Not only winter sports! Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort in Nagano Prefecture, a ski resort where you can also enjoy the autumn leaves.

  • Nagano
  • Sightseeing
Nagasaka gondola lift going through the autumn leaves *Photographed in mid-October

Nozawa Onsen Village's most famous landmark

View from the slopes.
Photo courtesy of Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort] is a ski resort in Nozawa Onsen Village, located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, and has a long history, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023.
It is also one of the most famous ski resorts in Japan, attracting numerous skiers and snowboarders from both Japan and abroad.

Not only in winter! A ski resort also recommended during the fall foliage season!

When you hear the word "ski resort," you inevitably think of "winter. When I hear the word "ski resort," I also think of winter.
However! In Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, some gondolas are in operation from summer to autumn, and you can enjoy the verdant mountains in summer and the red, yellow, and orange-colored mountains in autumn.

Nagasaka Gondola Lift

To enjoy the beautiful mountains, first take the Nagasaka gondola lift from the Nagasaka area at the foot of the mountain. The Nagasaka Gondola Lift began operating in December 2020, replacing the former Nagasaka Gondola Lift. The lift is 3,129m long with an elevation gain of 789m, and connects to the Yamabiko area at the end of the lift in about 8 minutes. The gondolas have glass walls in front, behind, and to the left and right, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery to their heart's content. Some gondolas also have skeleton floors, so you can enjoy the view directly below.
The Nagasaka gondola lift connects the Nagasaka area at the foot of the mountain to the Yamabiko area halfway up Mt. The gondola on the far left in the photo has a special glass floor.
The photo was taken in mid-October.
A gondola with a design of "Nasky," a popular character of Nozawa Onsen (Nozawa Hot Springs). The name is a combination of "na" of Nozawana and ski. It is not a green bell pepper.
Unfortunately, I was not able to board the special gondola with a skeleton floor when I visited, but I was still able to enjoy the spectacular view of the Nozawa Onsen ski resort from the front, back, left, and right. Although there were still many green trees at the foot of the mountain, as the elevation increased, the leaves turned into a patchwork of red, yellow, and orange, and the entire area was enveloped in a landscape of autumn colors.
The high elevation also offers a great view. When I boarded the bus, it was unfortunately cloudy, so I could only see the mountains a short distance away and the neighboring city of Iiyama, but if the weather was clear, I could even see the mountains in the Myoko area of Niigata Prefecture.

The scenery is so beautiful that the 8-minute one-way trip passes by in a flash. Please be careful not to miss your shutter chance. Also, please be warm as the temperature can drop below 10 degrees Celsius even on a clear day due to the high altitude.
Mountains in brocade.
*This photo was taken in mid-October.
You can see the color change from green to yellow and orange as you go up in elevation from Nozawa Onsen Town at the foot of the mountains.
Taken in mid-October.
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort] Official website

We recommend that you book your stay at Nozawa Onsen with the JR East View Dynamic Rail Package!

Naraya Ryokan
Ryokan Sakasaya
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