Spring Skiing with Clear Skies Spring Skiing with Clear Skies Nozawa Onsen awoke to yet another beautiful, sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky. Those that go up for the second to last day of the season are sure to be greeted with stunning views and agreeable temperatures. While the season is winding down to an end, there’s still time to get some spring runs in. Yesterday, conditions were sunny and slushy but the slopes were lively with Golden Week visitors. The snow park on Yamabiko remains a fun way to switch things up! The last two days have marked the beginning of the weekend morning market in downtown Nozawa, with local businesses and farmers lining […]
Nozawa Onsen Summer
Last Days of Spring Skiing
Last Days of Spring Skiing Last Days of Spring Skiing Today’s thick fog on the mountain didn’t stop anyone from enjoying the last days of Spring slush! Despite the poor visibility on the slopes and a chill that visited Nozawa this morning the freshly groomed runs made the trip up the mountain worth a while. Yesterday’s condition of the snow was excellent for carving down the Yamabiko slopes similar to what we’re seeing this morning. Conditions however might change quickly turning the snow wet and slushy with temps on the rise from Thursday night. Clear skies predicted from tomorrow morning until the weekend should give us with some stunning views to admire from the top of the mountain. […]
Overcast Days in Nozawa
Overcast Days in Nozawa Overcast Days in Nozawa After a short suspension of the Nagasaka Gondola this morning due to strong winds we are now back and running! There is a thick layer of fog that has settled over the mountain limiting the visibility up at Yamabiko for riding. Yesterday we had a cool overcast day, with lots of fun being enjoyed by all! These slushy conditions are persisting throughout our April, extending the winter fun. Expect similar overcast conditions today, with less visibility up top. Our forecast is predicting the potential for clearer skies later on in the afternoon. As always, stay safe and enjoy! Overcast Days in Nozawa ⛅️TODAY: Temperature at […]
Finally T-Shirt weather in Nozawa
Finally T-Shirt weather in Nozawa Finally T-Shirt weather in Nozawa Yesterday was the first day since about October that I was comfortable to wear a T-Shirt in town. Have seen a few other crazy people bearing their arms earlier in the season but yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. Great day to clean the snow off the solar panels and get them to work. On the hill was also awesome especially early the snow up top was beautiful with views to match. Naturally it got slushy later but a fun day was had by all. Today should be more of the same. Fairly busy weekend with the Top to Bottom race happening tomorrow. It is probably the last […]
Half a meter March Nozawa
Half a meter March Nozawa Half a meter March Nozawa Half a meter of snow for mid March in Nozawa! Report just in from the resort and they are reporting 45cm of fresh snow for the top at Yamabiko. We didn’t get anywhere near that in town but up top with the colder temps looks like was going hard all night. The base has also jumped to a new peak for the season at 280cm! Not bad for spring skiing. It is heavy in the village but at -5 degrees up top it is sure to be good up there so get high as soon as can. Have not heard on the gondola opening yet but think will […]
Cheap Long Stay Japan
Cheap Long Stay Japan Amazing Autumn in all it’s glory in Nozawa Yesterday marked the last day of the Nagasaka Gondola Operation for the Green Season and didn’t Mother Nature put on a show. Amazing how fast the bright greens of Summer morphed into the rich reds, orange and yellows of Autumn. Truly spectacular to view the canopy from above as you ride up in the gondola. The glass bottom floors giving that extra Birds Eye view. Awesome time of year to be in Nozawa with great weather and not too many people about. We are doing some awesome long term deals too at this time of year. You could rent a two bedroom apartment for as little as 120,000 […]
Hiking Kamikochi from Nozawa
Hiking Kamikochi from Nozawa Climbing and Hiking now is the best season in Japan Everyone loves the mountains of Japan in winter when the slopes are beautifully covered in fresh Japanese Powder snow. However for many right now Autumn is the best time to explore the amazing mountains of Japan. Living in Nagano we are blessed with being right in the middle of the Southern and Northern Alps. With towering 3000 meter plus peaks in all directions there is a wealth of hiking options to explore. The amazing Shinetsu Trail is right on our doorstep just across the valley and makes for a great Multi day hike while staying in Nozawa. It is 80km long and goes over 16 passes, […]
Powder Flowers Nozawa Onsen
Powder Flowers Nozawa Onsen Powder or Flowers which do you prefer? Another great Summer vs Winter contrast taken in the same spot down a small alleyway in Nozawa Onsen. The photos were taken 6 months apart and amazing the difference. The first with the snowy scene in late February and the second a week or so ago in the warmth of Summer. Up top next week could see the mercury drop as low as 3 degrees as the march into Winter begins. The beautiful fall or “Koyo” will start to unravel soon too and a beautiful time to explore the surrounding mountains. Nozawa is definitely a destination for all seasons check out more on Autumn in Nozawa here; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/nozawa-onsen-summer/autumn-travel-nozawa-japan/
Nozawa Onsen Summer Festival
Nozawa Onsen Summer Festival Nakao Festival on fire Nozawa has 13 distinct districts or neighbourhoods known as Ku’s. Each Ku is a collection of houses and lodges that cluster around one of the 13 free Onsens in the village. The community work together to clean and take care of the Onsen houses, the streets, organise festivals and generally care for one another. It is a unique and very caring community that is rare to find not only in Japan but anywhere in the world. Nakao is the biggest Ku in area and numbers and the residents are very proud of their territory and traditions. It is the area just below the Karasawa ski lift and Hachiman Shrine on the south […]
Summer Activities Nozawa Japan
Summer Activities Nozawa Japan The last month of Summer August is here and it is officially the last month of Summer. The rainy season has passed and now is the best time to enjoy all the Summer activities Nozawa and the surrounding areas have to offer. – Hiking the trails around Nozawa and further afield to some impressive Mountain Peaks Mountain Biking, the Gondola is open to drop you to the top and cruise down the trails Swimming, Paddling, or just admiring all the lakes, streams and rivers in the area. Canyoning too Summer sports like Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Gate ball, Summer skiing and more We have Yoga and Hiking Retreats coming up from September too as things start to […]