Cherry Blossoms in Matsumoto Due to strong winds, the mountain is unfortunately closed today. The weather tomorrow is also expected to have some high winds, cloudy skies and chances of rain. The good news, however, is that the forecast estimates some snowfall on Saturday and Sunday! With Monday looking like it’ll be back to clear skies and sunny days again. In other good news, the cherry blossoms are currently in full bloom in the city of Matsumoto! Located just an hour and a half from Nozawa Onsen, Matsumoto is breathtaking this time of the year. Be sure to visit Matsumoto Castle and watch the sunset at Koboyama Park for an unforgettable experience. You can check out the best places to […]
Activities Nozawa Onsen Japan
Nozawa Skiing in April
Nozawa Skiing in April Good morning Nozawa Onsen! Today is a great day to grab your skis and snowboards and head up to the top of the mountain. It is now April but there is still plenty of snow coverage on top of the mountain with lots of fun to be had! Accomodation options and ski equipment hire is still available in Nozawa Onsen. Check out this recent short clip of everyone basking in the spring snow; https://www.facebook.com/nozawaonsenjapan/videos/ Today is expected to have cloud coverage along with beautiful spring sunshine. TODAY: Temperature at the top; Yamabiko 6 degrees New snow since yesterday; 0cm Base at the top; 140cm Snow conditions; There is still a good amount of snow cover on […]
Snow Monkeys in Spring
Snow Monkeys in Spring Snow monkeys in springtime! Just a 50-minute drive from Nozawa Onsen is Nagano’s Snow Monkey Park. The Japanese macaques are the only monkeys in the world that love to bathe in a hot spring, especially during the colder months. You can go to see the snow monkeys at any time of the year with the monkey park being open all year long. We had a blast seeing the snow monkeys in springtime. Not only are they cute and cheeky, they are truely mesmerising animals. Travelling from Nozawa Onsen to see them was well worth the trip for us! Find more information on Jigokudani’s Snow Monkey Park here; https://jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/ Another sunny day is ahead of us here in […]
Snowboard Masters Winners 2023
Snowboard Masters Winners 2023 And that’s a wrap on the 2023 Snowboard Masters Contest! Congratulations to all of the competitors who competed this year. The talent this year was unreal. This year’s female winners: THIRD PLACE: Ruki Tomita SECOND PLACE: Misa Honda FIRST PLACE: Yuka Fujimori This year’s male winners: THIRD PLACE: Hironori Nagata SECOND PLACE: Wataru Okamoto FIRST PLACE: Yuri Okubo More information on the Snowboard Masters contest can be found here; https://snowboardmasters.jp/ Another sunny day is ahead of us in Nozawa Onsen. There are still many people enjoying the beautiful Nozawa Spring on the slopes! TODAY: Temperature at the top; Yamabiko 3 degrees New snow since yesterday; 0cm Base at the top; 150cm Snow conditions; Snow is slowly […]
Snowboard Masters Last Day
Snowboard Masters Last Day It’s the last day of the Snowboard Masters today! Riders have been showing off their skills and it has been a spectacle to watch over the last few days. All competitors have really given it their all with audiences enjoying watching the talent this year. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the announcement of award results happening at 4pm this afternoon. You can read all of the information on the Snowboard Masters here; https://snowboardmasters.jp/ TODAY: Temperature at the top; Yamabiko 3 degrees New snow since yesterday; 0cm Base at the top; 160cm Snow conditions; Snow on the base Hikage area is disappearing. However, snow cover higher up is still very good! Weather; Nice and sunny with the middle […]
Late March Snow Nozawa
Late March Snow Nozawa A little blast from Winters past today in Nozawa Had the fire on last night for the first time in a while as the mercury dropped in the village. Waking up to the resort reporting 9cm of fresh snow up top at Yamabiko overnight. With temps sitting at -2 degrees and should remain cool most of the day we are in for a pleasant winter treat on the mountain today. The last few days have been a bit bleak but for those that braved the elements they still managed to have a good time on the slopes. Weekend crowds will be all gone today and it should be a bit of a private ski resort. Check […]
Live Gigs Nozawa Onsen
Live Gigs Nozawa Onsen More March Sunshine today in Nozawa Beautiful spring morning here with the sun rising over the mountains and beautiful clear skies. Temps sitting at about 5 degrees but think will be a warm one ahead under this bright sun. Yesterday cloud cover most of the afternoon kept the slopes nice and fast up the top and the place to be was in the natural half pipes up at Yamabiko. This time of year that area really comes into its own and carving under the birch trees is all day fun. Lots of live Music and events on around town these days as the locals come out and everyone has more time to indulge. The ever popular […]
Ski Cherry Blossoms Japan
Ski Cherry Blossoms Japan Spring Equinox Day in Japan Today is a public holiday to celebrate the shift to spring and the name given to the day where daytime and night-time are the same length. This comes about from the sun rising exactly in the east and setting exactly in the west. It is also peak time for Sakura or Cherry Blossoms in the countries capital Tokyo. Pretty amazing spectacle to see and appreciate the fleeting beauty of this symbolic flower. Another great reason to visit Japan in Spring as can ski and enjoy the Cherry Blossoms in one trip. If looking to come up next year January is filling pretty quick so if you are not a powder hound […]
Indoor Activities Nozawa Onsen
Indoor Activities Nozawa Onsen Saturday Snow for Nozawa 8cm of snow being reported overnight for Yamabiko this morning. Still raining at Village level so suggest you head high early. Can see the snow line vaguely amongst the clouds sitting up above the village. Temps are hovering just above freezing level down low and set to drop throughout today. More snow expected for the slopes and we may even see the white stuff fall down in town. Definite return to winter feel today so if you don’t feel like braving the elements here are a few cool things can do on a day like today; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/activities-nozawa-onsen-japan/rainy-day-activities-nozawa-onsen/ A few tips, Climb a wall, Grab a Yoga Mat, Sip on some Gin, Chill […]
Road Bike Tour Japan
Road Bike Tour Japan Cool change in the air for Nozawa Wake up to close to 0 degrees temps on my doorstep this morning. The low lying fog early also giving things a distinct wintery feel. Yesterday was fun on the slopes under the cloud cover with some welcome shade from the sunny days. Visibility has cleared up since this morning and should be some nice conditions on the piste for some turns. Pretty quiet in town too ahead of the weekend. Local kids started Spring holidays today so expecting some family fun about town this weekend. As the snow starts to recede and many mountain roads open up thoughts shift to the bike and a great time of year […]