Japan Returning to normal Japan eases domestic travel restrictions The good folk all around Japan came out in droves as the government lifted any remaining travel bands around the country related to corona yesterday. There are still various social precautions in place but people are now free to travel anywhere they like in Japan. Like many places around the world trains, buses and footpaths have slowly started to fill with people keen to get out and explore. Nozawa Onsen is also returning to normality with most of the restaurants, shops and Onsens now open for all to enjoy. There are naturally very few foreign guests around except those that were already living in Japan. The governments are however talking of […]
Accommodation Nozawa Onsen
Environmental Friendly Accommodation Japan
Environmental Friendly Accommodation Japan Has been a while since we ran our Summer vs Winter shots. Here is a good contrast for you from the roof top of the ever popular Villa Nozawa. From Winter with the white snow to now with the Green of the rice paddies and grassy slopes of Kandahar. Quite a different scene. And in the Green Season Environmental Friendly Accommodation Japan There are only a few lodges that are powered by the sun in Nozawa. It can be a big job keeping the Solar panels clear of snow over the Winter especially as we can get up to 1 meter of fresh snow overnight. But it’s all worth it to do our bit for […]
Japan Pays Tourists Way
Japan Pays Tourists Way The International Travel picture is still unclear however many countries around the globe are beginning to emerge from the Corona Pandemic and keen to get economies back on track. Japan has done an amazing job at attracting tourists to its shores over the past decade. When first arriving in Japan 30 years ago I was still seen as a novelty. There were not many foreign guests at all visiting Japan. Now Japan is one of the top destinations on peoples travel lists for skiing or just to experience this amazing country and all it has to offer. Japan Pays Tourists Way The Japanese economy has become very reliant on Tourism as an Industry. Like many countries […]
Best Apartments Nozawa Onsen
Best Apartments Nozawa Onsen Maybe these are the best apartments in Nozawa Onsen maybe we are a little biased but we have the largest range of Apartments available in the Village and the recently renovated Nozawa Gondola Apartments are hard to beat on both style and location. You can practically ski to within just 20 meters of the door and the apartments are located directly below the new main Nagasaka Gondola in Nozawa. Most importantly all this and still just a short stroll to all the restaurants, bars, shops and Onsens. We have 4 Apartments in total in the building 2 x Two Bedrooms and 2 x 3 Bedrooms all with great feel and views. Here is a link for […]
Best Breakfast Nozawa Onsen
Best Breakfasts in Nozawa Good breakfasts used to be difficult to find in Nozawa. The reason being that traditional Japanese ryokans provide breakfast along with accommodation, much like a bed and breakfast. It’s only recently that cafes and restaurants offering breakfast options have become a thing in town. To save you some hunting when you’re hungry, we’ve compiled this list of some of the best breakfasts in Nozawa Onsen. Gondola Cafe at the Ski Locker More than a rental storage, the ski locker has a relaxed vibe and coffee that is frequently hailed as ‘the best in town’. Also proud to be the very first espresso machine in Nozawa. Where: Next to Neo bar at the top road to Nagasaka […]
Back Country Touring Nozawa
Back Country Touring Nozawa Nozawa Onsen is one of the oldest and longest running Ski destinations in Japan. People first starting sliding down its slopes in 1923 and even earlier. It has a long and proud history in all skiing disciplines and has produced many Olympic level skiers in downhill, jump and cross country over the years. Infact more than any other town in Japan. Probably due to Nozawa’s strong and proud history with on piste pursuits, back country has taken a little while to get on the map. But make no mistake the surrounding terrain of Nozawa Onsen and the fast that it is one of the snowiest places on the planet make it a back country mecca for […]
Rainy Day Activities Nozawa Onsen
What to do in Nozawa on a Rainy day in Nozawa? Bad news it is raining in the Village. Good news it is snowing a little up top and the sun is coming out! So the question is what to do today? Rainy Day Activities Nozawa Onsen Nozawa is so much more than just a ski resort it is a working village that operates all year round. With amazing locals and little business that will welcome you Rain Hale or shine. You could brave the conditions and head up and will no doubt still have a ball. Maybe head high as could be snowing up top but will need to try and stay out of the wind as much as possible. […]
Ski Improvement Courses Nozawa
Ski and Snow Board Improvement Courses Nozawa Onsen Nagano Japan Ski Snowboard Improvement Courses Nozawa Japan On a one-week snow trip the time goes pretty quick. By the time you get to the snow get all your gear unpacked and sorted then hit the mountain, a few great days a few fun nights and before you know it you are packing again to head home. You often probably hear yourself say I am going to work on certain aspects of my riding ability this trip but it all becomes a snowball blur. Why not take the time out for a dedicated improvement course to get your turns and timing to the next level. This year we are running a few […]
Cooking Class Nozawa Onsen
Food is one of the major draw cards for visiting Japan! Especially in winter when the conditions are crisp and cold there is nothing better than a hot pot or nabe or a hot bowl of noodles. Japan has a great range of noodle dishes too; soba, udon and ramen are 3 of the most popular. Here is a little write up on a restaurant in Tokyo where you can make your own Ramen! In Nozawa there are also a few families that will welcome you in to their homes to make your own Soba Noodles. It is pretty cool as can see the whole process from the beginning and then enjoy a hot bowl of soba noodles you made […]
Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival
The Fire Festival is one of the three most famous fire festivals in Japan. It is held on January 15th every year to pray for a plentiful harvest, health and good fortune in the coming year. The festival dates back to 1863, and though the location has changed, the festivities remain the same. During this festival the twenty-five and forty-two year old men from the village play a very important role. An old belief in Japan dictates that, for men, these years are unlucky ages. The twenty-five and the forty-two year old men in their unlucky ages construct the shaden (shrine) from beech wood that reaches a height of 18 meters. Every year it takes 100 villagers to build […]