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,
Kelsey smashes through some untouched pow on Christmas Eve
Christmas in Nozawa Onsen
Base at top: 95 cm
Temp at Top: -7 Degree
Base at Uenotaira station: 55 cm
New snow since close: 5 cm
Weather: Clear
Fog engulfs the village this Christmas in Nozawa Onsen. But up high the peaks are piercing through the clouds, bathed in the golden glow of morning sunshine. This valley fog is characteristic of stable weather and that is what is expected today with calm winds and clear skies expected. The inside pane of glass froze this morning in our room; its cold out there right now but its expected to warm slightly through the day.
Its a Japanese public holiday today so it will be busy on the slopes. Groomed runs will offer corduroy perfection if you can beat the rush. With the fresh snow yesterday and overnight (5cm) you can now ski top to bottom once more with the opening of Challenge and Forest Trail. There will still be a few pockets of untouched fresh towards the edges of the groomers. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for Santa on the slopes!
Yesterday was a fun day of skiing and boarding in Nozawa Onsen. It snowed lightly on and off and although off piste isn’t possible there were a few patches of knee deep powder on the sides of the groomers. During the afternoon the crowds weren’t especially menacing; the lift lines were relatively short. At one point in the afternoon the clouds broke and the entire mountain was bathed in a stormy golden light. Exciting times as a photographer.
Nozawa Onsen Weather Forecast
The forecast ahead remains impressive. Rain and warm weather for tomorrow has really backed off, and precipitation totals once the cold air arrives on the 27th remains solid. I predict the base will crack 2m by New Years Day. From all at Nozawa Onsen, we wish you a very merry Christmas in Nozawa Onsen.
Found these very old photos yesterday in a Japanese Lodge. Pretty cool relics from the past. They are taken of the Hikage area.
Base at top: 90 cm
Temp at Top: -5 Degree
Base at Uenotaira station: 50 cm
New snow since close: 25 cm
Weather: Snow
Wohoo its here we are on again! We have received a good overnight dump in Nozawa of 25cm up top and a solid coating in the village of about 10-15cm, bringing the Christmas coat back to Nozawa Onsen. After the devastation of snow loss over the past two days the stoke has returned to town once more! At -5c the cold temperatures may come as a shock to some up top. Make sure to rug up in many layers for todays riding adventures.
Todays riding will be best up high where there is still a solid base on piste. The snow will be deep fresh powder and thanks to the cold temperatures will be of excellent quality. Look towards Yamabiko for the advanced riders and Paradise for the learners. Remember to smile today as you may receive a gift from Santa. Santa will be skiing in Nozawa Onsen today and the first 100 happy punters to spot him will receive a gift!
Yesterday was fun up high but very poor down low. It was snowing for much of the day upwards of mid mountain. 5cm collected at the gondola top station making for small pockets of fresh snow towards the edges of the groomed runs. The base was icy underneath, but not as rock hard as one might expect. Lower down the snow became sticky and slow. It was difficult but not impossible to ski to the resort thanks to the warm temperature depleting the snow base.
Quite frankly, the forecast is looking outstanding with solid precipitation upgrades and a strong winter pattern from the 27th. 30-40cm+ is my call for Tuesday night and light to moderate snow will continue for the rest of the week. Today snow showers will ease and tomorrow is expected to be a clear but very white Christmas.
Watching the beautiful Ogama Cooking Onsen at dusk last night. Highly recommended!
Base at top: 65 cm
Temp at Top: +1 Degree
Base at Uenotaira station: 20 cm
New snow since close: 0cm
Weather: Mostly Cloudy
Its a moody warm morning in the village today in the town of Nozawa Onsen. Overcast conditions prevail and for the past 24 hours extremely warm temperatures, reaching upwards of 15C in the village, have resulted to some damage to the lower slopes. Luckily a repair is fast en route, courtesy of a Siberian freight train of cold air and snow. This morning the freezing level will sit at 1300m, expected to drop to 750m by tonight in combination with a heavy snowfalls.
Today on the hill will be icy at the summit, grading to slushy and rain affected on the lower slopes. Sounds unappetising however these such days with low expectations can often deliver surprisingly fun turns. It certainly is hard to have a bad day on the slopes!
Yesterday much of the mountain was on wind hold. It certainly was an excellent day to explore the regions rich cultural and natural heritage. Soaking in one of the village free onsens, exploring the nearby towns, visiting the biologically unique Jigokudani Snow Monkeys or perhaps a trip to the the mythical mountain view Maguse Onsen.
The model predictions are still locked and loaded with quality snow. An excellent forecast for Nozawa Onsen. Heavy to moderate snow showers lowering to 500m tomorrow, clearing for an beautiful bluebird Christmas Day. Further ahead, we have one last tropical incursion to clear on Monday and then hopefully its all systems go as a winter weather pattern settles in for the season. Good dumps are expected for Wednesday and Friday next week.
Dramatic Sunrise Nozawa Onsen Base at top: 95 cm Temp at Top: +5 Degree Base at Uenotaira station: 65 cm
New snow since close: 0cm
Weather: Cloudy
Dawn Sunrise in Nozawa Onsen, and a dramatic bank of cloud illuminated by the morning sun is reflecting red onto the land. A spectacle of nature, and a dramatic warning of powerful weather ahead. For now at least conditions are calm and warm in the village. Over the valley the towering volcano Mt Myoko stands cloud free in the soft morning light.
As the forecast stands, if you are interested in skiing today, get up there early. The weather is stable now, spring conditions on snow. It is warm, hopefully the pistes won’t have such an icy component as they did yesterday. But by mid morning onwards it will probably be quite miserable on the hill as rain fronts move over Nozawa Onsen from the South. These fronts will build in intensity, becoming more dramatic as the day moves on.
Will be a good day to check out some of the other local attractions, the myriad of onsens, or perhaps a Nozawa Holidays Snow Monkeys Tour.
Yesterday was beautiful and surprisingly icy in Nozawa Onsen. The pistes remained firm for much of the day, especially up high. Only those slopes that were directly hit by the suns rays softened through the afternoon. Nevertheless it was a good day to be up on the hill with astounding views all the way to the Sea of Japan and the majestic alpine regions surrounding.
The outlook for the week ahead remains much the same as predicted yesterday. Tomorrow north westerly winds will bring snow and cold temperatures to Nozawa Onsen. They will build in intensity during the day, peaking overnight. Christmas Eve will see continued light flurries and occasional heavier falls. Christmas Day still looks like it will be the day; clear skies, cold temperatures and plentiful fresh snow.
The rice harvest (Inakari) has just started here in Nozawa Onsen. Some of you may already know – rice farming here in the valley has a history that far outreaches the snow sports industry! In fact you could almost say it is the main way of life for most villagers here in town. Nagano and Niigata prefectures are said to produce the best quality rice – with all of that fresh water flowing down the mountain through our fields and the clean country air we have here – you can see why!
Traditionally, rice was planted and harvested by hand. It is then hung to dry and mature for a few weeks, before being removed from the grass and milled – turning it into the delicious white rice we still produce here in town.
Modern innovation has seen the rise of the combine harvester and planting techniques that no longer require this hands on approach. However some families here in town still do it the traditional way – it is said the taste and texture of the rice is more desirable having matured naturally outside. The verdict? You will have to come and try for yourself!
