Last Snow Next Snow Nozawa Japan Last of the snow up top in Nozawa Definitely warming up in Nozawa and Summer is just a few days away. We have even seen some 30 degree days down in the village. As always it has stayed cooler up top but the last of the snow is now melting and making its way to the mountain streams. A few guys headed up for no doubt the last turns in Nozawa this year can check out the video here. The good news is only 6 months until the next winter snow arrives! There has also been talk that international travel will return by the end of the year. Maybe even earlier between Japan […]
Nozawa Onsen Summer
Japan Pays Tourists Way
Japan Pays Tourists Way The International Travel picture is still unclear however many countries around the globe are beginning to emerge from the Corona Pandemic and keen to get economies back on track. Japan has done an amazing job at attracting tourists to its shores over the past decade. When first arriving in Japan 30 years ago I was still seen as a novelty. There were not many foreign guests at all visiting Japan. Now Japan is one of the top destinations on peoples travel lists for skiing or just to experience this amazing country and all it has to offer. Japan Pays Tourists Way The Japanese economy has become very reliant on Tourism as an Industry. Like many countries […]
Book Ski Japan Free Cancellation
Book Ski Japan Free Cancellation New Gondola Construction a Birds Eye View An interesting view of all the work going on in Nozawa at the moment to get the new Gondola up and running for next season. With usual Japanese efficiency they are wasting no time and things are looking good. The route had already been cleared last summer and some of the pylons had gone in now the whole rig is gong on up the line. Will keep you posted on updates over the summer, it is going to be a great short 8 minute ride to the top and we really hope you can join us some time next season with some talk of borders opening up early […]
Ogama Cooking Onsen Nozawa
Ogama Cooking Onsen Nozawa A different take on the Sunday roast Ogama cooking onsen in Nozawa is a truly atmospheric place. With the steam rising out of the boiling hot pools and the local villagers keeping busy cooking up mountain vegetables, eggs and all sorts of other vegetables. The scene looks amazing in mid winter covered by deep snow but just as beautiful at this time of year. It has been the place of a few marriage proposals over the years. Onsens in Nozawa Onsen There are 5 pools for cooking at Ogama and all a little different depending on what the locals are trying to cook. At the moment there is a lot of Nozawana the famous local […]
Resorts reopen Nagano Japan
Resorts to reopen Japan – Back on the slopes in Nagano The State of Emergency has been lifted in Nagano and many other prefectures around Japan. Just baby steps but it means Nagano Ski Resorts including Nozawa are able to open for Summer activities like Mountain Biking and Hiking. Will be good to get back in the mountains for some fresh mountain air. Nearby Yokoteyama Ski Resort in Shigakogen has opened back up for skiing! Just 1 hour from Nozawa it is the highest resort in Japan the top sitting at just over 2300m above Sea Level, means there is still a bit of snow to enjoy on the runs. This shot from yesterday, some beautiful views. Nozawa Onsen Ski […]
Walls of Snow Japan
Walls of Snow Japan Amazing empty streets of snow. The mind blowing ice walls of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route are very quiet this year. This annual phenomenon which takes place in Tateyama just over 2 hours from Nozawa Onsen is impressive and something you should try and see once in your life. The walls of snow can reach a staggering 15 meters high and a testament to how much snow the region can get over a winter. At this time of year the snow lined streets are usually bustling with hikers and tourists eager to travel thru the mountain maze. This year like many place the streets are closed and this is the scene up there currently. […]
Line up Nozawa Gondola
New line up for the Gondola Who used to line up for first tracks in the old Nagasaka Gondola station? After a big dump the boards and skis would almost go out the door with eager powder hounds lining up to get amongst the fresh snow as early as possible in the morning. Now the old building is being dismantled bit by bit to be replaced with a flash new building and Gondola set to open next season. The new stairs I have heard will actually be an escalator heading up from opposite Mt Dock where Glatt tuning station is now so will be an easier access with no need to climb any stairs. Maybe the Congo line […]
Lost and Found Nozawa
Lost and Found Nozawa Buried Treasure in Nozawa Hiking in the mountains around Nozawa in Spring is amazing and you can find all sorts of surprises mainly in the nature with flowers, trees and a wide array of plants coming to life. Beneath the meters of snow there can also be some other treasures waiting to be found. In the early 90’s in the Nozawa Ski Patrol we even had a name for it “Keri” and back in the Japan boom times we used to find all sorts of riches. Money, Zippo Lighters, and lots of odd skis even the occasional set that people had just given up on. When it dumps in Nozawa we sometimes get up to 1 […]
Spring Time Nozawa Japan
Spring Time Nozawa Japan The Four Seasons of Japan still continue to blow me away. So distinct, so different and so defined. Like Japanese Trains they really run like clockwork. If tomorrow is the official start of spring then more often than not things will start to change from tomorrow. Both the landscape and the people’s mind set, it is quite miraculous to observe. I am not sure I have a favourite Season in Japan all are beautiful in their own way and all have benefits and novelties that are amazing to experience. Spring Time Nozawa Japan Four Seasons of Japan Winter – well for most that’s an easy one with the snow and the skiing. The landscapes are amazing […]
Ski Japan 2021
Ski Japan 2021 Kodomo no Hi or Children’s day today in Japan Kids Day is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5 and is the final celebration of the Golden Week holidays. It is a day set aside to respect kids individual personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948, however it has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times. They put up the flying carp (Koi Nobori) because legend had it that a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon and flies to Heaven so basically that kids will grow strong and lead good lives. Every year my elderly neighbour puts up […]