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 […]
Holiday 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 […]
Rentals Lessons Lifts Nozawa
Rentals Lessons Lifts Nozawa Take of two mountains in Nozawa What a rippa of a day it was yesterday! Rippa is a Japanese word which means the same as the English equivalent a ripper of a day. Always nice to get a cold blast in late March and the little top up of snow was much appreciated. In Spring I often ski without gloves but yesterday I wish I had have worn them as the temps stayed nice and cold keeping the piste fresh. The top was great and spent most of the day up at Yamabiko. As expected it got slushy and a bit sparse in places on the lower slopes but still able to ski top to bottom […]
Every Season Different Nozawa
Every Season Different Nozawa 2014 March Vs Now These two photos taken at Uenotaira the top station of the Hikage Gondola 9 years apart almost to the day. The first one was 22nd of March 2014 the other just a few days ago. On that day in 2014 we had a base of 385cm and got a 40cm dump overnight. Every season plays out differently. If missing these scenes and have not booked for next season now is the time. Head to the site for a quote; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/bookings/ Link in Bio Yesterday we had our warmest day this winter with the village over 20 degrees. It was super slushy up on the slopes but still fun when I did a […]
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 […]
Spring Skiing Fun Japan
Spring Skiing Fun Japan You could have been here yesterday… What a magic March day it was yesterday on the slopes in Nozawa. The 15 plus centimetres we received the day before, sunshine and cool temps up high making all the difference. One of the gang that have been here for a while said was his best day all season. Perfect on the piste and some fun in the bit of powder amongst the trees. Plenty of people about for the quasi long weekend and a great vibe on the slopes and at the restaurants. Demo day on as well so lots of cool new gear gliding down the mountain. The sun coming out now for what looks like another […]
Best Ski March Japan
Best Ski March Japan Bluebird Sunday in Nozawa Onsen The sun is just starting to peak over Mt Kenashi this morning and it is shaping up to be a picture perfect day in Nozawa Onsen. We ended up getting 15cm of fresh snow through the day up top at Yamabiko. Given the time of the year it was not the dry powder we are used to but a nice top up all the same. Feast your eyes on the web cams up top this morning with beautiful blue skies and the trees glistening in the white gold. https://nozawa-onsen.com/nozawa-webcams/ Big night in town last night with the streets buzzing under the festival, race rewards and busy weekend. Not many overseas guests […]