Latest News from Nozawa Onsen

Base at top: 160 cm Temp at Top: -9 Degrees Base at Uenotaira: 130 cm New Snow since close: 0 cm        Weather: Blue skies for the moment, possible snow flurries The sun is shining brightly over Nozawa this morning. After 15 odd centimetres of snow yesterday, the pistes should be groomed to perfection. We’re glad to have seen some snow falling yesterday to make up for what we didn’t get on Saturday. Looking at the webcams now, it looks like it’ll be a beautiful day up on the slopes; clear skies in every direction, though the forecast is predicting snow showers during the day… A nice dusting of snow could be heading our way. Westerly to North-Westerly […]

Base at top: 165 cm Temp at Top: -8 Degrees Base at Uenotaira: 130 cm New Snow since close: 10 cm        Weather: moderate snow and moderate fog The great piste conditions and the nice weather up on the hill made up for an unfortunate turn of events in the skies yesterday. Our predicted dump of 30cm never materialised and we were left with not a whole lot in the way of snow. As for now, well it’s been snowing moderately for a few hours and we’ve got a fresh coating of 10cm on the mountain. Snow is expected to fall through till the afternoon, though we can’t say that for certain as this storm seems to be […]

Name: Hamacho Sushi Location: D5 on our town map, next door to Wanryu and The Corner Steakhouse. 50 metres down the road opposite the alcohol shop.   Type of Restaurant: Sushi and Sushimi   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 Sushimi, 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. […]

Base at top: 165 cm Temp at Top: -8 Degrees Base at Uenotaira: 130 cm New Snow since close: 5 cm        Weather: Heavy snow and moderate fog Snow clouds moving in What we thought would be a snowy day yesterday, turned out to be a fairly mild day with some occasional cloud. With our base reading on the rise, things are only looking better for us with heavy snow forecast to fall throughout the day. The clouds have already laid down 5cm of fresh up the top and we’re just starting to see it accumulate down here in the village. The skies are looking promising, with around 30cm still forecast to come down during the day. Visibility […]

A great place for your first night out in Nozawa. They have plenty to choose from and it’s fairly close to our accommodations. Name: Wakagiri Location: E6 on our town map – One of the first you come to when heading into town from Lodge Nagano, Central, or Villa Nozawa. It is down a little lane way on the right in an A frame shaped entrance. Type of food: Japanese Te Shoku or Meal with different bowls and Sushi The Plug: This is often a great place to start when you first get to town. It is a Large place with a good English menu and great selection. The staff are all great especially their little 3 year old, the […]

Name: Neo Bar   Location: F8 on the town map – Next to Ski Locker; ski down from the Nagasaka Gondola base station about 200 meters. Type of Bar: Après bar/snack restaurant The Plug: A fun atmosphere with a great group of friendly staff. With direct access from the slopes, it’s a great place to go for an après drink or a bite to eat. Though called a bar, they have a substantial food menu for a bar, with some delicious snacks and meals. Food is served from 2.30pm til 9pm daily and they do the best crepes in town. They also do a traditional Nabe hot pot upon booking a day before. Definitely a favourite for everyone who’s tried […]

Himatsuri is easy to get to and has some of Nozawa’s more refined c. Name: Himatsuri Location: F4 on the town map – At the end of the main street, O-yu Dori, opposite the grand O-yu Onsen Type of Bar/Restaurant: Bar and Modern Japanese Izakaya The Plug: Having just opened last season, the Himatsuri, meaning Fire Festival, brings a bit of style to the main street. Great décor and outlook into the snow covered trees. Owned by the same guys that own Foot bar, they have taken Après Ski to the next level. There is also a classy restaurant upstairs if you want something different though it is a bit pricy by Nozawa Standards. The Kaiseki style dining (many small […]

Name: Daimon Soba Location: E5 on our town map Type of food: Soba Buck Wheat Noodles The Plug: The family at Daimon is 3rd Generation Soba Makers, and it is a real art. It is a family business with husband and wife and all the kids working together. Great value and healthy sumptuous meals. Lots of local specialties to stimulate your interest. Keiko san the owner is also a master at the Japanese Art of Shuji – writing Japanese Characters. She can write your name in Kanji and have it printed on a T-shirt to take home as long as you have a few days. Great memory of your trip to Nozawa. Her son is a Champion Ski Jumper you […]

With this heavy snow falling, we’ve chosen somewhere warm and cosy for today’s restaurant recommendation. A local favourite which you may have not noticed as it’s a bit hidden with a large selection of all sorts of Japanese cuisine Name: Tsukshinbo Location: Underground, just right of the O-yu Onsen along the main street. F5 on our town map. Type of food: Izakaya Japanese dining The Plug: With plenty of dishes to choose from, Tsukushinbo has something to cater for everybody. There is both a Japanese and English menu, with staff speaking multiple languages. Tsukushinbo makes for an easy and enjoyable night out, with dishes that you may not find anywhere else in Nozawa. As for drinks, they have draft beer […]