Another day in Paradise Base at top: 125 cm Temp at Top: -4 Degrees Base at Uenotaira station: 115 cm New snow since close: 0 cm Weather: Sunshine/Clouds It is a beautiful morning in Nozawa Onsen. The sun is shining, more slopes have opened and a snowy evening is expected. Yesterday was an amazing day on the mountain. Bluebird skies and did not have to line up for a lift once. Was perfect carving conditions on piste with a lot of fun powder to play with on the sides. Paradise slope was literally a paradise. Even more slopes have opened today. Yesterday we could ski top to bottom on only green runs, now we can also do so on reds […]
Latest News from Nozawa Onsen
Snow Report 15 Dec 17
Sunshine in Nozawa! Bluebird powder day & more slopes open… could it get any better? Base at top: 145 cm Temp at Top: -5 Degrees Base at Uenotaira station: 130 cm New snow since close: 3 cm Weather: Sunshine Today will be an incredible day on the slopes with all this sunshine in Nozawa. After a few days of constant snow, the sun is shining and more lifts are open. We can now ski top to bottom. The snow finally gave us a break from falling yesterday afternoon. It is hard to complain about it snowing, but the town was submerged so it was time to bring out the shovel (take a look at Luke on the roof of Kaiya […]
Snow Report 14 December 2017
Swimming in snow. A lot can change in 24 hours, e.g. Nozawa Onsen. Base at top: 140 cm Temp at Top: -9 Degrees Base at Uenotaira station: 130 cm New snow since close: 70 cm Weather: Snowing but expected to clear up later today The base up top has DOUBLED in the last 24 hours, the town is swimming in snow, and all our arms ache from shovelling. It is wonderful. Yesterday at 1pm we were still getting fresh powder tracks on Yamabiko. Shaun, one of our prized snowboard instructors states “It was snowy. It was white. The most snow I can remember this early in the season”. That is all that needs to be said. He is still trying […]
Restaurant of the Day: Hatoguruma Kawabata
Hatoguruma Kawabata For any vegetarians or vegans, Hatoguruma is a hidden gem! They offer set dinners for ¥2000 per person, and the food is all vegetarian (or vegan on request). The incredibly welcoming local family make all their meals from local produce! However, reservations do need to be made one day prior. The family speak little English so if you need help making a reservation please ask any of our Japanese speaking staff. It can be difficult to find food that caters to vegetarians, vegans, and people with dietary needs in general in Japan. However, awareness has increased significantly even in the small town of Nozawa Onsen, and you’ll be happy to hear that there are now plenty of […]
Snow Report 13 December 17
Slopes to yourself Base at top: 75 cm Temp at Top: -8 Degrees Base at Uenotaira station: 65 cm New snow since close: 5 cm Weather: Light Snow With a fresh layer of snow and the slopes to yourself, pre-season is a dream come true. Yesterday was a pinch-me moment on the slopes. It is hard to believe that you may only see a handful of people on a run, especially with the quality of the snow. It was snowing lightly all day yesterday and will be continuing into this evening, so should hopefully get another 20cm overall. Then we are expecting two bluebird days before a massive dump on the night of the 16th when we should be getting […]
Restaurant of the Day: Hamacho Sushi
Hamacho Sushi The Plug: Sushi, what usually comes to mind when one thinks of Japanese cuisine. There is far more to Japanese food than Sushi, but a trip to Japan would just not be complete without it. Hamacho (not to be confused with Himecho, a karaoke bar which we’ll discuss on another ocassion) does some of the best Sushi and Sashimi, with a chef who takes a great deal of pride in his work. He’s always smiling and will do his best to have a chat in Japanese/English. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, offering both bar seating and Tatami mat seating. The restaurant is fairly small and doesn’t take bookings, so it’s best to pick a quieter day. Location: […]
Snow Report 12 December 17
When you wake up in silence, you know there is snow falling… Base at top: 70 cm Temp at Top: -7 Degrees Base at Uenotaira station: 50 cm New snow since close: 10 cm Weather: Light Snow This morning we woke to the town covered in a white layer of fluffy snow. If it is noticeably different down here, then we can’t wait to get up on the mountain! Firstly though, onsen time… *** VIDEO Snow Report 12 Dec 17 VIDEO*** Yamabiko, Uenotairia and the runs to mid station are currently open although with the fresh 10cm of snow overnight and it continuing to fall, there will be plenty of fun on the slopes today. With the prediction of constant […]
Restaurant of the Day: Hakunamatata
Hakunamatata! Delicious bar with Osaka Style cuisine, with a Western influence. Name: Hakunamatata The Plug: Wooden paneled, American-feel with a father and son team serving cocktails and great Japanese snack food. During the high season, they also do large meals including steak and salad and crumbed pork cutlets. Type: Osaka cuisine- kushi-katsu (deep fried skewers), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), yakisoba (stir-fry noodles) and more. Location: On the main traffic road, down hill from the post office. D7 on our town map. Open Hours: 6-11pm Reservations: yes Phone number:0269-67-0669 English: yes Vegetarian: yes Takeaway: yes Card Payment: No Smoking: No Check out this restaurant and many others on our free restaurant and bar guide https://www.nozawaholidays.com/town-map/
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 11 December 17
Sunrise before the Snowfall in Nozawa Onsen, Japan. Base at top: 70 cm Temp at Top: 0 Degrees Base at Uenotaira station: 50 cm New snow since close: 0 cm Weather: Clear start but clouds forming, expecting snow this evening. Beautiful start to the day and now we are excitedly awaiting snowfall this evening in Nozawa Onsen. We had a great day on the mountain yesterday with clear skies and fresh snow. It is still very quiet on the slopes, practically have them all to yourself, although we have more and more people beginning to arrive. Villa Nozawa opened up for the season yesterday with 20 guests arriving! Town is beginning to buzz. The mountain will be just as good […]
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report Sunday 10th December
Groomers ready to rumble for the Season ahead in Nozawa Base at top: 70 cm Temp at Top: 3 Degrees Base at Uenotaira station: 50 cm New snow since close: 0 cm Weather: Clear start but clouds forming Pretty start to the day here in Nozawa this morning. No new snow to report but will be a great day on the slopes. Clouds are forming but we aren’t expecting any new snow until tomorrow night. Yesterday was a magnificent day up there with the fresh snow nice weather. Lots of people just arriving in town were pretty excited. The `forecast ahead is still looking good with falls all week and a bigger one this time next week if comes […]