Search Results:
Nozawa Onsen Report – Sunday
Nasuki the Nozawa Onsen mascot posing with fans outside the Nagasaka Gondola.
New Snow (Resort): 0cm
New Snow (Village): 0cm
Weather: Partly cloudy
Snow Depth: 265cm (Yamabiko)
Outlook: Good snowfall expected throughout the week
Open Areas: All courses open except for Grand Prix and Jumping Course
It’s another busy weekend in Nozawa. It has been a few days since the last snow fall, and although the slopes should be thinning out and softening up at the moment, this morning it was very firm and fast. It has been a while since the last new snow and even longer since any knee deep madness on the lower steeps. It looks like we may get a few good powder days this week, with a front to come through and heavy snow expected later in the week.
Firm and fast on Nagasaka this morning. There was a 15-20 minute wait for the Nagasaka Gondola this morning, as is usual for a Sunday afternoon the crowds have now thinned out considerably. In the background you can see Togari Ski Resort across the valley.
Myoko Kogen snow report 31st January 2010
It is a warm, still morning here in Akakura Onsen with only a few clouds in the sky. It has been a few days since the last snowfall so we can expect the resorts to be fairly tracked out and the runs to be pretty fast this morning. Temperatures are predicted to fall steadily throughout the week and it should start snowing lightly from tomorrow evening. Heavy snow is forecast for Tuesday night and moderate to light snow for the rest of the week. It will be a nice change to see the snowy Akakura we know and love return!
New Snow (Resort): 0 cm
New Snow (Village): 0 cm
Weather: Light cloud and a light southwesterly breeze of around 15km/h.
Official statistics:
| Resort | Status | Base yesterday (cm) | Base today (cm) | Current temperature | Current weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suginohara | All areas open | 200 | 200 | -2 | Fine |
| Ikenotaira | All areas open | 225 | 225 | -2 | Fine |
| Akakura Kanko | All areas open | 230 | 220 | -2 | Fine |
| Akakura Onsen | All areas open plus night skiing 5:00 ~ 9:00 | 225 | 220 | -1 | Fine |
| Madarao | All areas open | 200 | 200 | -3 | Fine |
| Seki Onsen | All areas open | 480 | 480 | -3 | Fine |
A panoramic view back towards Tangram Ski Circus from Akakura Kanko
 |
| From Myoko Panorama |
Click here to check out what’s happening in Nozawa Onsen today
Paradise 31st January
Another bluebird day in the making, slopes are groomed to perfection, and it will be quite hard and fast. Weekend crowds were out in force and skiing was quite icy in sections yesterday, looks like being more of the same today. Some nice falls are expected a little later in the week .
Another Bluebird Day .....
Myoko Kogen snow report Saturday 30th January 2010
It is an overcast morning here in Akakura Onsen today. No new snow overnight, and with a fairly warm day yesterday it will probably be a fairly hard surface out there this morning.
Temperatures are expected to be just above freezing down here at village level again today and tomorrow before a blast of cold weather and heavy snow early next week. The snow should continue right through to Thursday and bring some much needed repair to the crusty freeze/thaw surface we have at the moment.
New Snow (Resort): 0 cm
New Snow (Village): 0 cm
Weather: Light cloud and a light westerly breeze of around 15km/h.
Official statistics:
| Resort | Status | Base yesterday (cm) | Base today (cm) | Current temperature | Current weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suginohara | All areas open | 200 | 200 | -3 | Cloudy |
| Ikenotaira | All areas open | 225 | 225 | -2 | Cloudy |
| Akakura Kanko | All areas open | 230 | 230 | -3 | Cloudy |
| Akakura Onsen | All areas open plus night skiing 5:00 ~ 9:00 | 225 | 225 | -3 | Cloudy |
| Madarao | All areas open | 200 | 200 | -5 | Cloudy |
| Seki Onsen | All areas open | 480 | 480 | -5 | Cloudy |
Ikenotaira ski area is famous for it’s park features and also has a beginner park called the “Happy Park”
 |
| From Myoko – Ikenotaira pics |
Click here to check out what’s happening in Nozawa Onsen today
Paradise 30th January
No overnight snow, it was a fantastic full moon and the slopes were glowing ( sort of ) , we have few flurries and some high cloud at the moment, it looks like the groomers will be the pick today.
Nozawa Onsen Report – Friday
New Snow (Resort): 10cm (Yamabiko)
New Snow (Village): 5cm
Weather: Cloudy
Snow Depth: 290cm (Yamabiko)
Outlook: Fine tomorrow, more snow expected next week.
Open Areas: All courses open except for Grand Prix and Jumping Course
The sun is out at the moment in Nozawa Onsen, some new snow fell over night although reports coming in off the mountain are that it is quite wet and crusty underneath. It was actually a bit of a surprise to find out that we had any snow at all this morning, as last night it stayed warm and snowless until at least I got to bed at midnight.
The forecast is for some light snow over the weekend and then a front to come through bringing heavy snow early next week.
Myoko Kogen snow report Friday 29th January 2010
White is the new black
After a miserable rainy morning yesterday, then a foggy afternoon and a clear night early on, I had assumed that the snow was not going to come. Boy was I wrong! There is at least 15cm on the ground in the village and I would think around 30cm higher up in the resorts (calculated guess only – maybe I’m just excited because it’s not raining anymore). Although this will be sitting on top of a crusty base from yesterdays appalling conditions, it should go some way to easing the pain.
The current light northwesterly wind is forecast to strengthen and turn westerly in the afternoon as the light snow eases to snow showers over the next few days. Temperatures are predicted to be up around 2 degrees C for Saturday and Sunday down here in the village with the possibility of more rain. It will fall as snow higher up in the resorts, and from Monday night to the end of the forecast period there is a lot of snow coming our way, with the heaviest falls on Tuesday night.
New Snow (Resort): ~30 cm (calculated guess, could be wrong…)
New Snow (Village): ~15 cm (observed)
Weather: Light northwesterly wind and light snow. Temperatures just below zero today. Decreased visibility due to snow.
Official statistics:
| Resort | Status | Base yesterday (cm) | Base today (cm) | Current temperature | Current weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suginohara | All areas open | 200 | 200 | 0 | Snow |
| Ikenotaira | All areas open | 220 | 225 | 0 | Snow |
| Akakura Kanko | All areas open | 220 | 230 | -1 | Snow |
| Akakura Onsen | All areas open plus night skiing 5:00 ~ 9:00 | 230 | 225 | -2 | Snow |
| Madarao | All areas open | ~ | 200 | -3 | Snow |
| Seki Onsen | All areas open | ~ | 480 | -3 | Snow |
The world has turned white again after rain stripped away all the snow on the roofs and tree branches
 |
| From Myoko Kogen – 29/1/2010 |
Click here to check out what’s happening in Nozawa Onsen today
Paradise 29th January
Woke this morning to find about 4″ of new snow, with light snow still falling , after yesterdays mild temps and rain my guess is that it is going to be very hard underfoot with frozen chop . Up higher around Yamabiko might be a bit better .
Quick update…just back in , temps are still quite mild which has resulted in a sort of half freeze of the base, so not quite so harsh on the knees, hit up under Yamabiko chair for a few boot deep pow runs , also tried a tree run off Utopia which was quite soft .
Workplace Health and Safety !!!!!
Akakura-yama back country mission
On a slightly overcast Monday morning, eight eager back country lovers assembled at the Shin-Akakura head office of local guiding company MBSS (Myoko Backcountry Ski School). Six of the party including our guide, Bill Ross were to travel on skis while the remaining two chose to slide on boards and climb on snowshoes. All participants were, as always, required to carry the basic safety equipment necessary for trips beyond resort boundaries; an avalanche beacon, a shovel, and a probe as well as packed lunches (“onigiri” – Japanese rice balls – being the most popular option) and extra warm layers in case of sudden weather changes such as are common in alpine environments. So, with everyone prepared we set off for Suginohara ski resort.
 |
| From Myoko Kogen – Akakura-yama |
The original plan had been to ride the lifts to the top of the resort then make our way on foot up Mitahara-yama, but on our arrival at the ticket booth we were saddened to hear that the top lift was closed for maintenance. And so the goal was changed to Akakura-yama, accessible from the top of the gondola. A quick ride on said lift, then a short ski across to the start of the hike and it was time to prepare for climbing. Skiers applied their skins and snowboarders strapped their boards on their backs – everyone stripped down to the bare minimum of layers preparing for the two hour climb ahead. A quick check of everyone’s beacons in case anything untoward should occur, and we began our climb.
 |
| From Myoko Kogen – Akakura-yama |
Characteristic of the area, we walked through a beautiful beach forest up a gentle incline and along a summer road, now closed for winter due to the heavy snow falls of the area. It is a great way to experience the alpine environment, with no noisy lifts or crowded ski runs, just us and the trees, animals and snow. After about three quarters of an hour, the terrain got a bit steeper and we began to climb for real. Although not steep by mountaineering standards, it was enough to get the blood pumping. Embracing the easy mood of the day we moved along without haste and taking several breaks for re hydration as necessary. Unfortunately the weather was closing in a little and by the time we reached our destination there was a cool wind and the view of the valley was beginning to be obscured as the snowflakes began to fall.
 |
| From Myoko Kogen – Akakura-yama |
The ride down was too much fun – winding through the beautiful beech trees, laying our tracks in the untouched snow we had come to find. Despite the fact that it had not snowed the night before conditions were still good and everyone had a ball. We came across a nice little tree pillow and three adventurous members of the party gleefully launched themselves off it.
After the first steeper section the terrain mellowed out and we meandered over the landscape following the guidance of Bill from MBSS down to the Ikenotaira ski resort. Reaching our final destination, with smiles all round, the party rode the free Mt. Myoko shuttle back to our starting point at Suginohara ski area.
 |
| From Myoko Kogen – Akakura-yama |
Getting outside the ski areas and into the mountains is a great experience – away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts and into nature. There are lots of different mountains around the Myoko area with options for all fitness and skiing ability levels. A trip into the back country adds another dimension to any ski holiday in the Myoko area and I highly recommend it to lovers of nature and alpine adventures.
As always, knowledge of the local mountains and routes, as well as sufficient training in avalanche awareness and mountaineering techniques and the proper equipment are vital to ensure safety whilst enjoying the mountains. Those without the necessary knowledge or equipment can still enjoy the back country thanks to guiding companies such as MBSS. For more information about the services they offer and tours they have planned, go to the English version of the Myoko Backcountry Ski School web page by clicking on the company name anywhere in this post or by following the link below.
Myoko Kogen snow report Thursday 28th January 2010 – rain rain go away
“Rain rain go away, come back later as snow I say!”
Which about sums it up – a rainy day here in Akakura Onsen, with temperatures well above zero and expected to stay there until later tonight at village level. It should be snowing up the top of the resorts at the moment, although it will most likely be fairly wet snow (still better than rain!) and there is a very strong westerly wind of around 55 km/h up there so upper lifts may not be running today.
The winds are expected to ease by this evening and light snow and snow showers are predicted right through until Tuesday of next week. Let’s hope they come early and heavy to repair some of the damage being done right now.
It’s the perfect day for checking out an Onsen, and the Myoko region is blessed with three different sources of Onsen water to choose for your soak; one clear, one reddish and one milky. Each has different mineral contents and associated beneficial qualities, and all originate from the majestic Mt. Myoko. So time to take a break from the daily grind of skiing powder and rejuvenate in a natural hot spring bath….
The Onsen at Hotel Mumon
New Snow (Resort): 0 cm
New Snow (Village): 0 cm
Weather: Moderate westerly winds, heavy rain. Poor visibility and soggy conditions for those brave enough to slide today.
Official statistics:
| Resort | Status | Base yesterday (cm) | Base today (cm) | Current temperature | Current weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suginohara | All areas open | 220 | 200 | 3 | Rain |
| Ikenotaira | All areas open | 235 | 220 | 2 | Rain |
| Akakura Kanko | All areas open | 240 | 220 | 2 | Rain |
| Akakura Onsen | All areas open plus night skiing 5:00 ~ 9:00 | 240 | 230 | 1 | Rain |
| Madarao | All areas open | 210 | ~ | ~ | Rain |
| Seki Onsen | All areas open | 480 | ~ | ~ | Rain |
Click here to check out what’s happening in Nozawa Onsen today
Navigating this page
Use this to check rates and work out the cost of your holiday in 8 currencies. If you like what you see you can send away a booking enquiry.
Find out more about the accommodation, view images and read reviews.
All you need to do is send us a quick message if you have any questions or want to make an enquiry!
Location Key
5
5
5
5