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Nozawa Onsen, Japan · Alpine mountain climate

Nozawa Onsen in March: go or not?

Tough period. Nozawa Onsen in March only reaches 0.8/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 36.92°N · 138.44°E
⚡ This month's verdict
Avoid
Nozawa Onsen · March
0.8
-1–7°
Temperature
55%
Rain
5h
Sun
❄️ Alpine climate☀️ High-altitude UV🌦️ Changeable weather
Photo : Sam Lee via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in March

Off-season for skiing Nozawa Onsen — lifts are closed. Consider hiking, mountain biking or summer activities at altitude. With 55.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.

March ranks 9 out of 12 months in Nozawa Onsen. Compared to February: +4°C daytime, 19 pts fewer rainy days, +1.7h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in March

UV index
5 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
-1°
Daylight
11.7h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 38
Compare

Is March the right month?

The best month in Nozawa Onsen is August (7.8/10), 7.0 pts higher than March.

See August →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Nozawa Onsen, Japanese village ski resort in Nagano prefecture : 3500 inhabitants at 600m, one of the most traditional in Japan ("onsen village" literally). 13 free public hot springs ("soto-yu") managed by the inhabitants since the 8th century.

Read Gilles' full review →

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Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Hotels & rentals · Nozawa Onsen
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Nozawa Onsen

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Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a mountain stay.

Country · Japan

🗣️LanguageJapanese
💶CurrencyYen japonais (¥)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeAlpine mountain climate
📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.25°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 28°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 3°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJanuary · 79%

🏔️ Mountain stay

⛰️Village altitude570 m
🎿Ski area570 → 1650 m
⛷️Ski seasonDec → May
🥾Hiking seasonJun → Sep
🧗High mountains ⓘGuide recommended
Explore

Other destinations in March

If March doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
KanazawaJapanNisekoJapanFuranoJapanCologneGermanyHakubaJapan
Nearby
HakubaJapan57 kmNikkoJapan105 kmTokyoJapan177 kmHakoneJapan195 km
Other top picks
CadizSpain7.3El HierroSpain7.3MalagaSpain7.3AlgarvePortugal7.4FaroPortugal7.4
← FebruaryApril →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is Nozawa Onsen ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Japan
Alpine mountain climate climate with a 7.8 → 0.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
36.92°N · 138.44°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Nozawa Onsen?
It depends on the activity. For skiing: February (ski score 8.1/10). For hiking/summer: February (8.1/10, 3.0°C).
Can you ski in Nozawa Onsen in winter?
Yes, it's peak ski season. Average ski score December–February: 7.7/10. Cold temperatures (3°C max in January) and frequent snowfall.
Is it warm in Nozawa Onsen in summer?
In February, temperatures average 3.0°C. Best period for hiking and outdoor activities.
What is the wettest month in Nozawa Onsen?
November is the wettest month with November has the lowest climate score of the year.
Do you need sun protection in Nozawa Onsen in March?
The average UV index reaches 5 in March in Nozawa Onsen (moderate), with about 11.7h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.