Winter 2015-2016 Issue 4
Incorporating Madarao Kogen
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Welcome to Nozawa Onsen, deep in the heart of Japan’s snow country. A common question from first-time visitors is “Why does it snow so much?”
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t’s a great question, because if you looked at a world map, you would find Nozawa Onsen at about the same latitude as Algeria or Tunisia in North Africa, places known for hot and dry, not cold and snowy. The answer is that a combination of cold weather blows down from the Siberian hinterlands and the Arctic Sea, picks up moisture over the Sea of Japan, and then suddenly hits the mountains in Nagano,
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resulting in huge snowfall. As the crow flies, Nozawa Onsen is just over 30km from the coast, and is perfectly placed to take advantage of this phenomenon. Nozawa’s neighbour, Sakae-mura, holds the record for the deepest snow in any inhabited part of Japan. The snow depth there hit an incredible 7.85m on February 12, 1945. That was measured right by the train station!
Nozawa Onsen has a rich history that extends back long before anyone took to the slopes to ski. Legend has it that the village was founded by a Buddhist monk in 724 AD. According to that story, the monk discovered the natural hot springs flowing underneath the village. Another legend says that a wounded bear revealed the hot springs to a hunter. Archeological digs have found ruins of dwellings and pottery that point to
settlements dating back some 3,000 years. Whatever did happen, the hot springs at Nozawa emerge at ground level, which means they would not have been difficult to locate or to put to use. The “Onsen” in Nozawa Onsen is the Japanese word for natural hot-spring. Communal bathing with total strangers is perhaps the most quintessentially Japanese thing that visitors to Japan can try. The water passes through several rock layers and contains many minerals believed to have special healing powers. The smell alone will tell you that the water is sulphurous. Most of
the thirty or so sources, with the exception of the “Kuma no Te” (Bear’s Paw) bathhouse, range from forty to a scalding ninety degrees Centigrade. Such high temperatures allow the cooking of food, so you can see locals using the water to boil eggs and cook sweet buns called “manju”. The first bathhouse was built for a visiting samurai warlord in the Middle Ages. The construction resulted in a set of rules on how to manage the hot springs that are still in use today. They include the banning of boring for onsen water and using only natural springs, not
water that is artificially heated. There are thirteen free public bathhouses at Nozawa Onsen, and we recommend trying all of them. Like a pub crawl, many visitors enjoy an onsen crawl or “hashigo” as it is called in Japanese. The development of Nozawa as an onsen town is directly reflected in the overwhelmingly Japanese frontage of the buildings lining the narrow walkable streets in the village. Unlike other ski areas in Japan, the existence of a four-season onsen-based tourist trade has counteracted the overwhelmingly European influence of skiing, allow
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ing Nozawa to retain a welcoming and nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. We strongly recommend strolling through the streets in the evenings, past the open fronts of the souvenir shops and the illuminated facades of the ryokan and bathhouses like O-yu. The roads are heated, so you won’t have to trudge through snow. Skiing was introduced to Nozawa Onsen 101 years ago, making this area the birthplace of skiing in Japan. The ski club was formed in the village in 1923. In 1930, Hannes Schneider arrived from the Austrian alpine village of St. Anton and further developed Nozawa’s ski culture by teaching the Arberg skiing technique. Schneider is still talked about in awe in Nozawa Onsen and has one of the best runs at the resort named after him. St. Anton is the sister resort to Nozawa and both villages maintain friendly relations, including year skiing exchanges by local students. You can find out more details in a visit to the Japan Ski Museum in the center of Nozawa itself. The resort is located on Mt. Kenashi, which despite all the trees means “Mt. Hairless” or perhaps “Mt. Bald”. Kenashi rises to an altitude of just 1,650 meters, giving you more oxygen, less UV, and far less chance of altitude sickness than many European resorts. With the abundant hot springs, it should come as no surprise that the mountain is an old volcano. The other non-surprise is that the resort uses exclusively natural snow and does not have snow-making. The first ski lift was erected at Nozawa in 1950 and was strung together by wooden towers. Hikage, the first of the two gondolas was built in 1979. The longer
Nagasaka stand-up gondola was added in 1990. Along with the two gondolas, four quads, three triples, and nine pairs service a vast area, with the additional “Yu-Road” moving walkway saving your legs en route from the O-yu side of the village to the Hikage gondola. The ski area offers over 1,000 meters of leg-burning vertical with runs to match all levels. If you are on a slope that’s too hard or too easy, just check the course map and try somewhere else. Nozawa Onsen came to international attention as one of the hosts of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. The biathlon (combined cross-country skiing and shooting) events were held in the village. You can see reminders in the large manhole covers decorating the village’s streets. We’ll finish by bringing your attention to the undoubted taste of Nozawa, Nozawa-na pickles. Nozawa-na is a brassica (cabbage family) leafy vegetable introduced into the region from Kansai. Its leaves and stalks are eaten almost exclusively as pickles in two forms, “asazuke”, a lighter, bright green pickle kept in brine and sold pretty much throughout Japan, and “hon-zuke”, the saltier, dull-coloured pickle which keeps far longer and you’ll only authentically find in Nozawa itself. Locals make huge amounts of hon-zuke using the onsen water and you’ll see a pot of complementary pickles on the table at many restaurants and lodges in the village. Do give them a try. If you have ever wondered what snow-bound people used to eat in the days before supermarkets and trucking and food miles, the answer is right there!
DON’T MISS DECEMBER 31st New Year’s Countdown Head to the Hikage slopes for an evening of night skiing until 11:30pm. Then get ready for the countdown to 2014. Fireworks will bring in the New Year.
JANUARY 9th & MARCH 19th Smile Winter Festival Give thanks to winter with Japanese “taiko” drummers, free sake and a paper, scissors, rock competition. Located in the onsen area of O-yu Street.
JANUARY 15th Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival This is one of the biggest fire festivals held in Japan. Watch the 25 and 42 year old village members do battle before the sacred pavilion.
FEBRUARY 14th & MARCH 14th Chocolate Fondue Service On Valentine’s Day is the ladies of Japan who give out chocolate to their male friends and loved ones. The guys then repay this kindness on March 14th, called White Day. Enjoy chocolate fondue on both days from 10:30am at Hikage Slopes.
MARCH 5th Winter Holy Light Festival An exciting night of fireworks, sacred lanterns and torch light skiing, make it an evening to remember. At Hikage Slopes from 19:30.
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¥5,800
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猿 ○ ~ The tour schedule ~
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pre-or r o 12:45~ Commence checking in f s t f gi special e v a h 13:15 Depart from Nozawa-onsen. e W su or . or nsen Kot 14:05 Arrive at the monkey park’s parking. ociation Nozawa-o s s A m s i tion. Tour ccommoda a / wa-onsen s a l Hike up about 25 mins from here. e z o t N o king : Reception at local h o o B 14:30 ~ 15:30 Enjoy the Monkey Park. 15:55 Depart from the Parking. 16:45 Return to Nozawa-onsen
主催：（株）スギヤマトラベル 東京都知事登録２－３３７３
委託販売・運行：のざわ温泉交通（株）長野県知事登録旅行業者代理業 第５６号
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Nozawa Connect met up with husband and wife team Yuto & Manami Ueno and their five year old daughter Sumire. Both are ex-World Cup skiers. When did you start skiing? Yuta I am from Nozawa Onsen so skiing is basically in my blood. At elementary school, students usually choose between ski jumping, cross country or downhill skiing, I chose downhill because it seemed like the most fun! After high school I entered college near Tokyo on a ski program. There is not much snow in Tokyo so we travelled to the mountains every weekend. Summers were spent in New Zealand on training camps. Manami I’m from Yokohama near Tokyo, I started skiing when I was only two years old. Most weekends and during school holidays in winter, I would stay with my grandparents who lived near a ski resort. I joined the local racing team. My first visit to Nozawa was when I first raced on the Kandahar downhill course. When did you both meet? Yuta We were both on the inter-college racing circuit. I was actually good friends with Manami’s brother. She looked like a proper athlete. Manami I first saw Yuta in a ski magazine and I thought he was cool. We were introduced and things just led from there. You both changed disciplines from Downhill to freestyle. Why? Manami Yuta was already starting to go out on his own, not on his racing skis but on much more wider ones and enjoying himself in the park. It sounded like fun so I joined him as well. At that time there wasn’t a freestyle team in Japan so I had to train in America.
Yuta Freestyle skiing was so much more fun for me. It was so challenging. Manami, you competed at the Sochi Olympics. Manami Yes, the Olympics were truly amazing. It was so much more difficult than the World Cup circuit. The media presence was so intense over the few weeks I was there. I actually didn’t do too well with a couple of falls but the experience will live with me forever. When did you open the Compass House? Yuta We opened the store seven years ago. It sounds crazy but at that time you couldn’t rent or buy any powder skis here in Nozawa Onsen. Manami We have had a chance to visit many ski shops around the world. We wanted to create a ski shop with not only first class products but also a store with a good vibe, where customers could drop in for a coffee as well as buy the latest goods. I hear you are opening a new store for this winter. Yuta Yes, we are opening a rental store opposite the Nagasaka Gondola. The shop is called Mt. Dock and will have a wide range of quality skis for everyone to enjoy the powder as well as the groomers. We had a test opening last season and everything went well and it proved to be very popular. Manami It will be open from 8:00am through to 5:00pm with some great rental gear. We
are so excited about it. What is a typical day like for you in winter? Manami I drop off my daughter, Sumire at Kindergarten and check into Mt. Dock and choose a ski depending on the conditions of the day. I do a few runs, then head over to Yuta’s parents mountain restaurant, Buna, and help with the lunches. After lunch I head down to Compass House and help any female customers with their purchases. Yuta I am so busy in winter, though I do get to ski nearly every day with customers testing out new skis. Luckily we live above the store so we can always have dinner together. Family time is important for both of us. How about the green season? Yuta In summer we switch over to MTBing and road cycling. I made a single track course under the gondola. There are also some great road routes along the river or over the mountain to Shiga Kogen. Manami I have just started to get into triathlons. We have a new team here in Nozawa Onsen. It’s a great place to train. Questions for Sumire Winter or summer – Winter, snow it is fluffy. Cycling or Skiing? Skiing, because I can jump Ramen or curry? Ramen. It’s yummy! Favorite onsen? Kumanotearayu- it’s not too hot!
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n Japan, men aged 25 or 42 are believed to be vulnerable to bad luck and every year on January 15th the village’s 25 year old literally beat off baying locals trying to set fire to a 3 story pavilion with the village’s 42 year olds on top. Sounds like bad luck alright! After summer has slipped away and the village seems relatively peaceful without the hordes of tourists. The locals who will be 25 on January 15 start the long process of venturing into the local forests to collect firewood for the coming winter season’s Fire Festival or Dosojin as it is called in Japanese. Not just any old wood can be used, the trees selected need to be a certain diameter and over 18 meters in height. Before the trees are logged the villagers head down into the forests and pray for the mountain gods for protection and safety against any mis-hap-
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penings. Sake, white rice are offered on the “altar” while the 25 year olds all pray together for self purification rites. The first Nozawa Onsen fire festival began in 1863 as a means of praying for a plentiful harvest, health and good luck in the coming year. It is one of the three grandest fire festivals in Japan and the only of the three to be held in deep mid winter. Sometimes this can cause a problem when heavy snow falls during the days preceding and on the day itself can render the firewood wet and very difficult to be lit. Two days before the festival gets underway the 25 and 42 year olds are called for again to drag the now “sacred” logs down through the village from Hiakge Ski area to the fire festival site. Japanese sake is offered by the local villagers along the route
to the workers as well as passers by.
In fact Japanese sake is used a lot in the fire festival for mainly two reasons one being the purification of the tress as well as getting drunk. They both sound great! When all the logs are at the festival site the construction begins. This commences on the morning of the 14th and continued sometimes through the night and finished on the morning of the 15th. Due to the dangerous work, during construction the builders must refrain from drinking any alcohol – a good reason to give their liver a rest. A pavilion is made about seven meters high with the trees protruding about another ten me-
ters or so. The pavilion needs to be sturdy as this will hold the 42 year olds. On the day of the festival the flame is lit by the Kono family at Terayu Onsen and then brought down to the festival site. The battles start at 8.30 with the torch bearers attacking the pavilion. The 25 year olds have to fight off these and defend the lower part. The fighting is intense and dangerous for all those involved. But in the end inevitably the torch bearers win and the whole pavilion goes up in flames. We hope you can enjoy the fire festival while you are in Nozawa. If you missed it not too worry it will be on again next year!
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Shinden-no-yu Bathhouse While the water you can see flowing from the mouth of the lion appears clear and colorless, the water in the bathtub is slightly milky.
Kamitera-yu Bathhouse It is said that hot water at this bathhouse is especially good for cuts, burns, and boils. The water here has a slightly greenish transparent hue.
Asagama-no-yu Bathhouse There is a communal laundry behind this bathhouse building. This Soto-yu is much loved by locals.
Nakao-no-yu Bathhouse Kumanotearayu Bathhouse An old bathhouse said to have been discovered by a bear. It is said that Nozawa-onsen originated in this place, which according to legend was shown to a hunter by an injured bear.
This massive bathhouse is the largest of Nozawa-onsen’s Soto-yu. The communal bathhouse is in a building constructed in a temple style.
O-yu Bathhouse Located in the center of the town, the O-yu bathhouse—the symbol of Nozawa-onsen—is the largest and grandest bathhouse building among the Soto-yu. This is a must-try bathhouse for visitors to Nozawa-onsen.
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Yokochi-no-yu Bathhouse This bathhouse is located in the basement of a building below the Yokochi traffic lights, and the stone wall of the building serves as a landmark. The water at this bathhouse is especially good for skin diseases.
Taki-no-yu Bathhouse With its traditional style building, this public bathhouse has a relaxing atmosphere. The water at this bathhouse is good for those recovering from serious illnesses.
Shin-yu Bathhouse This public bathhouse is located near the entrance to Tsutsujiyama Park, at the north end of town. People say that the water here is good for diseases cured by warming.
Kawahara-yu Bathhouse Though small, this bathhouse has a typical bathhouse style building with a traditional atmosphere. The water here is said to be good for skin diseases. The water is very hot.
Akiha-no-yu Bathhouse This bathhouse is located a bit away short distance from the center of the Onsen district. The floor of the bathtub is tiled, and the slightly milky hot water here is constantly replaced as it flows from the spring.
Juodo-no-yu Bathhouse This Soto-yu is a somewhat modern western style building. The first floor is for women and the second floor is for men.
Libushi
Small craft beer bar opposite Sakaya Ryokan (Map F-4)
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he word “Kanazawa” (金沢), which basically stands for “golden marsh”, is said to originate from the fable of Imohori Togoro who was plowing for potatoes when chips of gold came up to the surface In fact almost all of the gold leaf utilized in Japan come from Kanazawa. In a few shops you can be given tea having speckles of gold inside. It is apparently good for vivacity and health! Kanazawa is one of the top destinations for Japanese visitors, but, is hardly known outside the country. Sandwiched between the Japan Alps and the Sea of Japan, peaks engraved on the skyline like a milieu to a stage, Kanazawa is actually off the beaten track. Kanazawa was at one time the fourth biggest and flourished city of ancient times. And is frequently compared to Kyoto, for its riches of ancient buildings having been spared by tsunamis and earthquakes and having got away from the World War II air attacks that devastated many Japanese cities. Kanazawa was under the control of one clan for around 300 years. This clan was the Maeda family, and, controlled the places which you can still picture being in existence a couple of centuries ago. For instance, the Higashi Pleasure District is the only place outside Kyoto which has geishas. The conventional structural design of low roofs of glinting curved black tiles, gauzily patterned facades (easy to see out, but not in) - is unaffected. Geishas in ghost-white faces and intricate kimonos can be spotted, or heard practicing their songs and instruments - the threestringed shamisen or even a drum. The Samurai region of Nagamachi is similarly entirely the same as it was since feudal times. Paved roads, amazingly free of the typical spaghetti interweave of overhead cables that frequent over Japanese towns and citiies are refreshingly absent in this area of Kanazawa. Near to the canal, with its sliding paper doors, uncluttered interiors, meditatively peaceful garden and tatami straw mats, with carp swimming in soothingly trickling waters is the Nomura family house, and is a peaceful abode for the residence of a
warrior,. On show is a thank you letter, from the 16th century, addressed to Nomura for executing a high-ranking soldier, which says ‘We are very happy that you brought us his head’. Over the iron bridge straddling one of Kanazawa’s two rivers is Teramachi (‘temple town’), a calm commune of shrines and temples, and congregations of sculptures with red bibs, which are memorials to children. But the main tourist lure is Kenrokuen, which was once part of the 18th Century palace, some of which still remains, and now is one of the three stunning gardens of Japan. Gyokusenen Garden is a more serene, and a bit smaller family-owned garden, in which there are zigzag paths under trees, moss-covered stone lanterns, waterfalls and rivulets. Kanazawa is also home to healthy cuisine, particularly seafood. The stalls at Ohmicho market are loaded with an array of seafood mostly crabs, tuna, oysters, squid and eels. It was a refuge of harmony, although situated a culture spar - only one block from a shopping street where you will discover a throng of international stores. A “chaya” is a house where guests take pleasure in buffets and traditional Japanese performances, such as live performances of Japanese instruments, like the shamisen or the koto, and the Japanese dance. The areas where there are numerous chaya is known as “chayamachi”. There are 3 well-known chayamachi in Kanazawa, and the Higashi Chayamachi is the biggest of all. Higashi Chayamachi has also been delegated as a Japanese artistic asset. In the Higashi Chayamachi, there is a house known as “Shima”. Shima has also been delegated as a national imperative cultural asset. At Shima, everything has been kept in the same way as it was in the ancient period of japan, so you can actually feel it. Tourists are persuaded to take part in the local crafts, also the tourist office offers sessions for making miniature dolls from cloth, tote bags and newspaper. You can be trained to adorn bowls or chopsticks by making use of gossamer-thin squares of gold leaf. The shinkansen “Kagayaki” takes merely 1 hour from Iiyama City to Kanazawa, which is one of the most stunning cities in Japan. Nozawa Connect
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Madarao Mountain Resort Mad about Madarao
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ying right on the border between Niigata and Nagano, Madarao shares the huge snowfall of nearby Nozawa Onsen and Myoko, a natural bounty that the resort is doing its best to share with its powder-hungry visitors. With a modest 440 meters of total vert, Madarao may be overlooked by those looking at that number alone. However, the resort base lies close to what would be mid-mountain at Nozawa Onsen, meaning that the upper slopes lie at a similar altitude as over at Nozawa. It is at upper mountain where Madarao’s not-sowell-known goods lie, gladed runs that unashamedly go by names like “Powder Wave”, “Powder Theater” and “Crystal Bowl”. In these areas, the woods have been thinned to
produce open-spaced tree runs where you can let rip without coming too close to the local vegetation. True to their names, Powder Wave I and II offer undulating terrain that will launch you up and then give you the softest of landings, on Power Wave II for all of 1500 meters. Powder Theater meanwhile gives you the chance to throw up some spray and put on a show for the watching audience on the lift. Madarao tell us that 60% of the resort goes ungroomed, so get there early enough and there will be plenty of powder on piste too. Even if you’re happy to stay on the groomed, the top of Madarao offers a 360-degree panoramic view where you can see Mt. Myoko to the north and Hakuba and the
Kita Alps range to the west. The run to skier’s left from the top offers courses down to Madarao’s neighbor, Tangram Ski Circus, whose lifts can also be ridden if you buy the joint lift pass. This joint ticket also makes things easier to ride the powder runs on the lookers’ right side of Madarao. If you head down to Tangram, it’s one of the few places in Nagano/Niigata where you can enjoy snowmobiling. Along with some mini-sleds that can be ridden on short courses by kids from just five years old, Tangram also offers the Yamaha snowmobiling license program. It only takes an hour and is valid throughout Japan. Once you’re licensed, they will let you go out on the longer 20km tours that head out of the resort on
250cc sleds. Definitely something to try on a bluebird day. Back at the top of Madarao, heading down the other way to skier’s right brings you to the resort’s other claim to fame, its World Cup mogul course that was previously used on the FIS Tour. We know bump skiing is not for everyone, but for those with quads of steel, its 700m long, maxes out at 35°, and has an average gradient of 18°. Don’t try it on your super fats! For beginners and families, Madarao takes great pride in the grooming of their gentler runs. You can also rest assured that the faster riders will be off playing elsewhere on the hill. Madarao has a snowboarder-only beginner course, a rarity and an idea
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that should be tried elsewhere given the popularity of the sport. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding lessons in English as well as Japanese, so international visitors can take a short cut in progressing their way up the mountain. Compared to other countries and regions with more irregular snow or snowmaking, the soft snow in Japan takes an edge really well. This makes it much easier for you to make big improvements in your skiing and boarding. Finally, families travelling with little ones should note that a nursery called the “Tsumiki no Heya” is available inside the Madarao Kogen Hotel. It accepts children from their first birthday onwards. Halfday care from 9 to 12am or from 1:30 to 4:30pm is a very reasonable 3,000 yen, while full-day care with both sessions is a bargain at 5,000 yen. Please note that the day care does need to be booked in advance. After that information for families, we’d like to add that
Madarao spices things up in spring with what sounds like a straight line speed contest called the “Madarao Speed Challenge” held on Sundays. We guess that it’s not going to be on the steeps, or down the mogul run (!), but if it’s with your mates for honour or for beers that evening, we think that the competition could get pretty heated wherever it is. If that’s not spicy enough, the Heidi restaurant serves up what they proudly call their “Addictive Green Curry”. They also have a sausage which in their words “will surprise you!” but we’re not going to tell you why. There is also a shuttle bus from Nozawa Onsen, but please note that this needs to be pre-booked. The shuttles leave Nozawa Onsen Chuo Terminal in the morning at 8:30, 11:20 leaving Madarao at 13:20 and 15:45. Tel: 0269-85-3166
One Day Tour ￥12,000 per person Half Day Tour ￥ 8,000 per person Private Tour ￥60,000 Max 5 persons Pole Rental ￥ 1,000
naganooutdoorsports.net naganooutdoorsports@gmail.com
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Nozawa Onsen Ski Area Japan's Premier Resort
Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort is often called the birthplace of skiing in Japan with a history stretching back 101 years this winter season. It has a total of 21 lifts and over 40km of trails. Nozawa offers skiers and riders a leg burning thousand meters plus of top to bottom skiing with some fantastic view over the Nagano plain. Orientation The resort has three base areas that are located above the village. 1. Kurasawa This is mainly used by for car access and is the closest base to the entry of the village. There are some easy gentle runs that you can take to get to one of the gondolas. 2. Nagasaka This is home to the longer of the two gondolas. The cabins fit 12 persons and will get you to Yamabiko area in about 1520 minutes including turning 90 degrees half way up! 3. Hikage Getting to the Hikage from the main accommodation areas is a great experience. The Yu-Road, which is a long uphill conveyor belt takes you to the Hikage base area. Here you will find, ski school, tourist information, restaurants and most importantly the Hikage Gondola. The gondolas rise to both Paradise and Yamabiko slopes and these could be classed as mid-mountain. There are a host of restaurants in here. From Yamabiko, which
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means Echo Mountain, you can take a couple of lifts to the top of Nozawa Onsen. Mt. Kenashi or as we like to call it Mt. Bald, at 1650m, is home to a radio tower that is sometimes so frozen over it looks like it should be located at the South Pole as an Antarctic weather station! From the top there are few courses that require you to be an intermediate or higher skier or rider. Beginners There are some great long runs for beginners who have mastered the art of linking turns together. Head up either Hikage or Nagasaka gondolas to Yamabiko. From here it is a long cruising 8km course back down along Paradise and Rinkan forest course. As a rule, this kind of cat track is more suited to skiers than snowboarders. For those wanting ski school, the office is located in Hikage Information Center. Intermediates An intermediate favorite is Skyline, which is located on the right side of the resort as you look up. The course is well groomed, but can be narrow in places with bumps usually forming in the afternoon. Take the left course at the bottom of Skyline to Karasawa from there you can ride the Nagasaka Gondola –Link Chair which as you can guess gives you the height to get back to Nagasaka Gondola. Advanced Try your hand at the Schneider course named after the famed Hannes Schneider who developed the Arlberg style of skiing that was used from the early days until carving skis made the style obsolete in the 1990s. Be careful though as the course gets full of big moguls after a few days without snow. Another challenge is the aptly named Challenge Course just below Paradise Slope.
It is the steepest course at Nozawa Onsen with a maximum gradient of 39 degree! Because of this gradient it is a dedicated FIS registered racing course and therefore very popular with carvers. Again it can get chopped up quickly,
so get there early. Powder Hounds First come, first served is the motto. The area at the top of the mountain can sometimes get over one meter of fresh snow overnight. When it is this deep, do not venture off
the trail. Below the right hand turn on the Nagasaka Gondola is Kurokura, this is steep and deep after a snowfall. For real “double black” skiing turn right at the bottom of Skyline onto Grandprix for 800m of white knuckle riding.
able for little ones from ages one to six. A full day is 4000 yen and half day will set you back 2500 yen or you could drop the kids off for just an hour, 1000 yen, as you hit the powder. There is a limit to 20 kids.
Kids For kids, there is a day care nursery that can be found on the second floor at Hikage information center. It is called Yumin Nursery and is avail-
In front of Hikage base is a fun kids park with bouncing castle, tubing, and sledding. If you are lucky Naski the green character might make an appearance. Naski is a pickled
vegetable found in Nozawa. If by chance you are at Nagasaka and need to get the little ones up to Hikage, don’t worry, there is a special snow mobile lift that the kids will love. Non-skiers can join a snowshoe tour at the resort and slip away and take in the wonderful views from the quiet of the forest. You might be able to see a kamoshika, a kind of Japanese mountain
goat. Book at the ski school or at the village visitor information center. Night Skiing Nozawa Onsen offers night skiing on Saturday evenings and peak times including, New Year and national holidays. The temperature does drop once it gets dark, so wrap up well. The restaurants stay open, so you could always pop inside for a hot chocolate.
Nozawa Connect
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