Nagano

JAPOW RETREAT – SKIING, YOGA & TRADITION IN JAPAN

Backcountry Skiing

What you'll do

Japow Retreat in Nozawa Onsen is a week where world-class powder skiing blends with the rhythm of a traditional mountain village. Over seven days, we freeride and tour with certified guides through Nozawa, Madarao, and Myoko, chasing untouched lines and sparkling forests, while off the mountain we soak in the village’s historic hot springs, stretch out with yoga, and share authentic Japanese meals in cosy izakayas. Nozawa lives and breathes its heritage, and everything here is walkable, from the lifts to the baths to the restaurants. This trip is about skiing some of the best snow on the planet and about immersing ourselves in the unique culture, recovery, and community that make Japow unforgettable.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome & First Soak

We arrive in Nozawa after our airport shuttle from Tokyo (Haneda or Narita). We should land by ~12:00 at Narita or ~13:00 at Haneda to comfortably catch the afternoon shuttle. Once we’ve checked in and settled, we gather at 6 pm for a welcome briefing — a chance to check our gear, meet each other, and hear the plan for the week. If we’re up for it, we can slip into our first onsen to shake off the jet lag before heading out for an optional dinner at a local izakaya.

Day 2 – Finding Our Rhythm

At 8 am, we meet our guide for an avalanche safety review and ability check before heading into our first lift-assisted powder runs. This gentle intro tour helps us find our flow as a group. After skiing, we soak in the onsen, then reset our bodies with a recovery-focused yoga session at 5 pm. We round off the day with an optional izakaya dinner together. Distance: 4 km (2.5 mi) | Elevation gain: +300 m (+984 ft) / –300 m (–984 ft) | Time: 2–3 hours

Day 3 – Powder Mission

We load the van around 7:30 am and head for Madarao or Myoko. We spend the day skiing trees, touring for laps, and chasing lines that suit our pace as a group. By late afternoon, we return to Nozawa for an onsen soak before another optional dinner at a local izakaya. Distance: 6 km (3.7 mi) | Elevation gain: +600 m (+1,969 ft) / –600 m (–1,969 ft) | Time: 4–5 hours

Day 4 – Stash Hunting + Yoga

By now, we’re moving with confidence. At 8 am we set out for backcountry touring beyond the resort boundaries, hunting down fresh stashes and hidden powder. After skiing, we unwind in the onsen and meet at 5 pm for a yoga session focused on hips and hamstrings. The evening wraps up with another cozy izakaya dinner if we choose. Distance: 9 km (5.6 mi) | Elevation gain: +500 m (+1,640 ft) / –1,050 m (–3,445 ft) | Time: 5 hours

Day 5 – Second Powder Mission

We’re back on the road around 7:30 am, chasing snow in Madarao or Myoko, depending on the weather. It’s another full day of tree lines, touring laps, and plenty of powder. We return to Nozawa for a restorative soak and then meet for an optional group dinner. Distance: 8 km (5.0 mi) | Elevation gain: +800 m (+2,625 ft) / –800 m (–2,625 ft) | Time: 5–6 hours

Day 6 – Final Laps & Farewell Vibes

On our final ski day, we take on a signature Nozawa tour, the perfect way to wrap up the week and celebrate everything we’ve shared. After skiing, we enjoy one last onsen reset and a full-body yoga session at 5 pm. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner at a local izakaya to toast to the adventure. Distance: 8 km (5.0 mi) | Elevation gain: +700 m (+2,297 ft) / –700 m (–2,297 ft) | Time: 5 hours

Day 7 – Departure

We ease into our last morning with a final onsen soak before packing up and checking out by 11 am. Then we hop on the shuttle back to Tokyo, either to the airport (make sure to book your flight later than 6.30 PM) or the city, carrying home memories of a week filled with powder, onsens, and good vibes.

Important stuff

From the highest peaks to the hidden trails, we've got your back

100% Guaranteed Departures

Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.

Flexible Changes

Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.

Comprehensive Insurance & Assistance

Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

100% Guaranteed Departures: Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.
Flexible Changes: Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.
Comprehensive Insurance & Assistance: Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

see more on How it works

What's included

Accident insurance

Medical and luggage insurance

Travel cancellation insurance

Transport from airport

Transport to airport

All breakfast

Trip briefing

Expert, local, English speaking guides

6 nights accommodation in a traditional Japanese hotel (twin rooms with tatami flooring, futon beds, private toilet, shared Japanese bath)

5 days of guided freeride & ski touring with certified local backcountry guides

5-day lift pass (Nozawa Onsen + additional resorts when required, conditions dependent)

3 yoga sessions (recovery-focused, 60 min each)

Local transport to neighboring resorts for powder missions

Access to Nozawa’s natural hot spring onsens (13 traditional baths around the village)

Flight

Visa (if applicable)

Lunches

Dinners

Everything not mentioned in the “What’s included”

Tips

Ski and avalanche equipment

Expenditure of personal nature

Optional activities not mentioned

Accomodations

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View Hotel Shimataya

Located at the top of Nozawa village, Shimataya offers the best of both worlds: peaceful views over the valley and easy access to the lifts via the Yu-Road. Rooms are traditional Japanese style with tatami floors and futon bedding, and a private toilet, creating a simple yet authentic atmosphere. After skiing, guests can soak in the hotel’s onsen overlooking Mount Kenashi, or enjoy the relaxed bar. With its warm hospitality and location just a short stroll from the heart of the village, Shimataya is the perfect base to experience Nozawa’s powder and culture.

Guides

Pete Ozich

Pete is an IFMGA-certified mountain and ski guide with years of backcountry experience across Japan, New Zealand, and Europe. He brings a calm, confident presence to every tour and loves helping riders enjoy the snow safely. With Pete, you’ll discover epic terrain and also pick up tips and tricks from a true professional who’s passionate about sharing his knowledge.

Toshi Shiokawa

Toshi is a JMGA-certified backcountry guide and a Nozawa Onsen local through and through. With an intimate understanding of the terrain, snowpack, and ever-changing conditions in the Nagano region, he knows exactly where to find the best stashes. Guiding with Toshi means experiencing the mountains through the eyes of someone who’s grown up here, with local insight that makes every run even more special.

Gonçalo Cunha

Gonçalo is the founder of Shaper Retreats and a certified ski instructor who has spent the last seven years teaching and guiding across Andorra, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, and Argentina. Originally trained in business and finance, he swapped the corporate path for a life in the mountains, driven by a passion for skiing, culture, and connection. Nowadays, Gonçalo focuses on curating experiences that go far beyond a typical ski holiday: blending powder adventures, cultural immersion, and wellness practices like yoga and onsens. His goal is simple: to help people progress on the mountain, connect as a community, and leave feeling recharged and inspired.