Shigakogen Open Season 2022 Our neighbours have started skiing in Shiga Kogen! Yokoteyama the highest ski resort in the area at nearby Shiga Kogen has officially opened on the 18th of November. The bottom of the resort is at 1750m above Sea Level and the top at a lofty 2305m so they tend to get more snow and colder temps in the early part of the season. Conditions are still marginal and looks like they have been using the Snow guns to make some extra snow but that fall last week was enough to give it the green light. Eager skiers and boarders turned out on mass yesterday to enjoy the sunshine and first tracks for the season. Shigakogen Open […]
Snow Depth Nozawa Onsen
Snow Depth Nozawa Onsen It is amazing what snow depth we get to in Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort in Japan Keep your eye on the road signs in Nozawa The below shot is after the first snowfall of the season a few days ago with about 15cm falling from reports. The above shot is peak season after about 12 meters of snow falling in total. The peak base last year up top was 480cm on the 23rd of February 2022. So that sign sits at about 5 meters above ground level. That’s the equivalent of almost 3 grown adults standing on each others shoulders. So we still have a long way to go but will be interesting to see where […]
Courier Service Nozawa Japan
Courier Service Nozawa Japan The Journey is inevitable. Baggage is optional Have lots of people contacting us asking if can send their bags up to Nozawa when arrive. The Answer is yes! The Courier service mainly handled by a company known as Black Cat or “Kuro Neko” is next level. They will get your bag from A to B in Japan in no time and at a very reasonable cost with pure Japanese efficiency. I once sent a bag from Tokyo at 7pm and it arrived in Nozawa at 9am the next morning. I would have struggled to get it there any quicker myself! It only cost 1500 yen too. All Airports in Japan have a “Takyubin” counter where the […]
Ski Course Nozawa Japan
Ski Course Nozawa Japan Who wants to improve their Skiing or Snow Boarding skills? Ski and Board Improvement courses in Nozawa Work on your Parallel Turns and Apres yarns with one of our awesome improvement courses this coming season in Nozawa. Join a group of like minded people to enjoy a week in the snow and hone your skills at the same time. Whether board or ski we are running 3 courses this season in December, February and March. Ski Course Nozawa Japan 7 Nights Accommodation, breakfast, 6 days lift passes and 4 hours a day of instruction all included from just 133,000 Yen or about $1435 per person. Great value and sure you would get a lot out of […]
Accommodation Nozawa Fire Festival
Accommodation Nozawa Fire Festival The Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival Who has seen it? Let us know what you thought it was like. The Fire Festival is a spectacle which needs to be seen to be believed. It is held on January 15th every year to pray for a plentiful harvest, health and good fortune in the coming year. The festival dates back to 1863, and has a rich and colourful history in Nozawa Onsen. During this festival the twenty-five and forty-two year old men from the village play a very important role. An old belief in Japan dictates that, for men, these years are unlucky ages. The men of the Village construct the shaden (shrine) from beech wood on the […]
Renting Powder Skis Nozawa
Renting Powder Skis Nozawa Frothing Friday from the slopes of Japan A little flashback to last season and some of the epic powder we experienced. Hope it helps get you thru those last weeks before you can take to the powder again. If it is your first time and not so use to all this light white fluffy stuff check out our little guide on choosing the right ski here ; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/news/what-is-a-powder-ski/ If looking to rent skis or boards be sure to drop in and see the friendly knowledgeable team at Nozawa Central Rentals for all your gear when in Nozawa. Here is a link to book for the upcoming season; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/ski-gear-clothing-hire/ See you in the powder. Video @heart_films always […]
Early Bird Special Nozawa
Early Bird Special Nozawa First “Magic Foot” of Snow for the Alps Up at the peak of Hotakadake mountain, the third highest mountain in Japan at 3190m above sea level they got close to 30cm of snow just yesterday! The report says there was nothing in the morning but it snowed all day and almost a foot accumulated on the doorstep of the mountain hut there. The hut is set up for Mountain climbers to stay in over the green season and it’s open for just 2 more days before going into hibernation for the Winter. Located just below the peak is the Karasawa Hutte and camping area known as Karasawa Cirque. I was up there in mid May this […]
Nozawa Gondola Open Close
Nozawa Gondola Open Close Thats a wrap for the Gondola for this Green Season in Nozawa Next time you ride it, hopefully the scene will look like this nice and white at the top when you get off. It was a spectacular array of colours in the forest canopy below the Gondola these past weeks. You can still get to the top but need to hike, ride or drive. With the cool weather it is a beautiful time to ride up and cruise down. Have many people asking when will the Ski Resort open? The official planned opening date is for Saturday the 26th of November. Last year we saw a 30th of November opening with some early falls and […]
Nozawa Onsen Main Street
Nozawa Onsen Main Street Main Street Nozawa Onsen Oyu dori The Main Street in Nozawa is pretty special to walk down anytime of year. Most nights between May and November it is like the empty shot and you could throw a bowling ball down the street but not hit a soul. In peak holiday times and most of winter though it comes to life however and the streets are bustling with people coming back from skiing and heading to an Onsen or for a bite to eat. It is a great vibe and probably one thing that makes Nozawa special compared to many other resorts. It has a real heart to the village. Many little shops and restaurants have been […]
Ski Instructor Jobs Japan
Ski Instructor Jobs Japan Ever dreamed of being a Ski or Snowboard Instructor in Japan Work in Nozawa Onsen for this coming Snow season or longer We have still got a few spots left for the coming winter in the amazing Nozawa Holidays Team. So if you are stuck in the daily grind may be time to look at a Ski Change and move the the beautiful village of Nozawa Onsen. A fantastic opportunity for some one with a passion for teaching others how to ski or board and a passion to live the snow life and become part of not just a great team but an amazing community. We need some more Instructors for the ski season from mid […]