Long-stay Nozawa Onsen Spending a month in Nozawa Onsen over the Green Season is cheaper than renting at home! We all know how well Nozawa Onsen thrives during the winter. But during the offseason, the town and mountain revert to a traditional farming village. It creates the perfect retreat from the heat and hustle of the busier touristy areas. So too, does it provide a peaceful sanctuary to indulge creativity or self-reflection. Last Green Season, we had families take advantage of discounted rates on self-contained apartments, gathering to be together away from the world. We saw couples come stay in our lodges to mountain bike down green ski runs, paddle on Lake Hokuryuko and hike through farmland and cedar forests […]
Nozawa Holidays
Nozawa Onsen Spring Snow Report, 7th of March 2019
Nozawa Onsen Spring Snow Report, 7th of March 2019 15 centimetres overnight (at the top of the mountain)! Will we see some more Nozawa Onsen spring snow today? The current forecast seems to think so. But just don’t look out the window, see rain and become disheartened. The mountain is the place to be. By tonight, we should be seeing a fair amount of fresh white stuff in the village too. But for now, get to the top of the mountain! The forecasters are saying that we’ll see well into the double digits at the top of Mount Kenashi this afternoon and tonight. As those who’ve been up of late will know, there’s still a healthy base up there. Depending […]
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. 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, flute players, dancing and an age-old Japanese folk pantomime. Being the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the performance is said to dispell evil in favour of good […]
Nozawa Onsen Spring Snow Report, 6th of March 2019
Nozawa Onsen Spring Snow Report, 6th of March 2019 What a day yesterday was for those who ventured up! While the lower slopes and village remained a little too warm, the same may not be said for up top. Fifteen centimetres of fresh spring snow awaited skiers and boarders yesterday morning. With a taste for it, everyone now wants to know if that was the entrée or the main course. It looks like it could merely be the entrée. Today’s shaping up to be another radiant spring day but tomorrow could bring us what we want. In fact, the current forecast suggests that will start this afternoon at the summit of Mount Kenashi. Throughout tomorrow, the forecasters say we’ll see handfuls […]
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 5th of March 2019
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 5th of March 2019 There’s really no other news to begin with beyond the fact we got a fresh 15 centimetres overnight. Those disheartened by the wet conditions at village level need only venture up higher to have their spirits lifted. It wasn’t quite cold enough in town for that rain to turn to snow (except briefly). But both the Uenotaira and Yamabiko areas were certainly cold enough, yesterday and overnight. It’s been a little while since we’ve had some new snowfall but now that it has arrived, it looks as though we’ll add to it in the days to come. The current cloud is set to clear for another sunny spring afternoon. Over the second […]
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 4th of March 2019
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 4th of March 2019 The forecast has definitely improved, even since yesterday. While it may be a little warm to snow at village level right now, we’re expecting more than a handful up top today. The current forecast suggests double digits tonight. That much and then some is currently expected to arrive Wednesday night and throughout Thursday. It might be difficult to believe with all the spring weather we’ve been seeing for past few weeks but it looks like winter is soon to make a welcome return (at least at the top of the mountain). This week may be an ordinary one at village level. The warmer temperatures may have us believe that the rain is […]
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 3rd of March 2019
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report, 3rd of March 2019 The first thing we should probably consider doing is not getting too excited upon looking at the forecast for the coming week. Having said that, we’ve had a bit of a dry spell and it’s hard not to. As we have said many times before, the forecasters tend to over deliver. Ten centimetres often eventuates as twenty. So looking at the forecast, particularly on Monday night and throughout Thursday, it does look promising. However, with all things Mother Nature does, it may change before the time comes. We’ll have to just wait and see but for now, it certainly gives us hope of a spring dump! Spring skiing is favoured by many […]
3 Nozawa Onsen Winter Activities That Aren’t Skiing
3 Nozawa Onsen Winter Activities That Aren’t Skiing Most of us visiting during Nozawa Onsen winter do so to ski and board upon Mount Kenashi. The snow, traditional village and the locals who make it special, among the drawcards. That’s even before we’ve mentioned the food and the onsens themselves! But what many don’t realise is that there are a few extras to get a bit more out of your downtime. The Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort runs three unique tours that guests may not ordinarily get around to experiencing. Snowfield Sightseeing Tour The resort runs snow groomer tours for a large chunk of the season. It’s a pretty cool way to see the winter mountainscape from an angle you’re not […]
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 2nd of March, 2019
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 2nd of March, 2019 Given that the last bit of winter was very spring-like, it should come as no surprise that we’re now officially spring skiing, even if you aren’t familiar with the Gregorian calendar. We’ve seen some warm temperatures and some gorgeous days filled with blue sky and sunshine. While that’s all good and well, Mother Nature may have something else in store for us. That’s according to the forecast for the week to come… There looks to be a bit around on Wednesday night and through Thursday (possibly beyond). As we well know from experience with the snow forecast, the forecasters have a habit of under promising and over delivering. So there’s a chance […]
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 1st of March, 2019
Nozawa Onsen Snow Report 1st of March, 2019 It has been such whirlwind season here in Nozawa that it’s a little hard to believe winter has now gone. There’s no need to be too sad, though. The passing of winter means that spring is here. Many people will tell you that spring skiing is even better than the powder days of earlier in the season. Temperatures are warmer, of course. This is always good for a beer or two in between runs! There are fewer people around during March too. It’s not uncommon to find that you’re the only one on a run (especially on a weekday). When you couple the above with cheaper lift passes and discounts on accommodation, […]