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Overview
Nozawa Onsen offers a unique Japanese cultural experience with a compact village that sits at the bottom of the ski resort, traditional architecture abounds with beautiful Japanese ryokans that date back 100’s of years, traditional onsens that are free to use are dotted throughout the town as well as lively restaurants, izzakayas and some great bars all make this an exciting and true Japanese resort experience.
The Ski resort area is over 100 years old making it one of the oldest in Japan and stretches from the peak of Mount Kenashi which is 1,650m high down to to the top of the village. overall the vertical drop is 1,085m and the Nozawa resort area covers a total of 297 hectares. The resort receives over 10m of quality snow every year and has 22 chair lifts and 2 gondolas to help you access the 50km+ of ski trails and 36 ski runs which offer a good variety of ski slopes well suited to all skill levels from advance to beginners. There are some good within resort off piste ski areas and tree skiing as well as some back country options with guides that can be organised for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
The compact village is easy to walk around as the streets are all heated by the steaming onsen water source, ski lifts for most accommodation is a short 5 min to 10 min walk or a trip on the Yu moving walk way to the slopes, the village has many restaurants, bars, souvenir and craft shops there is also a couple of convenience shops as well as their own craft brewery which has won National and International awards; for beer lovers a must to visit.
There is a decent variety of accommodation, although predominantly Japanese style and to get the best cultural experience we recommend staying in a traditional Ryokan, most just offer segregated onsens with rooms that offer tatami flooring futon bedding and toilet and vanity facilitates only however some higher end Ryokans also offer rooms with beds and their own bathrooms.
On 15th of January each year the Nozawa Onsen fire festival takes place, it is one of the most famous festival in Japan. If you are coming to Nozawa Onsen be sure to enjoy this exciting cultural event.
Featured Accommodations
Adventures & Attractions
Our recommended resort highlights.
Nozawa Public Onsen
Nozawa Onsen has 30 distinct mineral springs feeding 13 public bath houses or ryokans. There are also a number of private onsens in the village, all
Dosojin Fire Festival
The famous Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival ins nationally designated as an important intangible folk cultural property. It originally began as an invocation
Snow Monkey
The world-famous wild monkey park is situated in Yamanouchi Town in Nagano Prefecture. There is a daily shuttle that departs Akakura Onsen. The park
Shibu Onsen
The historic village was once frequented by samurai, wandering poets and travellers to rest and recuperate. And who could blame them, with legend sayin
Nagano Snow Shuttle
Nagano Snow Shuttle is a convenience daily shuttle bus from Narita or Haneda Airport to all major ski resorts around the Nagano and Niigata ski resort
Japan Ski Museum
Not only a ski history in Japan but a collection from around the world that shows the history of the sport. The fascinating evolution of snow sports a
Nagano VIP Shuttle Service
Nagano VIP Transfer is a flexible door to door service that can be booked as a shared service or a private charter for small groups and families. Book
Nozawa Onsen Snow Shoeing
Snowshoeing is a relaxing stroll through the vast nature and pure air of Nozawa Onsen in snowshoes. The forest beside the ski piste opens up to a compl
- How to Reach Nozawa Onsen
- Resorts & City Guide
By Air
Nozawa Onsen can be easily accessed easily from Narita or Haneda Airports in Tokyo but you can also come from Nagoya’s Centrair Airport or from Osaka’s Kansai Airport.
By Train
Nozawa can be accessed from Tokyo or Kanazawa on the Hokuriku Shinkansen disembarking at Iiyama station from there you can catch the local Nozawa shuttle bus that will bring you to the central bus terminal in Nozawa Onsen the bus takes approx 30 minutes.
By Car
Hiring a Car in Nagano at the Shinkansen Station is popular and its only 1 hour drive from Nagano to Nozawa Onsen.
By Bus
Buses access Nozawa from Iiyama, from Nagano, Tokyo or Osaka as well as regular buses from both Narita and Haneda to meet international Flights.
By Private Transfer
Private transfers are available from Nagano as well as from Narita or Haneda Airports to and from Nozawa Onsen.
Below are some PDF tourist maps to help you navigate and enjoy your time in Nozawa Onsen.
Nozawa Onsen Trail Map Free. Work Offline. Share Anywhere
Average snowfall for Nozawa Onsen