Latest News from Nozawa Onsen

Christmas Gift Nozawa Onsen It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The Forecast is now finally shaping up with some good size dumps expected and cold temps. Just need those seasonal Northwest systems to kick in from Siberia and the snow to arrive. Some expected tonight and more tomorrow. Friday looking like an even bigger front. Cross your toes while you are at it but things are looking up! It has even improved since first posting this and looks like we are in for a good old fashioned Snow Down!

Gondola Opens Tomorrow Nozawa Onsen Nagasaka Gondola will Roll in to Action tomorrow 22nd of December  No skiing up there yet sorry, but for guests in Nozawa you can go up and experience a little bit of Winter.  There is a decent coverage of snow up top and can play in it, take a sled ride and make a snowman with the kids.  Winter Experience Gondola Rides : From Dec. 22 (Sun) ~ until the Ski slopes open Times: 9:00 to 15:30 (Last Ride up 15:00) Price : Adults 1,500 yen, Kids 900 yen ※ Includes the return Gondola ride and 1 Free Drink at the Yamabiko Restaurant  No skis or boards allowed up there yet but can take a […]

We are operating a Shuttle to Shiga Kogen everyday with Nozawa Holidays. Shiga Kogen is probably the best option for skiing in the area now as is the highest and best snow making facilities. Here is a link to details on the shuttle to Shiga Kogen Shuttle to Ski Shiga Kogen from Nozawa Onsen But another great option a little closer to Nozawa Onsen is Ryuoo Ski Park and there is now a shuttle operating to there Shuttle Bus Nozawa Onsen to Ryuoo Ski Park From Nozawa Onsen → Ryuo Ski Park Round-trip Bus (reservation required) In order to accommodate customers who wish to ski, etc., due to unprecedented snow shortage in Nozawa ・ Period: 2019/12/18 ~ Until the day […]

Snow Update Nozawa Onsen – Shiga Kogen to the Rescue With Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort yet to open nearby Shiga Kogen has been the saviour so far this season. With the higher altitude than Nozawa, about 300m above the top here and the snow making facilities conditions have been fun there. We have been running shuttles over daily for guests to make the most of it. Some have likened it to Australia peak season but a better vertical drop! Here are more details on Shiga and other things to do Nozawa things to do now Nozawa Onsen Outlook Looking out the window it is looking like it will be a bit later season this year in Nozawa. Every year is […]

Ski near Nozawa Now Ryuoo Ski Park Ski Resort looking pretty picturesque yesterday afternoon.   Many guests have been heading to Shiga Kogen to ski but Ryuoo Ski Park is actually a bit closer just 35 minutes drive from Nozawa Onsen. Like Shiga Kogen they are at a higher elevation and also have snow making facilities. The top elevation is 1930m above Sea Level and the views are spectacular. It will be pretty nice up there today and at Shiga Kogen in the Sunshine.   Nozawa Onsen still needs more snow to open basically just waiting for one big dump! Drove up to the snow-line yesterday and could only get as far as Uenotaira due to the snow where as […]

  Nozawa is a working Village with a Ski resort. Many ski resorts are just that they were built for the skiing. Nozawa is different and was established for Centuries before the skiing was introduced 100 Years ago. It has long been a popular Mountain retreat and Onsen town for people from Tokyo and surrounds. Sometimes called the “Kyoto” of snow towns it has a unique traditional charm that many Ski Resorts lack. With beautiful temples, relaxing hot springs, amazing hiking and biking, a wide range of delicious restaurants and friendly welcoming locals there is a lot to enjoy besides just the skiing. This is even more important now when the snow has not yet arrived yet in Nozawa there […]

The Snow Monkeys are Back… Snowing very lightly in Nozawa this morning and the clouds are covering the top but looks like had a little bit of a dusting overnight. Temperatures have been pretty cold, cold enough for the famous Snow Monkeys to take to the Onsen in nearby Jigokudani. After the big typhoon in October many of the monkeys disappeared from the area and there were concerns about their return. But they are back in force now and enjoying the hot spring baths and familiar surrounds. There are daily tours to the Snow Monkeys from Nozawa Onsen and a great day out anytime of the season and particularly now while waiting for the snow to arrive. Here is a […]