First Snow Nozawa Onsen
It’s day two of winter in Japan and the morning has brought fresh first snow Nozawa Onsen!
Since 11 o’clock this morning, our favourite winter sight has been falling from the sky, dusting Nozawa Onsen in white.
The morning started with a blue sky and sunshine peaking through scattered clouds but as the day rolled along, dark-grey cloud cover descended on Nozawa Onsen.
It’s the first snow in the village of the season.
Fingers crossed this is a very good sign for an epic winter to come! Usually, on average, it’s the third snow of the season that sticks around so we are now on our way.
The resort is making the most of the freezing temperatures, with the snow guns on full blast working their magic.
We should see up to 20 centimetres of snow today, with a minimum of -7 degrees up top at Yamabiko and the surrounding peaks. The village will be a chilly 1 degrees all day with below 0 temperatures overnight.
The snow is quite wet so will likely disappear from the village tomorrow but with the below-freezing temperatures, a white blanket should stick around up top!
Looking ahead, temperatures are staying below 0 degrees, with the next snowfall forecast for Sunday. The weather is always unpredictable, so cross your fingers the snow keeps falling.
It’s almost time to swap winter coats for waterproof ski jackets and dust off the snow boots.
The village is beginning to come to life with seasonal workers starting to flow back in.
Winter bars and restaurants for all your après ski delights are opening up again too.
Mexican restaurant Juntos, where you can find fresh guacamole loaded on nachos and mushroom-filled burritos, opened on Wednesday.
A brand new gin distillery is set to open on December 15, hopefully just in time to raise a toast to the opening of the ski season!