Holiday Nozawa Onsen Japan

Quiet before the storm! Quiet before the storm!     Despite the overcast skies, visibility on the mountain is great today, with a chance of the sun peeking through—perfect conditions! Yesterday, the ceremonial log race at Hikage drew a lively crowd, all reveling in the festive spirit of the Dosojin Fire Festival. Today marks the start of the shrine (Shaden) construction, crafted from beech wood brought down from the mountain. By evening, the shrine will be ready, setting the stage for tomorrow’s grand ceremonies starting at 7 PM.     Here’s the detailed schedule for anyone attending: * 7 PM: Ceremonies start, with the fire lit using flintstone by an appointed villager. * 7:30 PM: Newborn sons and daughters of […]

Celebrating the Start of Dosojin! Celebrating the Start of Dosojin! It’s almost time to kick off the Dosojin Fire Festival festivities! 🔥🎉 Today marks the start of the celebrations with the epic log-dragging competition beginning at 1 PM at Hikage Station. Watch as the massive logs are carried by hand with nothing but ropes, manpower, and plenty of sake 🍶 to keep spirits high. The procession will make its way from Hikage Gondola Station, past Nagasaka Gondola Station, and down towards the fire festival site at the bottom of the village. It’s a spectacle not to be missed, showcasing the incredible energy and determination of the participants, all while honoring the traditions of Nozawa Onsen.     As we enjoy […]

Mild Day with Stunning Views Mild Day with Stunning Views     Today, we’re looking at fairly mild weather with a mix of clouds and sunshine peeking through a thin layer of haze—it’s predicted to clear up even more by midday, making for a beautiful day on the slopes. While there’s not much snowfall today, the excellent visibility offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. At the top of Yamabiko, temperatures hover around -10°C, with a light southerly breeze expected to shift northwest later tonight. This change in winds promises another white delivery arriving Monday morning! Yesterday was nothing short of amazing, with plenty of sunshine and fantastic powder spread across the mountain. It was one of those days that […]

Powder Days & Fire Festival Powder Days & Fire Festival   The snow has been dumping non-stop this morning, creating perfect conditions to prep the slopes for today and an incredible start to the weekend! 🌨️ While the strong winds today might make visibility on the mountain a bit tricky, we’re optimistic it’ll improve as the day goes on. Recent guests have been raving about the last few days. They stated it has been their best winter holiday with top-notch snow conditions making for unforgettable runs. 🏂     Meanwhile, the town is alive with excitement as locals gear up for the iconic Dosojin Fire Festival, happening on January 15th. 🔥 The festivities are well underway, with the first phase […]

The Snow is back in Nozawa! The Snow is back in Nozawa!     Nozawa Onsen woke up to a blanket of fresh snow this morning! ❄️ With snowfall expected to continue through until Saturday, there’s plenty of powder to enjoy all week long. It’s a stunning shift from yesterday’s bluebird skies—every turn should bring boot high snow with over 20cm of fresh overnight and still going.     TODAY: 🌡️ Temperature at the top: -8° ❄️ New snow since yesterday: 21cm 🏔️ Base at the top of Nagasaka: 220cm ❄️ Snow conditions: Powder Day 🌤️ Weather: Cloudy with heavy snow early and will be on an off through the day ⛷️ Runs: All runs open except for Mukobayashi, Challenge […]

A mix of snow and sun A mix of snow and sun   Today’s forecast calls for a cloudy start, with snow showers and winds increasing throughout the day. Visibility up on the mountain is decent this morning but could change as winds pick up to 45 km/h at the top—make sure to layer up because it’s going to get chilly! 🌨️     We’re expecting a consistent moderate snowfall until Friday night, which will add to the already impressive 235cm snow base. Yesterday brought 7cm of fresh powder, and the slope conditions were chef’s kiss—crisp. A little sunshine even peeked out before the day ended behind majestic Mount Myoko. 🌅 Meanwhile, the streets of Nozawa Onsen are buzzing with […]

Big snow this week! Big snow this week!   Snow gods bring big snow this week!   ☀️ Good morning from Nozawa! The village and mountain are bathed in glorious sunshine this morning, making it the perfect time to hit the slopes and soak in those incredible views. But don’t let this calm start fool you—clouds are predicted to roll in around midday, bringing a fresh blanket of snow later today 🌨️ Forecasts suggest consistent snowfall throughout the week, with the base up top likely reaching an impressive 3 meters soon. Yesterday was nothing short of magical, with crystal-clear skies, amazing visibility, and plenty of skiers and snowboarders enjoying the sun at the scenic spots of Mt. Kenashi. If you […]

Sunny days in Nozawa Onsen ☀️ Sunny days in Nozawa Onsen   Last night’s stunning starry skies hinted at the sunny slopes we can enjoy above 1000m this morning! 🌄 While the village remains nestled under a gentle layer of clouds, the gondola ride takes you straight into the sunshine, with stunning views up top.     Check the current conditions on the webcams here: http://nozawa-onsen.com/nozawa-webcams/ Yesterday, Oyu Street came alive with our annual Guest Appreciation celebrations, where visitors and locals gathered to enjoy the vibrant beats of Taiko drums, parade of historical and traditional Nozawa Onsen attire, and a touch of the village’s rich skiing history. 🍶 The fun continued with rock-paper-scissors competition, delicious local food and sake to […]

Favourite run in Nozawa Onsen? Favourite run in Nozawa Onsen?     Nozawa has a total of 36 official courses and lots of little secret ones. The resort has one of the best verticals in Japan with 1085m difference between the top and bottom. It faces directly to the Sea of Japan so picks up a lot of snow form the amazing Lake effect that drives that cold deep Siberian powder across our slopes. With a pretty equal mix of all levels which one do you like the most? Let us know in the comments.     Check out more on the ski courses in Nozawa here; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/ski-resort/course-information/ A little bit of snow overnight nothing to bring the shovel out […]

New Year’s Magic in Nozawa New Year’s Magic in Nozawa     Happy New Year, everyone! 🌟 The first day of 2025 has arrived with a gentle snowfall, adding some magic to the village and continuing through tomorrow. Last night, we welcomed the new year with celebrations at Nagasaka Station —night skiing under the stars, dazzling fireworks, and warming drinks that brought locals and visitors together. 🍶🎆 In Japan, New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection and renewal, celebrated with prayers for good fortune and a focus on fresh beginnings. In Nozawa Onsen, this spirit is woven into the village’s traditions and unique charm.     Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for the Dosojin Fire Festival, one of Nozawa’s […]