Nozawa Onsen Accommodation, Nagano, The Alps Japan
Nestled in the Japan Alps is a magical place steeped in culture and with some terrific skiing and boarding. Nagano was home to the Winter Olympics in 1998.
Get in touch if keen to get knee deep in powder or neck deep in a Hot Spring soon…
Video
Check out our video of our 4 main properties below.
Nozawa Onsen is a very traditional town with beautiful hot springs, friendly locals, and awesome snow. Our Lodge gives you amazing value and we have a range of accommodation to suit any budget.
The Lodge is only 100m to the slopes and short stroll to town
Relaxed and comfortable atmosphere
In the centre of Japan’s main Island Honshu easy access from anywhere
You can fly direct to Tokyo and there is a shuttle bus direct to the Lodge
English and Japanese Speaking Staff to help with all your needs
Unique and beautiful place with breathtaking nature and culture
Nozawa Village is also famous for its hot springs, there are many nearby
Lots of terrain, with Gondolas, high speed quads, and long runs – very few lift lines
Thanks Mark – we were first invited to Nozawa years ago and have been enjoyed the skiing, the village and your hospitality ever since. Thanks for helping us enjoy it so much,
Just keeps getting deeper in Nozawa Onsen - Heading down Hachiman Course under the chair
Base up top: 320 cm Temperature; -7 Degrees
Base at bottom; 240 cm
New Snow: 25 cm
Once again last night we were treated to an unexpected sizeable dump from the snow gods. We received a good 25cm of fresh snow on top of yesterdays massive fall.
It snowed most of last night not super heavy but enough to gather on your head as you walked thru the village. It was still snowing this morning but looks like the tap has finally been turned off for now with a bit of blue sky poking thru the clouds. Not sure it will last though as there are a few snowy looking clouds hovering over Myoko that may blow in later.
Yesterday was yet again an amazing powder filled day on the slopes. Was getting a little heavy down low as the temps were a bit warm but was nice conditions all over.
The preparation for the Fire Festival continues today as they enter the final hours it is a race to get it all done but they always get there and the snow should hopefully not hinder construction today. The Festivities kick off at 7 pm down at the Dosojin Arena towards the bottom of the Village just follow the crowds. There will be Fireworks and drummers before the kids have a charge at the tower.
Then the rest of the Villagers will do their best to burn it to the ground. The whole pantomime should come to a fiery climax at about 10pm.
It is quite a long and cold night so rug up especially your feet. There is always free sake on offer but please take it easy we hope not to see a repeat of a few years ago where a few visitors had one too many and fell asleep in the snow! It is still a long way until Spring arrives! Have a great night and hope to see you all there.
This years Fire Festival sees 3 Toru in the Village - Here our neighbours proudly display thiers in celebration of a birth in the Family
Matt Drew is back in Nozawa and wielding the powder stick! Self portrait
Base up top: 325 cm Temperature; -7 Degrees
Base at bottom; 240 cm
New Snow: 65 cm
The snow is getting a bit out of control in Nozawa Onsen. We had about 30cm forecast for last night, we ended up getting at least twice that amount with over 60cm falling since yesterday afternoon.
For the locals who continually have to clear it off their roofs and roads it is hard work, for the powder hounds it is heaven. It started yesterday afternoon and fell heavy all night. We cleared about 40cm off the car park at midnight and it was light, kind of like foam at the beach. Then when we woke up there was another 30cm waiting for us.
With the fire festival on tomorrow should be a fairly busy weekend but the lift lines were almost non-existent today. Some people may be a bit scared off by the state of the roads, anyone coming up will want winter tires and a 4WD or may even need chains so take it easy on the roads.
Yesterday was a big day for the Fire Festival guys as they got the trees down in preparation for the big event they will be building today and tomorrow in preparation at the festival grounds so well worth a look.
The weather outlook is still for some clearer skies ahead over the next few days, which we are kind of glad to see. Then the snow marks are appearing again from Friday on so we are in a sweet spot in Nozawa and hope to see you up sometime.
Getting ready to rumble for the Fire Festival in Nozawa Onsen
Cool place to camp in Nozawa Onsen - So much snow has fallen over the last few weeks has made for some classic scenes around town
Base up top: 280 cm Temperature; -3 Degrees
Base at bottom; 185 cm
New Snow: 0 cm
Yesterday was the day over 300cm base, 30cm of fresh, sun was out and the slopes were empty! I got the last Gondola up for the day at 3:30pm and when arrived at the top there were only a handful of people hanging around Yamabiko. Just took the one run down Skyline home and had it to myself not another soul to be seen and with the sun set over Myoko it was superb!
Today there was a bit of light snow falling in the Village this morning but the sun is out and blue skies are covering the resort now. It was really cold last night with the clear skies any heat that had been produced during the day quickly escaped into the atmosphere. At about 9pm it was -8 degrees just outside.
Probably made for an icy start today on the groomers but the snow quality is excellent and there should still be a few nice bits of powder around for the taking with very few people again today. That will all change tomorrow with a decent crowd expected for the Dosojin Fire Festival weekend. The main event will start at the bottom of the Village at about 7:30pm on Sunday night but from today there will be action around town as the trees to build the shrine are dragged through the Village. It is always a lot of fun with lots of cheering and sake flowing thru the streets. Be sure to check it out.
Mother Nature hit us pretty hard yesterday evening with almost 30cm of snow falling in around 3 Hours, was spectacular to watch. The snow piled up pretty quick.
Then this morning the sun came out and provided us with a magic day. Conditions on the slopes are as good as it gets and some of the powder runs were beautiful. On piste too was great with a bit of powder on top of the groomed.
It has started to snow lightly again now and should continue throughout the day then we are in for another fairly decent fall tomorrow night and light thru the weekend.
Next week something we have not seen for a while but a row of sunshine looks like it may be on the menu. Have a bunch of Italians here in town at the moment, they have travelled far to taste the famous Japanese powder and as they headed up this morning they had that satisfied look in their eyes.
The Italian powder job hits Nozawa Onsen - Tanta Neve! Bellisimo
Sato san 70 years old and going strong. Up on the roof enjoying the views and a bit of sun photo by Gabriel Sutter
Base up top: 265 cm Temperature; -4 Degrees
Base at bottom; 180 cm
New Snow: 10 cm
After two relatively clear days in Nozawa Onsen people were wondering where the snow is! Today it has returned, not real heavy but spurts of decent falls and already about 15cm has collected. Think we should get another 15cm at least out of this system. Has been a nice break to clear the decks before the next dump.
Then tomorrow is showing a blue bird day followed by a few days of moderate falls thru to the weekend.
This weekend is the famous Fire Festival on the 15th of January and already things are starting to get organized. Good friend of ours Kono san a former Ski Patrol boss is having a Toru or tower in the festival this year to celebrate the birth of his grandson. I just drove past and they were building it, looked beautiful. There will be two other Toru joining his so will be a big festival this year as the last few years has only been two.
Keep your eyes out on the slopes as on the 13th the gang will go up and cut down the trees and drag them down the slopes to build the main platform that will house all the 42 Year olds on the night. While the 25 Year olds protect the base from the onslaught of fire wielding locals.
Great conditions on the slopes today, with a bit of a cover on the groomers and bursts of sunshine earlier. Snow is set in now but by the looks. Have a great day and looking forward to the festival weekend ahead.
Nozawa Onsen firing up for the annual Fire Festival
