A Solitary Paddle a great way to cool down on a hot day in Nozawa The mercury has been heading up the last few days in Nozawa and it is getting hot! Luckily there are some cool escapes in Nozawa, this little lake just a few kilometres away. You can also hike or ride up to the top at Yamabiko and it is always a few degrees cooler than in the village. We have the morning markets on in town today too if want to take a wander down. There are also some amazing hiking trails in the forest up behind this lake. You can hike up to a mountain temple and even walk all the way back to Nozawa […]
Flash Back Friday – 10th of January 2011- Book Early if coming January
Remember this day coming out of the Nagasaka Gondola building and looking to the right and seeing this perfection on the Kokenashi course. With the trees sparkling and 20cm of fresh snow. We had had a few good dumps in a row then. It was a Monday so no one around and still not many overseas guests in those days so was nice and empty for a perfect blue bird day. Here is the report http://www.lodgenagano.com/blog/snow-show-continues-in-nozawa-onsen/ Many people come up in mid January now and this is what you can usually expect for conditions. January generally tends to be the month that we get our most snow fall overall, but it is also the busiest month. If you are thinking […]
The Four Seasons of Nagano and Nozawa Onsen
All this talk about the Green season it is important to note Japan has 4 very distinct seasons. Something you don’t get in all parts of the world and one of the attractions for somewhere like Nozawa Onsen as it is amazing to experience the dramatic changes between each season. Like most things in Japan it is usually pretty much like clockwork too and the mood, temperature, colours and textures all seem to change when they are supposed to – 4 times of the year. I love experiencing all 4 seasons and the amazing changes that take place in the surrounding nature. Check out this great little video on the Four Seasons of Nagano
Flashback Friday from Nozawa Onsen
This photo was taken on 15th of December 2014 when we were getting totally buried by several heavy snow storms. We got 3 meters of snow in 4 days! December is just over 6 months away better start training….
Nozawa to Okinawa – Better pack the Snorkel!
Come in April and combine the snow and a snorkel! You wont need a snorkel for the powder then but you will if you venture to the south of Japan and the tropical islands surrounding Okinawa. Japan is a long chain of islands it extends 3008 km from North to South and made up of a staggering 6852 Islands, only 430 of which are inhabited. That leaves a lot of islands left to explore! Also it can mean a huge temperature difference between the North and the South. Especially in April when Spring arrives. Many of the seasonal crew from Nozawa this season headed south this April just as we were still getting a few last falls of snow! Nozawa […]
Snow Dreaming from Nozawa Onsen – Book it for real now!
As you sit working away at your desk bet you are thinking I would rather be skiing! This little clip should help you get your snow fix on. Put together by Classic Resorts and the tourist board we work with and some amazing skiers from France. Pretty good karaoke singers too! Anyway if you like what you see better get on and book your next ski escape now! Check out the great new video below http://www.zapiks.fr/freeski-friends-ep12-japan-2.html
Places to stay in Tokyo before or after your holiday in Nozawa Onsen
Guests coming up to ski in Nozawa often pass thru Tokyo on the way or way home, and why wouldn’t you it is an amazing city of 12 million people and quite an eye opener after spending some time in our little town of 4000 people. Crazy that this metropolis is only 2 hours away by Bullet train now from Nozawa Onsen. People are often asking us where is a good place to stay in Tokyo and there are a lot of options. Amazingly though they do tend to fill up pretty quick especially at peak times. With the Rugby World Cup in 2019 then the Olympics in 2020 the powers to be say that Tokyo is just going to […]
Shout Mum a trip to ski in Japan for Mothers Day!
Your Mum, your kid’s Mum and even your Mother in Law all deserve a holiday! Bet she would love Nozawa Onsen whether she skis or not. Hopefully like my dear Mum at 76 she is still very keen on sliding down the slopes and if she does you will be in her good books for ever if surprise her with a snow holiday to Nozawa this coming season. Even if she does not ski or board Nozawa is one of the few resorts that offers so much more. Here are a few things that Mum can enjoy while you are out there in the elements; Onsens there are 13 free ones in the Village and some great private ones too. […]
End of April Magic. Nozawa hit with a late dump!
In a somewhat bizarre chain of events we got hit with a 10cm plus dump of snow up top at Yamabiko thru yesterday and last night! Gab Sutter our resident Swiss ski guru sent me this report from the top of Yamabiko yesterday Probably One of the most strange ski days i ever had… Foggy, hail, gusts, slushy but powdery, wet but snowy but still fantastic to get out there… Ski Patrol shoveled Some Snow on the Track for us too… What a Service…. Along with this little video Last Day Nozawa Check out the web cams this morning it looks pretty nice up there and with lifts now closed if you can get up there you will get […]
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report. The Last day of the Season!
Always a shame to see the last chair taken off the cable at the end of the winter season but at the end of today that is exactly what will happen. Firstly a big arigatou to all the lifties, resort, restaurant, lodge and rentals staff. Everyone that works hard to make Nozawa a great place to visit. Many will now start working on the fields with farming rice and other vegetables the other big industry in the village. Mostly thank you to everyone that visited Nozawa Onsen this year and had a great time. It was a pleasure having you all to stay, we hope you enjoyed your snow holiday and hope to see you back again soon. As most […]