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,
Cody leading the way thru 30cm of Fresh snow after an amazing week for the Families at Nozawa House
Base up top: 245 cm Temperature; -5 Degrees
Base at bottom; 175 cm
New Snow: 30 cm
It is coming down again in Nozawa Onsen with almost 30cm or as we like to call it the “Magic Foot” falling again in the last few hours. The dump we were expecting last night was delayed and the deluge began at about 7 am this morning. It has been bucketing ever since and everything quickly got blanketed.
The runs were amazing as even though they had been groomed most have now got at least 30cm of fresh snow on top. Not so many tracks about today so fresh slopes were on offer in many spots. Always know when it is going to be quieter on the slopes the next day by the numbers at the onsen the night before. Last night for the first time in a while it was just the regular few members enjoying a soak.
Outlook is for the snowfall to continue thru tomorrow but not as heavy and then sunshine on Friday morning. Good time to get the planks waxed and get out there for some more amazing conditions.
There are a few good options in Nozawa Onsen for waxing and tuning your skis or snowboards. Esfa below is one of the best. That’s all they do and have been doing it for years. They take care of all the gear for the local race teams too and are good value. Other good options are Toshi near Villa Nozawa and Tomii Rentals on the slopes below Nagasaka Gondola. So no excuses fro not having your gear at its best to tackle the mountains of powder on offer in Nozawa at the moment . Just ask us if need any more info or help
Hitoshi and Ikea at Esfa Ski Tuning in Nozawa Onsen - Pros on gear tuning
Beautiful Back Country here in Nozawa Onsen by Hiroshi Suganuma
Base up top: 240 cm Temperature; -5 Degrees
Base at bottom; 160 cm
New Snow: 10 cm
Snowed fairly consistently yesterday getting heavy at times. Then, as forecast was a beautiful start to the day today with sunshine and good powder coverage on the slopes.
A few of the guys got on the Gondola first thing this morning and hit up some of the steeper ungroomed runs early for first tracks. They said was waist deep in spots and beautiful conditions.
A bit if a news worthy event last night in Nozawa, when 3 snowboarders went missing. They were not found until 8am this morning by a helicopter over the back on the way to Maguse Onsen. Looks like they found a bit of shelter on the side of the mountain and are in decent shape but must have been a long cold night up there.
Just a warning to be careful if venturing off the beaten track. If you stand up the top of Mount Kenashi there is a vast amount of wilderness out there and same as anywhere in the world it can be beautiful but dangerous too.
Good news is the Ski School will be running Back Country tours again this season. Mainly on the weekends, starting late January when the snow pack is a bit more settled. Local skier Take Ueno a Japan champion Telemark skier will be one of the guides so should be some amazing tours. Just ask at Lodge Nagano or Villa Nozawa if would like to book.
It has just started snowing here now lightly and from the forecast quite a bit more to come over the next 2 days.
Maguse Onsen awesome outdoor onsen near Nozawa. Can go with a guide later in the season.
Woke up to the sound of silence this morning, always find that the sound of snow falling makes the whole scene very quiet.
The beat is getting louder in Nozawa now though with the snow absolutely dumping for about the last hour. The heavy snow we were expecting last night looks like it has been delayed a little, it began about 7am this morning and looks like we should get a good 30cm out of it thru the day.
Then the outlook is for a blue bird day tomorrow followed by more snow again on Wednesday so we are in a good pattern at the moment.
Yesterday on the slopes was awesome, there were a few people early but by about 11am there was no line up to get on to the main Nagasaka Gondola. Some of the higher lifts had a bit of a queue but only a few minutes wait. The sun was out and the snow quality was excellent.
Will be pretty busy today and tomorrow then should be back to a quiet times after that. Went for a great ski with young Troy Perey yesterday in his chair ski, what a champion. Took on the slopes with a smile and a laugh,very inspirational stuff
New Years Eve 2011 gathering at the snow covered Shrine
Base up top: 235 cm Temperature; -4 Degrees
Base at bottom; 160 cm
New Snow: 0 cm
We celebrated the coming of the New Year in style in Nozawa Onsen. The bars and restaurants were pretty packed early in the night then everyone made their way to either the Shrine or Nagasaka Slopes for the fireworks. Two very different experiences, but both unique.
The bell at the Shrine was rung 108 times and the village elders handed out New Years blessings or omomori, with everyone making a wish for a good year ahead.
On the snow front no fresh snow to report overnight but it was really cold while moving around the streets last night so the snow up top should be in good condition this morning. Fairly blue skies outside at the moment so looking like a beautiful first day of the year here in Nozawa. But forecasts suggest that will soon change with a good dump expected from tonight.
Yesterday was a terrific day on the slopes with fresh snow and the sun coming out around lunchtime to deliver awesome conditions for the New Years crowds, which were not as bad as last year by all reports.
The outlook is for a snow then sun then snow cycle ahead, which is always good to see.
We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year for you and yours and a safe and enjoyable year ahead. Look forward to seeing you knee deep in some powder or neck deep in an Onsen in Nozawa in 2012. Thanks for your ongoing support. Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu from everyone in Nozawa Onsen.
Different type of gathering at the Stay Bar Jam session on Oyu Dori in Nozawa
Beautiful last day of the Year in Nozawa Onsen with 250cm base life is good
Base up top: 250 cm Temperature; -6 Degrees
Base at bottom; 175 cm
New Snow: 25 cm
Already the last day of the year and it has been a terrific season so far. The JMA had been predicting below average snowfalls for December but Mother Nature has proved them wrong this year. We already have a 250cm base up top and had another 25cm’s of new snowfall overnight.
This time last year we had just 110cm base up top so more than double! As we slide into the New Year hopefully this will set us up for a great season ahead in Nozawa and some great snow all the way thru til the end, which is early May, so still over 4 fun months to go.
It has been snowing on and off since yesterday with a few heavy falls last night, which was probably most of the 25cm of fresh snow. This morning has seen some rays of sunshine mixed with light snow, which should make for great conditions on the slopes today.
Is looking pretty busy up there as expected with nice long lines to get on to the Gondola this morning which is encouraging to see. Probably not as busy as this time last year but still a good vibe around town. Will be a busy night up at the Shrine tonight too with people walking up to pray for a good year ahead it is always a special night for Nozawa. Then afterwards the Soba shops are pretty popular with everyone eating the long noodles for a long life. Life is good in Nozawa Onsen.
Daimon Soba Restaurant will be popular tonight for the New Year
