Demo Days Nozawa Onsen Demo days and Spring haze in Nozawa Another beautiful spring day in Nozawa with buckets of sunshine and a toasty 8 degrees up top at Yamabiko this morning. T Shirt weather down low for sure so can get some real Spring in your step now. Base is dropping bit by bit but still a very solid 260cm up top today. So will last us all the way to Golden Week no problem even with all this sunshine. Many of he major Ski and Board makers have all their latest gear available to test out with Demo days on over the weekend. Just need to bring some photo ID and can ride the latest planks and maybe […]
Mountain Bike Nozawa Japan
Japan Ski Cherry Blossoms
Japan Ski Cherry Blossoms Bang on 3 meters of base up top to round out March 2022 in Nozawa Will need to look at the record books, but that has to be a bit of a record for base at the end of March in Nozawa. This day last year we had only 185cm up at Yamabiko. At the base this season we have seen over 11 meters of snow fall and imagine is a lot higher number up top. The guys cutting the road at the bottom of Nagasaka Gondola the other day had a bigger job than usual this year. Japan Ski Cherry Blossoms Yesterday was a glorious sunny day on the slopes with plenty of sunshine but […]
Road Trip Nozawa Onsen
Road Trip Nozawa Onsen Nozawa is a small rural village surrounded by mountains. I still remember the very first time I rounded the bend and saw the town for the very first time over 30 years ago. I thought wow this place is something special and I was right. IN a busy ski season we rarely get to leave town as joust no time. Maybe an occasional trip to Iiyama for groceries but even they will deliver. I do like a quick run down to Hirano Cake shop though for the best cakes and pastries this side of Paris. When things start to slow down and the crazy amounts of snow on the road begin to ease it is nice […]
Japan Bookings Open 2023
Japan Bookings Open 2023 Ground Hound Day with another 50cm of fresh overnight in Nozawa This is the 3rd day in a row we are reporting half a meter of fresh snow overnight. That alone is 150cm total and then there is all the snow that fell in the day time too. The base has hit a new peak for the season topping out earlier today at 480 cm thats 5cm above the earlier peak. I need to check the records but it is also the highest snow base we have seen in at least a decade most likely longer. The Powder Hounds were certainly rejoicing with face shots all over the resort. It has kept snowing most of the […]
Snow Season Update Japan
Snow Season Update Japan Before and After in Nozawa Was a beautiful drive up the mountain yesterday and watching the snow flakes loft from the sky into Lake Sutaka behind Uenotaira truly majestic. Check out both shots for the difference between White and Green Seasons in Nozawa. Snow Season Update Japan A bit of sunshine today and looking white up on the slopes all they away down to Paradise. Only a very thin layer though and the Ski Resort has decided to postpone opening this Saturday. They are however using the snow blowers at full tilt, however if we get the 70cm forecast over the next few days doubt they will need them. It would not surprise me if they […]
Nozawa Onsen Bike Festival
Nozawa Onsen Bike Festival Nozawa Onsen Bike Festival 2021 Nozawa is already establishing itself as a terrific Mountain Bike destination but it is also an amazing venue for Road Cycling too. With some amazing hill climbs, ridge lines and literally miles of country roads with very few cars, Nozawa is a great place for cycling enthusiasts. Sure some people are more passionate about Road Cycling than Off Piste Mountain Biking but why choose. Why not do both and you can combine them at the first Nozawa Onsen Bike Festival to be held on October 9th (Sat) and 10th (Sun)! Applications close on August 31st. So get on quick. Please check the web sites below for tournament details and entry application […]
Obon Holiday Travel Japan
Obon Holiday Travel Japan Obon Holiday in Japan starts today! A bit of a buzz around town with a few people arriving for the coming Summer break. Great time to be up in the mountains and explore all that Nozawa has to offer. Hiking, Biking, Paddling, Swimming, Yoga, Painting, Eating or just relaxing take your pick. Nozawa is a traditional mountain village with lots to see and explore. The Nagasaka Gondola is running so can escape the heat and get up high. Yamabiko the top station at about 1450m above sea level is generally 10 degrees cooler than in the valley below. Still plenty of accommodation available in Nozawa if keen to come up or join our Yoga Retreat starting […]
Mountain Day Nozawa Japan
Mountain Day Nozawa Japan Mountain Day in Japan – Start Climbing The long thin islands of Japan are jam packed with Mountains. Amazingly 77% of the country is covered in mountainous region. Many of you know the joy that can bring in the Winter months when we slide down them. Climbing them in the green season is also incredible or just viewing them from afar. In May 2014, it was announced that Mountain Day will be celebrated as a public holiday every August , beginning in 2016. The legislation states that the holiday is to provide “opportunities to get familiar with mountains and appreciate blessings from mountains.” Sounds like a great plan to us. Mt Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain […]
Cycling Event Nozawa Japan
Cycling Event Nozawa Japan Bikers Paradise in Nozawa Onsen All these Olympics are probably making you feel a little sporty. Whether you are into Mountain Biking or Road biking, Nozawa and the surrounding mountains create some ideal terrain to explore on Two Wheels. This shot at the entry to the network of MTB trails that begin up just below the top of the Nagasaka Gondola and cascade down the mountain giving you a similar buzz that you would experience on the planks in the Winter months. Cycling Event Nozawa Japan With Japan under peak heat at the moment it is always 10 degrees cooler up top at Yamabiko and the Gondola is open until the end of October. To be […]
Rafting Nozawa Onsen Japan
Rafting Nozawa Onsen Japan Rafting the River in Nozawa The mighty Chikuma River runs deep along the valley floor below Nozawa Onsen. The Chikuma River is the longest river in all of Japan. It runs through much of Nagano to Nigata and eventually the Sea of Japan. There is a lot of water flowing which can create some amazing rapids. This combined with some nice gentle sections makes for some awesome rafting. You may recognise some familiar faces from this photo. Risa san the guide also works in Ski Patrol in the Winter at Nozawa so you may have seen her fly by in the red uniform to help someone on the slopes. Many locals work for the Ski Resort […]