Lodge Nagano

22/09/2020

Shaun Mittwollen has been photographing the Japanese Alps, specifically the Nozawa Onsen region, for almost a decade. Over that time he has amassed quite a collection of stunning imagery that was often featured here on the Nozawa Onsen snow reports which he wrote daily between 2012 and 2017. During 2020 he has slowly been building up his website to display and sell prints of the Japanese Alps. If you’ve seen a really nice photo of Nozawa Onsen, theres a good chance that you’ll be able to find it in this gallery. And if you like what you see the prints are available on exquisite Hahnemuhle paper with sizes ranging from 30cm to 150cm and speedy international delivery. Shaun hopes to return to Nozawa Onsen as normal life returns to deliver more beautiful imagery and of course, the simple pleasure of skiing in and around the idyllic village.

Visions of the Japanese AlpsSkiing in Japan is a juxtaposition as to what one expects from this unique country. While the cities are a buzz of neon lights and electric technology, venture into the alps and rural farmland and the story is far removed. A cultured pace of life circulating around the se...

01/01/2020

Beautiful start to the New Year in Nozawa Onsen
Was a magical night around the village yesterday to bring in the new year and a new decade!
Lots of people lining the streets and making their way to the temple or the fireworks. Was almost majestic as the villagers rang the bell 108 times and the snow lofted silently in the background.

Snow Report 1st of January 2020
Temp at the top;-9degrees
New snow since close; 20cm
Base at the top; 80cm
Snow conditions; Great conditions with some fresh
Weather; Cloudy with light winds

The snow fell most of yesterday and into the night, not heavy but nice and fluffy. Will make for some great conditions on the slopes today. The forecast is looking good with snow almost everyday this week on the mountain. If keen to visit Nozawa this year just click here to book
https://www.nozawaholidays.com/bookings/

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best for 2020. Thanks to everyone for visiting us in Nozawa and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Akemash*te Omedetou Gozaimasu 明けましておめでとうございます

23/12/2019

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort Opens Today!

Great news out of Nozawa Onsen this morning. Santa has arrived early delivering snow and blessing us with enough to open the Ski Resort today.
The resort will open from 11am once the groomers have gone in and done their thing.
Just up at Yamabiko at this stage with courses C and D opening up for today. More may open tomorrow and definitely Saturday with a huge snow storm expected Friday where we should see more than 50cm fall across the resort.
Lift Passes today are discounted to 2000 Yen for Adults and 1500 Yen for kids. Regular prices and full day opening should return tomorrow.

The Forecast going forward looks really good with lots of Snow and cold temps expected thru into the New Year.
So looks like Winter proper has finally arrived to Nozawa Onsen, apologies for the wait :)
We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from all of us here and we look forward to welcoming you soon
If still keen to come up this season please jump on the site and make a booking https://www.nozawaholidays.com
We look forward to a great season ahead. Arigatou Gozaimash*ta

06/12/2019

Welcome to Winter in Nozawa Onsen

We went to bed waiting for this dump to arrive, walking back from the Onsen and the skies were clear.
Waking up this morning to this was a very welcome surprise. It probably started in the early hours of this morning and has just ramped up with some big flakes lofting down now.
Nice cold temps in the village at the moment and forecast to stay cold with more snow the next few days ahead of some sunshine.
Will it be enough for the resort to open tomorrow? Will keep you posted but not overly confident yet
At this stage the forecast is expecting another good dump next weekend so keep your fingers crossed.
Some of our guests have been heading to Shiga Kogen and Ryuoo Park which are both open and having a lot of fun on the runs there. Conditions there will have only improved with this fall. For now enjoy these flakes and keep them coming.
If keen to get in on the action this winter head to the site and request a quote for a great Ski Holiday in Nozawa Onsen https://www.nozawaholidays.com/

22/11/2019

When Autumn meets Winter from Nozawa.
Another great shot from yesterday of that magnificent view of the Village and slopes as you round the bend into Nozawa.
Also a shot of around this time 7 seasons ago! The resort opened in the 1st of December that year 2012.
Looking at the web cams up top today and it looks skiable now but think is still a while away.
Check out our loose predictions for the season ahead in Nozawa here https://www.nozawaholidays.com/news/nozawa-onsen-transforming-to-winter/
❄️ 📷 and Masaki Kono arigato

https://www.nozawaholidays.com/news/nozawa-onsen-transforming-to-winter/

Nozawa Onsen Transforming to Winter Two great shots taken almost exactly 7 years apart of the village of Nozawa Onsen in November. It is always an amazing feeling when you drive around that bend and see the village with the majestic slopes rising up behind it. Even after doing it for 30 years it nev...

13/11/2019

Already booked your Ski Trip to Nozawa?

Now is a good time to book any extra services you may need to help with the Perfect Holiday.

Here is a link below to book the following:
- Airport or Inter Resort Transfers
- Ski or Snowboard Lessons
- Ski and Snowboard Rentals
- Tours to the famous Snow Monkeys
- A photo shoot on the slopes

http://www.nozawaholidays.com/services/
Just fill in the forms and let us know if any questions. Look forward to seeing you on the slopes!

Snow Services Nozawa Onsen We try to do as much as we can to make your visit both easy and enjoyable and offer any services you need when in Nozawa. We can sort anything you need to make your snow holiday in Nozawa perfect. For instance, we’ve found our guests like the convenience of having a gear...

08/11/2019

Snovember has started in Nozawa!

The first snow falls for Japan have been recorded around the country and yesterday was our turn with the first lovely blanket of white gracing Mt Kenashi.
Just a dusting but always looks pretty and an encouraging sign that Winter is on its way!Has been getting cold in town the last few days and the Fire is on.

Good news is the mid range forecast is now showing a cold front and some decent snowfalls forecast for late next week. Will it be enough to open the resort on the 23rd of November?

It can change a lot between now and then but always nice to see those snow figures on the charts.
Winter is coming! We never really know what we are going to get snow wise for the season. Long range forecasts are just that forecasts, but here is a guide to what we normally get month by month in Nozawa each year to give you an idea ; https://www.nozawaholidays.com/snow-conditions/
Photo Yoshiko MIhara arigatou

24/10/2019

Still Rooms in Nozawa for Peak Season!

It’s a perfect opportunity to book as there has just had a cancellation at Lodge Nagano for 2 beautiful Japanese Style Tatami rooms with awesome views in January.

Check in ; 13th of January 2020
Check out ; 24th of January 2020

Be in Nozawa for the famous Fire Festival and for some of the best snow you will ever experience. The Fire Festival is on the 15th of January and is a celebration for a plentiful harvest, good fortune, prosperity in life and health in the next year and quite a spectacle to watch.

They are perfect dates for School Holidays and the rooms are right next door to each other so great for families, together will sleep 5 people.

Lodge Nagano is one of the most popular lodges in town, operating for 14 seasons this year. They were the pioneers of introducing Nozawa Onsen to overseas skiers and boarders back in 2006.

Here is a link to details https://www.nozawaholidays.com/p…/lodge-nagano-nozawa-onsen/

It is also the top rated lodge on Trip Advisor and can see what people have to say about the lodge here
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g1120620-d11401…

Just click on this link to book https://www.nozawaholidays.com/bookings/
or drop a mail to [email protected]

18/10/2019

Getting back on track in Nagano

Just an update on the clean up situation in Iiyama and Nagano in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis which hit the area badly just last weekend.
Still a lot of work to be done and the local councils are still looking for Volunteers to help.
If you can lend some time or want to donate some funds here are some links from the local JET Teachers

https://naganojets.wordpress.com/2019/10/14/call-for-aid-donations-for-disaster-hit-areas/

If you are keen to come up and help great to see you and Lodge Nagano is offering free accommodation to anyone that is willing to volunteer so just drop a mail to [email protected] and will help you get sorted. A big thanks to everyone that has been helping out so far. Otsukaresama desu.

Bullet trains are coming back
Some good news on the Train front with Japan Rail announcing it will have the Shinkansens back in operation between Tokyo and Kanazawa by next Friday the 25th of October.
This includes stopping at Iiyama Station which is the gateway to Nozawa Onsen. The number of trains on this route the Hokuriku Shinkansen will be running at 80% capacity for now due to the damaged trains in the Typhoon. The schedule will be announced on Wednesday, October 23 and they will continue to increase the number of train operations as soon as possible. So confident all will be back to normal well and truly in time for the Ski Season.

13/10/2019

Welcome to a Sunny Sunday Slide from Nozawa Onsen

This was March 24th 2018 and a beautiful time of year on the slopes in Nozawa
We love March in Nozawa with the base still usually over 300cm and top to bottom skiing
Very few people on the slopes and still some dumps of fresh snow
This was a Saturday so a few folk from Tokyo up but on the week days it can be just you sometimes.
Have to love those blue clear sky days and the amazing views from the top of Mt Kenashi
Bring on the Spring in Nozawa https://www.nozawaholidays.com/march-is-magic-in-nozawa-onsen/

02/10/2019

The Shin-Etsu Trail, which is literally on the door step of Nozawa Onsen was just recently named as one of the most stunning walking trails in Japan.

Regarded as the best woodland trail in Japan, this 80-kilometre route traces a line similar to that taken by traders and samurai warriors as far back as AD 710. It incorporates a string of 16 picturesque passes from Mount Madarao to Lake Nojiri, reaching an elevation of just over 1000 metres at its highest point as it straddles the Nagano and Niigata prefectures. Scenery spans the volcanic landscapes of mounts Hakama and Kenashi, as well as lush forests of ghostly beech trees standing tall and defiant in this alpine environment.

Now is the perfect time to be in the Mountains to hike with cooling temperatures and the leaves changing colours. We are running hiking tours of the Shin-Etsu trail and you can stay in the comfort of one of our Mountain Lodges or Apartments in Nozawa Onsen and relax in a hotspring at the end of a day hiking. Here is a link to look and book
https://www.nozawaholidays.com/shin-etsu-trail-hike/

https://www.qantas.com/travelinsider/en/experiences/adventure/best-hiking-trails-routes-walks-nakasendo-japan.html?fbclid=IwAR3VE3VzldwoQoMkNmYREvjSpBZd86WuyDyQS5F9n2mlsY_btZ98o08jC0k

Experience Japan’s natural beauty on its best walking and hiking trails – including the Nakasendō, Shikoku Pilgrimage and Kumano Kodo.

02/10/2019

Season Pass prices for Nozawa Onsen for the coming season have been released and just a slight increase on the past few seasons. The first increase in several years.

At 67,500 for Adults you can get a lot of value with the season running from December until May 6th. Considering the great value for food in the village and on the hill Nozawa is a terrific option for any length of stay.

Consider coming up for the whole season or for parts of it, if on a budget and with some time constraints and lets face it that is most of us, consider the awesome Spring Season deal. At just 36,500 Yen, if you ski a whole month it works out at just 1000 Yen a day! Valid from 1st of March until the end of the Season.

Wouldn't you like to look at those views every day!
Check out more details here
https://www.nozawaholidays.com/news/season-pass-prices-nozawa-2019/