Born in Toyama Prefecture, Nojiri started her sporting career as a cross-country skier. Her first international races came at the 2005 Winter Universiade, where she was 21st in the 15 km classic and 35th in the 5 km free race. She pursued an Olympic berth in the sport, but at age 25 she re-considered her options and instead aimed to try her Olympic chances in marathon running.