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 […]
Mountain Bike Nozawa Japan
Nozawa Gondola Open Close
Nozawa Gondola Open Close Thats a wrap for the Gondola for this Green Season in Nozawa Next time you ride it, hopefully the scene will look like this nice and white at the top when you get off. It was a spectacular array of colours in the forest canopy below the Gondola these past weeks. You can still get to the top but need to hike, ride or drive. With the cool weather it is a beautiful time to ride up and cruise down. Have many people asking when will the Ski Resort open? The official planned opening date is for Saturday the 26th of November. Last year we saw a 30th of November opening with some early falls and […]
Buy Lift Pass Nozawa
Buy Lift Pass Nozawa Who has ridden the new Nagasaka Gondola in Nozawa? Having only opened two season ago for many of our overseas guests the answer is probably not yet. So hope you are excited to check it out this coming season. It is quicker, roomier, more comfortable and has better views than the old girl. I was amazed the first time I rode it, normally I have time to feed the kids, remove my aching boots and send a few emails on the way up but with travel time cut in half the kids had to go hungry 🙂 A few fun facts for you The middle station has been removed and the track is straight to the […]
Autumn Hiking Nozawa Japan
Autumn Hiking Nozawa Japan Autumn changes a foot in the mountains The leaves are starting to change colour up high in Nozawa Onsen and surrounding mountains. October is a magic time of year in Nozawa and many parts of Japan as the seasonal change is spectacular. All the reds, yellows and golden shades of the leaves are beautiful to see and experience. The weather is nice and cool so the perfect time to hike or mountain bike in Nozawa or the nearby amazing Shinetsu Trail. The Gondola is open until the end of October too to get you up there, then takes a short break before opening for the winter season which could be as early as November 26th. […]
Four Seasons Nozawa Onsen
Four Seasons Nozawa Onsen Four Seasons of Nozawa at Taki No Yu Onsen Which is your favourite Onsen in Nozawa? It is a hard question with 13 free Onsens to choose from and a host of others in hotels and around the village. Some are bigger than others, some have hotter water, some have greener water, some are quiet, and some bustling. Lots of variables that will suit different folks. My personal favourite is Taki No Yu Onsen nestled up in a beautiful peaceful corner of the village. It is a good walk from the centre of town so often empty and also very cosy. These shots show the Onsen over 4 different times of the year. Some people think […]
Equinox Yoga Retreat Japan
Equinox Yoga Retreat Japan Autumn equinox Yoga Retreat This years Autumn Equinox retreat is your opportunity to escape into nature, and reconnect with yourself. Expect plenty of time outdoors taking in the incredible autumn colours and scenes; delicious vegetarian food from local restauranteurs, twice daily yoga classes; guided nature hikes, an abundance of traditional Japanese hot springs to relax in and plenty of space and time to yourself. Private or twin share rooms and family/group apartment options available. This all inclusive retreat in the mountains of Nagano will have you feeling refreshed and reconnected. Equinox Yoga Retreat Japan Retreat itinerary: Friday 9/23 4pm check in & welcome drink 5pm Yoga with Rowie 6.30pm Group Dinner Saturday 9/24 7am Morning yoga […]
August Nozawa Holiday Japan
August Nozawa Holiday Japan August is a great time of year with lots of fun activities and beautiful scenery to explore. Here is a link to videos and information of all that is on offer in Nozawa over the Green Season. https://www.nozawaholidays.com/summer-nozawa-green-season/ The Nagasaka Gondola is also open so you can ride to the top and enjoy some fresh cool mountain air. Take a picnic or your Mountain Bike and enjoy the views. More information here on the ski resort site; https://en.nozawaski.com/summer/ The Sparena Swimming pool is also open and you can take a cool dip in many of the mountain streams around the village and surrounding mountains and enjoy an onsen after. Some more great activities include Summer Activities […]
Mountain Bike Event Japan
Mountain Bike Event Japan Rent a whole Mountain Bike Course for you and your friends in Nozawa A while ago we talked about the possibility to rent your own Ski Resort at Togari across the valley for 60,000 yen for the night skiing. I didn’t realise but in Summer you can also rent the Nozawa MTB trails and host your own event. Some guests by the name of DEE MANIACS staying at Villa Nozawa did that just this weekend gone. Mountain Bike Event Japan They raced top to bottom with all the regular thrills and spills ,then had the Gondola to take them back up to do it all again and Onsens to soothe the aches after. The local community […]
Mountain Bike Season Nozawa
Mountain Bike Season Nozawa Ticket to ride in Nozawa Mountain Bike season is in full swing in Nozawa now and a great time of year to explore the slopes and trails on the mountain. You can take the Nagasaka Gondola all the way to the top and ride nearly 15km back down the mountain. Mountain Bike Season Nozawa Just 2000 Yen for a ticket to ride with your bike or a day pass for 5000 yen and ride unlimited times. Bit like a ski pass only you can take your bike too. If need to rent a bike or any gear or want a lesson drop in and see Take san and the gang at Compass House. They helped design […]
Snow Walls Nozawa Japan
Snow Walls Nozawa Japan How much snow did we get this Season? I took this photo yesterday up at Tateyama home to the amazing Kurobe Alpine Route and those huge snow walls that they tunnel out every Spring in Japan. It just opened less than 1 week ago and this year the walls have measured in at a massive 18 meters high! That’s a whole lot of snow. The area is a Disneyland for skiers, boarders and mountain climbers that don’t mind a bit of hiking to earn your turns. Snow Walls Nozawa Japan Who would like to see these amazing Snow walls? They are just over 2 hours away from Nozawa Onsen. Jump on the site to book your […]