Boxing Day Nozawa Japan Half a Meter of Snow overnight for Nozawa Boom and just like that the whole scene can change in Nozawa. The snow tap has been turned firmly on the last few days and a Christmas gift of 50cm last night adding to the cheer. Scenery around town is like the Nozawa Winter we know so well, with cars and paths quickly disappearing. Up on the slopes will be magic today with all this fresh snow and should be reasonably quiet being a week day before the New Years break. TODAY: Temperature at the top; -6 degrees New snow since yesterday; a Fabulous 50cm! More than a Magic Foot! Base at the top; 90cm Snow conditions; […]
Accommodation Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa season ramps up
Nozawa season ramps up Yesterday gave us a sweet little taster of the epic season that’s to come up at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort. It was snowing for most of the day but that didn’t deter many Nozawa locals and visitors alike from getting lap after lap up on Yamabiko. Skier’s right provided some fresh powder to ride your own line through if you were lucky! TODAY: Temperature at the top; -6 degrees with a windchill down as low as -15 New snow since yesterday; 0cm Base at the top; 30cm Snow conditions; Fresh powder! Please continue to watch out for stones and any bushes or trees protruding from the snow, especially as the day continues and the run gets […]
Nozawa Onsen Restaurant Bookings
Nozawa Onsen Restaurant Bookings Tips Restaurants Nozawa Onsen Most of the year you can get into a restaurant in Nozawa no problem but at busy times there is a bit of competition to get in to the popular restaurants. Have a look at our new Restaurant Guide for Nozawa with lots of tips and reviews of most of the delicious places to eat in town. Restaurant and Bar Guide Nozawa Onsen A few tips get in early or late, get off the main drag, head to the big places like Kongo Night Market and Sparena if want to be sure to get a seat, book a night ahead when out and about. Get in Early! Most people eat around […]
Onsen Etiquette Nozawa Village
Onsen Etiquette Nozawa Village The mountains today are shrouded in a thick white coating of mist and it’s softly raining in Nozawa Onsen. I saw a rainbow outside of my window this morning. The below-freezing temperatures up top should result in around 10cm of snow today! In the meantime, let’s talk about Onsen etiquette in Nozawa Village. There are 13 free traditional Onsens, formed from natural hot springs. An Onsen, aka. the Japanese version of a hot tub or spa pool is the perfect place to relax each day and defrost from the cold, while we eagerly await the season’s start. Trying out an Onsen for the first time can be an intimidating experience. There are a few rules and […]
Nozawa winter has arrived
Nozawa winter has arrived If you’re in Nozawa Onsen already, I recommend making the most of the glorious sunshine today and heading out for a walk. Nozawa winter has arrived! Although most of yesterday’s snow is melting away, the village is looking picturesque. Water is trickling from rooftops. The sun’s heat is turning the white-sugar dusting of snow on the tree tops into snow glitter falling from the leafy branches. You might be able to manage a ski or board down Hikage, which has a new nice layering of fresh snow. You’ll have to hike to the top of the run though! Yamabiko looks good on the live snow cams with the new snow up top mixing nicely with the […]
First Snow Nozawa Onsen
First Snow Nozawa Onsen It’s day two of winter in Japan and the morning has brought fresh first snow Nozawa Onsen! Since 11 o’clock this morning, our favourite winter sight has been falling from the sky, dusting Nozawa Onsen in white. The morning started with a blue sky and sunshine peaking through scattered clouds but as the day rolled along, dark-grey cloud cover descended on Nozawa Onsen. It’s the first snow in the village of the season. Fingers crossed this is a very good sign for an epic winter to come! Usually, on average, it’s the third snow of the season that sticks around so we are now on our way. The resort is making the most of the freezing […]
Places to stay Nozawa
Places to stay Nozawa The 1st of December and the first day of Winter in Japan We are waking to a dusting of snow up top at Yamabiko and on the surrounding higher peaks. Checking the web cams and the resort has the snow guns blasting away up there too. With about 20cm expected in the next 24 hours I wonder if they are quietly hoping they may get open on Saturday. It will be a stretch but you never know we may get more than forecast, it has happened before 🙂 Looking ahead and temps will remain reasonably cold up top sitting below 0 degrees most days with snow marks here and there. If planning a ski trip to […]
Resorts Open Early Japan
Resorts Open Early Japan Harvesting the Veggies in Nozawa before they end up in the cool room. We have had some beautiful sunny days lately and as always helpful with getting work done before the season starts. Conditions look set to change from tomorrow afternoon with a West/ North West wind change dropping temps by over 10 degrees and taking the freezing level down. Resorts Open Early Japan Rain up top will turn to snow and a decent fall forecast for Friday night. Not sure it will be enough to get the lifts turning but with cold temps they can no doubt get the snow making happening too. Stay tuned it is early days. Resorts currently open in the […]
Best Coffee Nozawa Onsen
Best Coffee Nozawa Onsen Getting your morning fix in Nozawa Where is your favourite Coffee in Nozawa? Cold Winter, Hot Coffee or if prefer Hot Chocolate. They kind of go hand in hand and nothing better to warm the soul than a hot brew on a snowy day. For years it was hard to get a good cuppa in Nozawa and I remember people begging us to get a decent coffee Machine. So we did, about 10 Years ago I am guessing, we put it at Nozawa Central and it was the first espresso machine in town. As people’s love of coffee grew in Japan and around the world Nozawa followed and before long there were plenty of places to […]
Shigakogen Open Season 2022
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 […]