Nozawa & Hakuba Package

€1390 / per person

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10 days, 7 on snow. Japanese Ski Season 2019 – 2020

This is the perfect self-guided tour for those who would like to combine plenty of that famous Japanese powder mixed in with rich Japanese culture.

We’ll bring you to the Nagano region, home to some of the highest mountains in Japan and known for receiving massive amounts of snow. You’ll visit Nozawa Onsen & Hakuba which are each home to different terrain and steeped in Japanese culture.

Nozawa Onsen is a relatively small resort but familiar with powder hounds for its amazing tree runs. Even though Nozawa Onsen is gaining popularity it’s hardly ever especially crowded. The people that do visit tend to stay on the groomed slopes so those looking for powder won’t have to share their lines! Modern lifts will bring you back to the top in no time to keep your vertical meter count high!

But… there is much more to Nozawa Onsen than just amazing powder snow and long groomers. In town, you’ll find, as the name suggests, traditional ‘onsens’. These naturally heated baths are the perfect way to unwind after a good day on the hill. Your lodge can provide a map to the 13 public (free) onsens. How many can you visit during your stay?

Then there is the Hakuba Valley, which is comprised of a cluster of smaller ski resorts like Happo One, Hakuba 47, Hakuba Goryu, Kashimayari, Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba Norikura and Hakuba Cortina. Here you’ll find rugged, 3000m high peaks which, on average, receive between 11 to 13 meters of dry, Japanese powder per season. This means that there is ample opportunity for you to experience that famous Japow! The terrain varies per resort but when seeing the peaks it’s no surprise that the Freeride World Tour stops here and Art of Flight filmed multiple parts.

We have set this package up in such a way that you’ll get to spend a little extra time in Tokyo to make the most of your trip and to experience this impressive city! Walk around century old temples, or watch dancing robots and bright neon lights. This city has something for everyone and is one of our favorite in the world!

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Nozawa Onsen – Japow from First Tours on Vimeo.

From our gallery

Shrine Nozawa Onsen Powder Culture First Tours

Itinerary

Day 1 - Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo! A shuttle bus awaits you at Tokyo airport to drive you to Nozawa Onsen. Check-in and spent the rest of the day exploring the amazing little town. Visit the beautiful temples, explore the many onsens or just wander around the little streets. At night visit one of the many local restaurants for a delicious meal. (Tip: if a restaurant if full, make sure to book a table for the next day!)

Shuttle bus Tokyo airport - Nozawa Onsen
Accommodation in a comfortable lodge with onsen, Nozawa Onsen

Day 2 - Nozawa Onsen Guide

The best way to explore this beautiful resort and all its options is together with a guide who knows the area well. Your guide will meet you at the lodge and show you around the resort. If you're after powder your guide will show you the best stashes or if you prefer to stay on the groomers we'll show you the best runs. This powder factory has some all-time tree runs all within easy access from the lifts. After a sick day riding, relax in one of the many natural hot springs (onsens).

Breakfast
3 day lift ticket Nozawa Onsen
All day guiding around Nozawa Onsen
Accommodation in a comfortable lodge with onsen, Nozawa Onsen

Day 3 & 4 - Nozawa Onsen

Spend these days riding the fun terrain around Nozawa Onsen. Even though Nozawa is not a very big resort, there are a lot of beautiful slopes and powder runs to keep you entertained for days! Around the resort, you'll find plenty of little cafe's and restaurants to fuel up while riding. After another epic day riding relax in one of the many natural hot springs (onsens) - Nozawa has 13 public (free) ones, how many can you visit? At night there are plenty of restaurants we can go to for dinner or even sneak in a beer or two at the local pub.

Breakfast
Lift pass Nozawa Onsen
Accommodation in a comfortable lodge with onsen, Nozawa Onsen

Day 5 - Transfer to Hakuba

An early morning transfer today to head to Hakuba, The shuttle bus leaves near the lodge around 09:00 and drops you off in front of the lodge in Hakuba around 12:45. Check in and choose whether to spend the rest of the afternoon riding the local resort or heading into town and explore Hakuba. For those wanting to spend another day riding at Nozawa, we can arrange a bus around 16:00 which gets to Hakuba at 18:15.

Breakfast
Nozawa - Hakuba transfer
lift ticket Nozawa or Hakuba (not included)
Accommodation in a comfortable lodge, Hakuba

Day 6, 7 & 8 - Hakuba

The Hakuba valley cluster of small resorts each with its own unique features. Here are some options; Happo One has great slackcountry runs and gives you access to the Happo North Faces – a great collection of bowls and lines set behind the resort. Hakuba 47 is a small resort with plenty of potential and is perfect for riders hunting for steep powder runs. Hakuba Goryu Is located in the Hakuba village and shares a lift with Hakuba 47. Goryu has opened up the Open Tree Zone, home to some perfectly laid out tree runs. Where Iwatake really excels is in views. From the peak of Mt. Iwatake, you’ll get 360-degree panoramic views across to Happo One. Kashimayari is home to some of the best views over the Northern Alps. It’s a little further south of its neighbouring resorts, and as a result, is generally much quieter. Tsugaike Kogen has some excellent backcountry options as well as a designated tree skiing area, and the resort tends to be fairly quiet. Hakuba Norikura and Hakuba Cortina are joined by a lift, and what they lack in modern infrastructure they make up for in snow (and because they’re pretty quiet you have fewer people to share the pow with). After a day exploring the beautiful Hakuba Valley and riding that famous Japow unwind in one of the many local hot springs or play some pool with your new friends at the lodge's bar. At night head into town for some delicious Japanese food and apres drinks.

Breakfast
3 day lift ticket Hakuba Valley
Accommodation in a comfortable lodge, Hakuba

Day 9 - Tokyo

Head to Tokyo for an afternoon taking in the beautiful sights. Get the morning shuttle from Hakuba to Nagano. This short trip will drive past the beautiful Hakuba mountains giving you a fantastic view. Get off at Nagano station and head into the main hall and look for the green JR sign to buy tickets for the bullet train to Tokyo. The bullet train flies through the Japanese landscape. A truly fun experience. Get off at Ueno station (final stop) and look for your hotel near the station. From here you can easily explore some fantastic sights in Tokyo or jump on the express train to Narita airport. For those with an early flight the next morning it might be best to book a hotel close to the airport. If you have a later flight we recommend staying near Ueno station in Tokyo.

Breakfast
Transfer to the bus stop
Accommodation Tokyo (either city or airport)

Day 10 - Depart

After a fantastic cultural powder trip, it's time to make your way to the airport to connect with your flight home. If you're staying in the city we can help you with a transfer to the airport or you can rely on the very fast and well organized public transport system.

Breakfast
Transfer to airport (not included)

Gallery

Snowy Nozawa Onsen during Powder Culture Tour with First Tours

girl powder turn in Hakuba with First Tours

Nozawa & Hakuba Package