Nagoya Castle in Winter
Nagoya in Winter is a unique and creates an unforgettable stay to all the visitors around the world. The fourth largest city and located in the heart of Japan in the Chubu region which is Nagoya, winter is the best gateway time to the spectacular Japan Alps and the mountain of Nagano and Gifu. They are well-known worldwide for their soft snow, well facilitated ski resorts and relaxing hot springs or onsen. Not convincing enough? Let me show you the wonders and excitement the city brings.
Things to Do in Nagoya in Winter
Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort
To satisfy the adventurous enthusiasm, we will start off with one of Japan’s most superb and vast winter sports places. With the total of 1085 meters of ski slope length and total ski slope area of 297 hectares from the top to the foot of Mt. Kenashi, Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort made an impact on Japan’s ski resort ranking.
The abundance of 100% natural soft powdery snow from the start of winter till early into May. It provides a big variety of slopes and courses which caters from beginners and families to advanced snow skiing lovers. What’s more? As the name suggested, it also has amazing onsen or hot spring bath for you to relax after a great ski.
Spot information
- Spot name: Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort
- Address: 7653 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, 389-2502
- Access: 10 minutes’ walk from the Nozawa Onsen Chuo Bus Terminal
Snow Monkey of Jigokudani
One of the popular activities in Japan is visiting Jigokudani monkey park (地獄谷野猿公苑/ Jigokudani Yaen-Koen) which is the only place where monkeys bathe in hot springs. The Jigokudani Yaen-koen is at an altitude of 850 meters, located in the Valley of Yokoyu River. Because of the very steep cliffs and the steam coming off the springs all over the place, in ancient times it was known as Jigokudani (Hell Valley).
The troops of wild Japanese macaque also known as Snow Monkeys inhabit here naturally through the ages. The monkeys live in large social groups and it can be quite entertaining to watch their interactions with one another as they can be observed from very close and they tend to ignore the human guests although the park is open all year round, the bathing snow monkeys are particularly photogenic during winter when the area is covered in snow.
Spot Information
- Name: Jigokudani monkey park
- Address: Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, 6845, Hirao, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture 381-0401
- Access: Take the bus to Kanbayashi Onsen from Nagoya Station and get off at Kanbayashi Onsen bus stop, from there it is a 30 to 40 minutes’ walk to the to the Snow Monkey Park
The Snow Corridor of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
The route is a unique route through the Northern Japan Alps which is traversed by various transportation including cable cars, trolley buses and a ropeway. The route connects Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture with Omachi Town in Nagoya Prefecture. The main attraction is the accumulated snow especially around the upper sections of Midagahara and Murudo that will form a spectacular snow walls with up to 20 meters in height during the end of Winter. However, the section of Snow Corridor when it is open to pedestrians is usually from mid-April to late June.
Spot Information
- Name: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- Address: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama-ken 930-1406
- Access: From Nagoya Station take a bus directly to Ogizawa which go along the Alpine Route
Nagoya Winter Climate
Nagoya is located in the central part of the island of Honshu and is affected by the monsoon circulation in the winter the northwest cold currents will prevail. Also located close distance from the sea in mild winter periods with highs around 12-15°C and the lows at 3-4°C alternately during the cold and windy winter, with highs around 5-7°C and the low at 1°C. Be sure to be well prepared with casual warm winter clothing during your visit.
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