Nozawa Now: Wednesday 7th January 2015
- Jan 7, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 562cm
Posted on Wednesday 7th January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here.
We're seeing a bit of sun this morning. Lots of cloud still, but some breaks in them and some sunshine.
Glad that we can move on from yesterday, which was unfortunately blighted with rain. Happily it turned into snowfall, and result of which is up to 15cm being reported by the resort on the slopes.
It's nice and cold again this morning as well which is much better than the milder conditions we experienced yesterday.
Less wind this morning and all lifts are apparently back moving as they should.
Next major snow seems to be forecast for the weekend at present. Until then we will probably see a mix of cloud, sun and snow showers.
January 15th is an important date on the Nozawa calendar, perhaps the most important one: The Dosojin Fire Festival.
It's certainly an interesting event and if you are in the area definitely worth a look. It gets busy!
Anyway, here's what the Nozawa skijo official site says about it:
Thursday 15th January
With a gallant display of bravery, this traditional Fire Festival is one of Japan's top 3. The years largest event, come watch as the flames leap high and fierce!
Date & Time
From 1pm on 13th January:
The men drag their felled logs from the forest to the ceremony site.
Until midnight 15th January:
The men work hard on constructing the Shrine used in the ceremony
15th January
By lunch shrine construction has finished.
19:00 – The ceremonial fire source commences its journey
19:30 – Ceremonial Lanterns are erected
20:00 - Fireworks display & Drum troupe performance 20:30: The ceremonial fire source arrives
20:30 - Nozawa Village representatives, Ceremonial lantern holders and small children take part in a mock, ceremonial assault on the Shrine
20:50 - Adults assault the tower for real in an attempt to burn it down
22:00 - Ceremony finishes
Fresh snow to report this morning since yesterday:
Yamabiko - 15cm
Hikage - 15cm
Official snow depths:
Yamabiko - 325cm
Uenotaira - 265cm
Hikage - 215cm
Nagasaka - 215cm
Karasawa - 165cm
Nozawa Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Wednesday 7th January 2015 Total snowfall at base 562cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 18 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 70cm (14th and 18th December) November 2014 snowfall 0cm December 2014 snowfall 437cm reported on 14 days January 2015 snowfall 125cm reported on 4 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Nozawa Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.