One Meter Snow Nozawa Oh what a night in Nozawa! Forget about the “Magic Foot” how about the “Magic Meter!” 90cm of fresh snow overnight for Nozawa and still snowing! Two feet are better than one but Three feet are amazing! We were excited to see a Magic Foot of fresh snow yesterday morning and today we are waking up to Three feet or 90cm of fresh snow! It snowed most the day yesterday but just intensified once the sun went down. It was one of those crazy Siberian storms when the sky was just full of flakes and it felt like would never stop. I have been here for more than 30 winters now and it still amazes […]
Hiking Japan
Myoko Suginohara Nozawa Onsen
Myoko Suginohara Nozawa Onsen Staring at Sugi When you gaze across the valley from Nozawa you pick up amazing views of Mt Myoko and Mt Hiuchi. Two formidable mountains, both sitting at an elevation of just under 2500 meters above sea level with Mt Hiuchi winning by a few meters. Myoko Kogen is graced with 5 ski resorts and Suginohara is one of them that stares right back at us in Nozawa. It is only a 49 minute drive from Nozawa Onsen so another great option to explore for a day trip. Having been to Suginohara a fair few times over the past 30 years but last season was the first time to ride the lifts. Usually we just use […]
Best Time Visit Nozawa
Best Time Visit Nozawa Red, Green, Yellow, Blue and White delight in Nozawa A few days ago all the colours came to life in Nozawa Onsen. Up at Yamabiko we received our first magic dusting of snow for the season and the way it united with the Autumn “Koyo” colours was spectacular. October is early to get snow in Nozawa and to be honest we are not really ready for it. Prefer to see some more of this beautiful foliage of the Autumn fall and get some great hiking in before the winter snow arrives. Best Time Visit Nozawa Looking at the forecast we may get another small dusting on Saturday night but it is not really time for snow […]
Nozawa Do Pre Season
Nozawa Do Pre Season 20cm of fresh snow up in the Japan Alps Hakuba Sanso Lodge sitting at 2832m above sea level woke up to this amazing view yesterday morning. A decent 20cm of fresh snow settling on the deck. It was enough for the lodge staff to call the Hut closed for the season. Temps were sitting just below 0 egress but they are expecting a huge cold front from Friday night with the mercury up there dropping to as low as – 11 degrees and forecast of a whopping 75cm of fresh snow could fall up there. Even Nozawa Onsen may see some snow up top over the weekend with temps dipping just below freezing level. It is […]
First Snowfall Season 2023
First Snowfall Season 2023 First snow of the season for the main Island Honshu A number of mountain huts across the Japanese alps that we were just taking about hiking yesterday have reported their first snowfalls for the season! Kita Hotaka Hut sitting at above 3000 meters got a lovely 15cm of fresh snow while at Tateyama up at Murodo at 2450 meters high received a dusting too. Feel it is almost a little too early as would like to experience the Autumn leaves for a while first. First Snowfall Season 2023 Nice and sunny up top there today but still sitting at -6 degrees. It will no doubt warm up and melt away but nice to see things getting […]
Hiking Kamikochi from Nozawa
Hiking Kamikochi from Nozawa Climbing and Hiking now is the best season in Japan Everyone loves the mountains of Japan in winter when the slopes are beautifully covered in fresh Japanese Powder snow. However for many right now Autumn is the best time to explore the amazing mountains of Japan. Living in Nagano we are blessed with being right in the middle of the Southern and Northern Alps. With towering 3000 meter plus peaks in all directions there is a wealth of hiking options to explore. The amazing Shinetsu Trail is right on our doorstep just across the valley and makes for a great Multi day hike while staying in Nozawa. It is 80km long and goes over 16 passes, […]
Powder Flowers Nozawa Onsen
Powder Flowers Nozawa Onsen Powder or Flowers which do you prefer? Another great Summer vs Winter contrast taken in the same spot down a small alleyway in Nozawa Onsen. The photos were taken 6 months apart and amazing the difference. The first with the snowy scene in late February and the second a week or so ago in the warmth of Summer. Up top next week could see the mercury drop as low as 3 degrees as the march into Winter begins. The beautiful fall or “Koyo” will start to unravel soon too and a beautiful time to explore the surrounding mountains. Nozawa is definitely a destination for all seasons check out more on Autumn in Nozawa here; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/nozawa-onsen-summer/autumn-travel-nozawa-japan/
Montbell Clothing Nozawa Onsen
Montbell Clothing Nozawa Onsen Montbell Clothing Nozawa Onsen Montbell is a well-known outdoor clothing and equipment brand based in Japan. The company specializes in outdoor gear, including clothing, sleeping bags, backpacks, tents, and other outdoor accessories. Montbell is recognized for its high-quality and innovative outdoor products, particularly in the realm of lightweight and functional gear suitable for hiking, camping, climbing, and various outdoor activities. The good news is there is a new Montbell flagship store opening just near Nozawa Onsen at the Michi No Eki just a few kilometres out of town. Can easily drive or take a taxi down in about 10 minutes. Opening 1st of November 2023! Montbell Clothing Nozawa Onsen Key points about Montbell clothing brand in […]
Nozawa Onsen Summer Festival
Nozawa Onsen Summer Festival Nakao Festival on fire Nozawa has 13 distinct districts or neighbourhoods known as Ku’s. Each Ku is a collection of houses and lodges that cluster around one of the 13 free Onsens in the village. The community work together to clean and take care of the Onsen houses, the streets, organise festivals and generally care for one another. It is a unique and very caring community that is rare to find not only in Japan but anywhere in the world. Nakao is the biggest Ku in area and numbers and the residents are very proud of their territory and traditions. It is the area just below the Karasawa ski lift and Hachiman Shrine on the south […]
Summer Activities Nozawa Japan
Summer Activities Nozawa Japan The last month of Summer August is here and it is officially the last month of Summer. The rainy season has passed and now is the best time to enjoy all the Summer activities Nozawa and the surrounding areas have to offer. – Hiking the trails around Nozawa and further afield to some impressive Mountain Peaks Mountain Biking, the Gondola is open to drop you to the top and cruise down the trails Swimming, Paddling, or just admiring all the lakes, streams and rivers in the area. Canyoning too Summer sports like Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Gate ball, Summer skiing and more We have Yoga and Hiking Retreats coming up from September too as things start to […]