Snow in Minakami / Takaragawa onsen?

I'm planning to visit the onsens of Minakami, especially two nights at Takaragawa in early January (around the 3rd and 4th of January 2011).

I've always dreamed of soaking in a warm outdoor onsen with snow capped rocks and trees around me. Will that be a reality in early January? Or will there only be pathetic, small patches of snow then? I know snow in Tokyo is unlikely in early January, but I'm hoping for heaps of snow then in Minakami. If there won't be snow-capped rocks and trees in early January in Minakami, is there anywhere near Tokyo that is bound to have this, with some gorgeous outdoor onsen too? Please recommend and help! Thank you.

Hi DL,

I visited Takaragawa Onsenkaku in middle of December 2007, and could I have been lucky? It was snowing morning and night.
If you are visiting in January, I think you will have better chance of enjoying snow fall as well as the Rotenburo.

I believe january is the month you will exeperince heaps of snow in Minakami since it's abit further up form the central of Japan and located in mountainous areas.

I am planning to visit Takaragawa onsen this x'mas too, so hope to the snow falling while soaking and zipping sake together. Cheers!