First Snow Japan We are not even out of one of the hottest Summers in Japan and this morning the First snow has hit Hokkaido Northern Japan! Maybe some Climate Change at work? The temperature there this morning was 0 degrees. At Daisetsuyama at Kurodake, which is often the first place to record snow in Japan. The first snow last year was on September 28. Could we be in for an Early Ski Season? Way too early to tell but why not get a little excited! This is the earliest snow that has been recorded there since they started to take records in 1974! The elevation is at 1900m above sea level. Nozawa Onsen started to get snow Falls in […]
Latest News
Hiking Nozawa Onsen Japan
Hike Japan | The Shin-Etsu Trail, Nozawa Onsen The mountains of Japan are amazing for skiing in the Winter months and are now well known across the globe. Those amazing alps believe it or not are still there all year round and are just as Spectacular in the “Green Seaason”. In the vicinity of Nozawa Onsen there are many amazing little hikes and day trips you can set out on from the Village but if you are a bit more of a serious hiker you may want to consider the Shin-etsu Trail. Hiking Nozawa Onsen Japan The Shin-etsu Trail runs for and amazing 80 kilometers along the border between Nagano and Niigata Prefectures, following the path of the Sekida Mountain […]
Mountain Day in Nozawa Onsen
What is Mountain Day? August 11 is Mountain Day; Japan’s newest public holiday. Many say that because Japanese workers often don’t get to take their full allotment of annual leave, the government throws a few extra public holidays their way. Most will tell you this is to stimulate the economy a little. Some might even suggest it’s to get people to stay home and work on growing the country’s flagging population. Other people just love mountains. We love mountains. One in particular. Made a legal thing in 2014 and then eventually put into action for the first time in 2016, Mountain Day is officially about providing people with “opportunities to get familiar with mountains and appreciate blessings from mountains”. Where […]
2-Night Nozawa Onsen Mountain Escape to Experience the Famous Lantern Festival
Take a Nozawa Onsen Mountain Escape to Experience the Lantern Festival! Each year, on the 8th and 9th of September, Nozawa Onsen comes alive for the amazing Lantern Festival. In 2018, those dates happen to fall upon a Saturday and Sunday which creates a great opportunity for those in Japan to escape to the mountains for a memorable weekend! Festivals are something that Nozawa Onsen village does well and while January’s Fire Festival may get all the hype due to coinciding with plenty of powder snow, September’s Lantern Festival is a bit of a favourite. Saturday, 8th During the early evening of Saturday 8th, Oyu Dori (Nozawa’s main street) springs to life with street vendors and a parade featuring drums, […]
Onsen Therapy in Nozawa Onsen
Onsen Therapy? Onsen therapy in Nozawa Onsen? Long before locals in Nozawa Onsen ever heard of skiing people were visiting the village for the onsens themselves. For hundreds of years, Japanese people have been aware of the healing and regenerative powers of natural hot springs. Much more recently, the western world is starting to take notice. So, when we heard of an Australian doing some research (and just started a Facebook page to collect all the info in one place) into Japanese onsens being used as therapy, we had a few questions… Teresa McEleney Lymphoedema MLD Therapist Remedial Massage Therapist NH: Why onsens? Teresa: For years, I’ve had an interest in water therapy, especially cold and hot immersion therapy for […]
Qantas Sale Ski Japan
Qantas Sale Ski Japan Jetstar and the no frills carriers have always got good deals going to Japan it appears and now Qantas is also doing some awesome fares to Japan for various times of the year including Ski Season! With One Way Economy from as little as $349. Dates been advertised Departing Sydney include the following Depart betweenTue 29 Jan 2019–Wed 13 Feb 2019 – This is Peak Snow Time in Nozawa with almost always awesome snow! Depart betweenTue 16 Apr 2019–Fri 3 May 2019 – This is Spring time but can still Ski in Nozawa until May 6 and catch the Cherry Blossoms and some amazing deals with Accommodation heavily discounted. Great for the kids over Easter School […]
Nozawa Onsen Locals Guide – In the Powder
Nozawa Onsen Locals Guide – In the Powder Nozawa is a small farming community of only 3600 people most of the year, It swells a bit over the Snow Season with guests flowing in from all over the world to enjoy the amazing powder snow and soak in the traditional atmosphere and onsen baths. Leading up to the season we will be running our “In the Powder” series and try and give you the inside scoop on things to see and do with some valuable tips from long term staff, guests and residents of Nozawa. They have thier favourite restaurants, bars, ski runs and more and will share a bit of the knowledge with you to help you get to […]
Fuji Rock Accommodation Nozawa Onsen
Fuji Rock Accommodation Nozawa Onsen The Fuji Rock is on every year running over 3 amazing days towards the end of July. The Festival is held in the forest at the foothills of the Naeba Ski Resort in nearby Yuzawa. Fantastic set up with multiple stages, delicious food stalls, interesting clothes shops and much more. Like most things in Japan it is extremely well run and clean as you can expect and a very picturesque setting along the river in amongst the lush Japanese Forest. Always an amazing Lineup with big names like Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Lizzo and more backed up by a huge list of local and international acts. Here are some of the other great performers or […]
Back Country Touring Nozawa
Back Country Touring Nozawa Nozawa Onsen is one of the oldest and longest running Ski destinations in Japan. People first starting sliding down its slopes in 1923 and even earlier. It has a long and proud history in all skiing disciplines and has produced many Olympic level skiers in downhill, jump and cross country over the years. Infact more than any other town in Japan. Probably due to Nozawa’s strong and proud history with on piste pursuits, back country has taken a little while to get on the map. But make no mistake the surrounding terrain of Nozawa Onsen and the fast that it is one of the snowiest places on the planet make it a back country mecca for […]
Nozawa Onsen Snow Shuttle Bookings Open
Nozawa Onsen Snow Shuttle Bookings Open Nozawa Onsen Airport Shuttle Bus Bookings now Open! Here is a link with details, times and to book; Nozawa Onsen Airport Snow Shuttle Bookings have just opened for the shuttle for the coming Snow Season in Nozawa Onsen, busy times fill fast so get in early. Easy way to get to and from Tokyo Airports both Narita and Haneda to Nozawa Onsen. Especially if have an evening arrival you probably won’t make the train so the Shuttle is the only way to get up that night. Main Shuttle Operates from 18th of December 2018 until 17th of March 2019 so click on the link below to Book Now! Nozawa Onsen Snow Shuttle Bookings Open Your […]