onsen
We have been working with our good friends at Maruji for many years and have introduced many overseas skiers and boarders to stay at their lodge. Most people come back time and time again. It is a Minshiku but has a beautiful entrance with polished wooden floors and views across the valley at the end of the hall that set the scene for an awesome Nozawa experience. Tomii san the owner was an Olympic downhill champion and an all round champion guy. He was a great friend and mentor to us over the years. He sadly passed away a few years ago but his wife Eriko and her extended family have carried on the tradition and will make you feel […]
Tokyo or Kyoto? Which to visit before or after your trip to Nozawa
Many people like to tie in one or the other before or after thier ski trip to Nozawa. If you have time would be great to do both! Here is a little video that shows you a bit of Tokyo the modern capital and Kyoto the ancient capital of Japan Hope it helps with the decision…
Nozawa fun in the Summer months!
Greener pastures in Nozawa The boys on their bikes from Brisbane discovered there is more to Nozawa than the snowy months. Tony a Nozawa regular every Winter for almost 10 years now decided to grab some mates and check out the mountains of Nozawa in the summer months. They rode hundreds of kilometers, discovered many picturesque and interesting corners of the surrounding areas and enjoyed a few cold beers at the end of the day. They also saw some of the local wild life and had fun with lots of the locals. Checked out many of the nearby lakes, rice paddies and mountain roads. Enjoyed a summer festival, ate at the road stalls and experienced the warm hospitality of Japan. […]
Cooking Class Nozawa Onsen
Food is one of the major draw cards for visiting Japan! Especially in winter when the conditions are crisp and cold there is nothing better than a hot pot or nabe or a hot bowl of noodles. Japan has a great range of noodle dishes too; soba, udon and ramen are 3 of the most popular. Here is a little write up on a restaurant in Tokyo where you can make your own Ramen! In Nozawa there are also a few families that will welcome you in to their homes to make your own Soba Noodles. It is pretty cool as can see the whole process from the beginning and then enjoy a hot bowl of soba noodles you made […]
New Years Dump that kept on giving in Nozawa
Flashback Friday – Two Seasons ago we had 2 lovely Dutch girls come and visit us just after they New Years and they scored big in Nozawa! I remember they arrived in a Blizzard and it just kept going for days. They were supposed to leave to go to Myoko but could not drag themselves away from the waist deep dumps of fresh powder daily! Here is a little report and some photos of their stay http://wepowder.com/forum/topic/185248 Also a link to the report on the day they took that shot! http://www.lodgenagano.com/blog/magic-foot-delivers/ So if want to put yourself in the picture for this coming season better get booking!