The Sea to Summit race took place over the weekend on the nearby Chikuma River and Kosha Mountain. The race, which has participants kayaking and then hiking up a mountain, went ahead to celebrate nature despite the devastation of the recent typhoon. Although there was light rain, the race went well and high participation with people coming from all over the country to celebrate the area’s natural beauty. Check out this video for some gorgeous fall scenery and exciting clips from the race!
Latest News from Nozawa Onsen
Natural Hotsprings in Japan: Nozawa Onsen
Japan is a country filled with natural hotsprings and for centuries Japanese people have used natural hot springs for relaxation and healing. Japan has over 30,000 natural hotsprings and over 3,000 onsen resorts! Way before Nozawa became famous for skiing it was a popular place with travelers from Tokyo as a Mountain Onsen Retreat. There are 13 free onsens in Nozawa and various private ones they are all housed in beautiful traditional Japanese buildings. They are scattered all around town. Some are surrounding the Lodges and we suggest you take advantage of them. It’s a great way to experience the local culture and makes you feel terrific, with the natural minerals it is perfect after a day on the […]
Snow in Tokyo
Snow in Tokyo. Will it Snow in Tokyo this year? Yes it does snow in Tokyo a little bit most years. Over the last 70 years it has snowed on average 9.5 days a year with an average of 7.6cm in total. So not a lot normally but enough to make everything look pretty! This is of course just an average, so there are some years with lots more snow. The current record is 33 cm and was set in 1951. And in more recent years Tokyo had 27 cm in 2014 and 21 cm in January 2018. I was there in 2014 and there were people skiing down the street in Akihabara. A ” Magic Foot” in […]
Still Rooms in Nozawa for Peak Season!
It’s a perfect opportunity to book as there has just had a cancellation at Lodge Nagano for 2 beautiful Japanese Style Tatami rooms with awesome views in January. Check in ; 13th of January 2020 Check out ; 24th of January 2020 Be in Nozawa for the famous Fire Festival and for some of the best snow you will ever experience. The Fire Festival is on the 15th of January and is a celebration for a plentiful harvest, good fortune, prosperity in life and health in the next year and quite a spectacle to watch. They are perfect dates for School Holidays and the rooms are right next door to each other so great for families, together will sleep 5 […]
5 Reasons to visit Nozawa Onsen in Spring
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort in Nagano Japan is quickly becoming a favourite destination for skiers and snowboarders from all over the world and with very good reason. It has a beautiful traditional Japanese feel combined with some of the best snow conditions in the world! All this plus delicious food and streets lined with soothing Onsens or hotsprings which are free to use. Many people visit in the peak times of January and February but for some reason think that the season is over in March but that is not the case March can be some of the best skiing of the season and we also love the Spring skiing in April. 5 Reasons to visit Nozawa Onsen […]
First Snow of the Season has Hit Japan
Temperatures have been dropping across Japan, bringing the season’s first snow. Nagano received its first snow of the season just the night before last nearby in Hakuba. The Karasawa Hutte sitting at just over 2300 m received a nice dusting. It is surrounded by 4 peaks that are all over 3000m and they were looking nice and white with a fresh cover of snow too. This is however not the first snow for Japan this season. In northern Japan, Hokkaido’s Daisetsuzan park received about 5cm of snow on the 18th of September this area in Kurodake is often the first place to see snow in Japan and was nice and early this year. The first snow also fell in […]
The Power of Powder Nozawa Onsen Japan
The Power of Powder Nozawa Onsen Japan Welcome to your Sunday Snow show from Nozawa Onsen. Last weekend we were reminded of how much precipitation we can get in Japan in a very short period of time, sometimes just too much. In winter it can often feel like too much as well but can also be just right and can create a lot of excitement. This clip a lazy 50cm of fresh snow overnight. Bring on winter and Go The Cherry Blossoms in the Rugby Tonight.
Update Nozawa Onsen Japan
Update Nozawa Onsen Japan Getting back on track in Nagano Just an update on the clean up situation in Iiyama and Nagano in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis which hit the area badly just last weekend. Some great progress has been made but still a lot of work to be done and the local councils are still looking for Volunteers to help. If you can lend some time or want to donate some funds here are some links from the local JET Teachers https://naganojets.wordpress.com/2019/10/14/call-for-aid-donations-for-disaster-hit-areas/ If you are keen to come up and help great to see you and Lodge Nagano is offering free accommodation to anyone that is willing to volunteer so just drop a mail to […]
Rugby World Cup Japan
Rugby World Cup Japan Getting to the pointy end for the Rugby World Cup and just quietly haven’t the host nation Japan being doing well! The first Asian country rot make it all the way to the Quater Finals. Now facing off with the old nemesis South Africa this weekend. Just 8 teams remain and it is going to be hard to pick a likely winner at this stage Nozawa Onsen is a great place to visit in between the matches or even for the whole time. So come on up and experience Japanese Country Hospitality at its best. There are a few pubs in the village showing the games on big screens and lots of fun activities to enjoy […]
Winter Start Nozawa Japan
Winter Start Nozawa Japan Winter is coming… Nozawa Onsen could look like this in just one months time! This video from November 17th 2017. The 12 Day forecast is currently showing temps dipping below 0 degrees up top not this coming weekend but next weekend and even a chance of a dusting. As previously announced the Resort will open on Saturday Nov 23rd snow permitting. Don’t count your snowflakes before they fall but why not do a little snow dance it can’t hurt 🙂 If thinking of a little Pre Christmas Ski Trip then why not take a chance Pro’s of travelling pre December 20th: – Very Quiet on the slopes and watch the village transform – Lifts normally running […]