Ski Trip Guide: Nozawa Onsen Japan

Japan has some of the best snow in the world and the country also has a wide range of ski resorts. We did a ton of research on all of the ski destinations and resorts and were so happy with our decision to go to Nozawa Onsen in the Nagano region. I grew up skiing and snowboarding in the French Alps since I was 4 years old and Mrs. NN is a beginner and we were both very happy with our experience in Nozawa Onsen. In this Ski Trip Guide of Nozawa Onsen Japan, we share our detailed itinerary, what to do, how much it costs and tips for anyone planning to go skiing in Japan.

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Where is Nozawa Onsen Japan?

Nozawa Onsen is a charming hot spring resort town nestled in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It’s a great option for those that don’t want to travel all the way to Hokkaido for skiing because Nozawa Onsen is easily accessible via the Shinkensen highspeed train from Tokyo.

Renowned for its natural hot springs, or “onsen” in Japanese, Nozawa Onsen is a great spot to relax as well as enjoying the great snow. The town is characterized by its traditional Japanese architecture, including wooden ryokans (inns) and narrow stone-paved streets lined with shops, restaurants, and tea houses. It offers a nostalgic ambiance that transports visitors back in time.

Things to do in Nozawa Onsen

A major attraction of Nozawa Onsen is of course its 13 onsens (aka hot springs). These mineral-rich thermal waters are believed to have healing properties and are perfect for unwinding after a long day of skiing or hiking. One of the most famous hot springs in Nozawa Onsen is Ogama, a large public bath where visitors can even cook their own eggs in the hot water!

Most visitors come to NozawaOnsen for its wonderful ski resort. The bustling ski resort provides access to over 50 kilometers of ski slopes suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. The town also offers opportunities for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and other winter activities. It’s a snow paradise!

How many days do you need to visit Nozawa Onsen

We stayed 5 nights and 6 days in Nozawa which is a great amount of time if you plan to enjoy the village, the resort and have plenty of time for skiing and snowboarding. There are plenty of people that live in Tokyo and visit for just the weekend. It all depends on how much you want to hit the slopes.

Detailed Nozawa Onsen Itinerary

We skied every day and relaxed at the end of the day in the onsen. For all of the meals, we checked out a few of the many restaurants scattered in the village. We also took half a day to visit the famous snow monkeys who relax all day in their own outdoor hot spring.

Here is a detailed daily itinerary:

Day 1 – Tokyo to Nozawa Onsen

When we landed at Tokyo airport, we caught a bus to Tokyo main station. Along the way, we stopped for some delicious sushi for lunch. Then we took the bullet train to Iiyama station and then the shuttle bus to Nozawa Onsen. More details on how to get to Nozawa Onsen further down. It took us less than 3 hours from door to door, which was really handy, especially for people staying in Tokyo. Some locals even visit the resort just for the day.

Once in the village, we checked into our cozy lodge(Lodge Ueno Ski) and started exploring the streets. For dinner, we tried some delicious and warming ramen. There were so many restaurants close by, and the village was easy to walk around.

Day 2 to 4 – Skiing and Hot Springs

First, we rented all our gear since we don’t travel with any winter gear as full-time nomads. Renting ski or snowboard equipment, helmets, gloves, jackets, and pants was affordable at $40 USD per person per day.

Then, we walked about 10 minutes from our lodge to the resort and had a great time skiing. We took a break for lunch at one of the resort restaurants. The resort offers many lifts including two gondolas that bring you to the top of the mountain which is actually quite great for beginners!

After a fun day, we went back to our lodge for a quick rest before dinner.

To end the day, we relaxed in one of the village’s free hot springs. The hot springs are split into sections for men and women and are free to use, but they accept donations to help keep clean. Also don’t forget to bring a towel!

Day 5 – Snow Monkeys & Japanese Food

On our last day, we paid a visit to the Snow Monkeys. They have their own hot spring, which was a unique experience to watch. We joined a tour which arranges a bus from the village and we spent half a day there. We researched getting there on our own via public transportation but the connections, time and cost did not make it a better option than the tour. It’s truly worth a visit if you are in the Nagano area.

For dinner, we enjoyed more Japanese food. One pleasant surprise about the restaurants in Nozawa Onsen is that they were all really good and affordable. Unlike many ski resorts and resort towns around the world, the restaurants did not lower in quality and charge a premium.

Day 6 – Returning to Tokyo

To wrap us this wonderful week, we checked out of our lodge in the morning and went back to Tokyo the same way that we came – via shuttle bus and then the shinkansen bullet train.

Where to stay in Nozawa Onsen

We strongly suggest staying in the village, as there is a wide array of accommodations to suit every preference. You must book well in advance! The ski season is extremely popular and there are limited rooms, especially on weekends. We booked in November for a stay in February and many places were already full because it is peak season and because of the Lunar New Year.

We recommend Lodge Ueno Ski, where we had a fantastic stay. The staff were friendly. The rooms, while simple, were incredibly cozy and provided ample storage space and comfy Japanese style beds (tatamis). Plus, the powerful heater was an absolute lifesaver during the chilly winter nights when temperatures went below freezing. Additionally, the lodge offers a delicious breakfast and convenient luggage storage options for check-in and check-out.

If Lodge Ueno Ski isn’t available or doesn’t quite fit your preferences, feel free to explore other options using the search box below:

How to get to Nozawa Onsen

To reach Nozawa Onsen, there are the following options:

1. Train: The nearest train station to Nozawaonsen is Iiyama Station. From major cities like Tokyo or Nagano, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station. From there, you can transfer to a bus or taxi to reach Nozawaonsen. The journey from Iiyama Station to Nozawaonsen takes approximately 30-40 minutes by bus or taxi. We recommend booking your shinkansen tickets in advance via Klook because they do sell out. There’s also a really long line to purchase tickets at Iiyama Station because everyone gets off of the shuttle bus at the same time.
2. Bus: There are direct buses available from major cities like Tokyo, Nagano, and Osaka to Nozawaonsen during the winter ski season.
3. Car: If you prefer driving, you can rent a car and drive to Nozawaonsen. The journey by car from major cities like Tokyo or Nagano takes approximately 4-5 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic. Nozawaonsen has parking facilities available for visitors. See our Guide to Driving in Japan if you decide to drive.

Cost of Ski Trip in Nozawa Onsen

Our 6 day stay in Nozawa Onsen was on the pricey side but it was totally worth it. Considering that renting ski gear and getting lift tickets are generally not cheap, we spent a reasonable total of $1,399 USD for two people.

TL;DR; As a couple we spent a total of 1,399 USD for this ski getaway.
Note: this budget is as a couple so if you travel solo, your budget might differ.

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Here is our budget breakdown per spending category from the largest to the smallest: 

Category	Total Cost USD	Comments
Accommodation	$466.44	This covers our 5 nights at the Lodge Ueno Ski
Recreational Activities	$466.36	Gear rental + snow gear: $200 (3 days for Mr + 2 days for Mrs) Ski lift tickets for 3 days: $178 (3 full days for Mr. + 1.5 days for Mrs.) Snow Money tour: $86
Local Transportation	$294.06	This include our round trip bullet train tickets from Tokyo ($189) + local bus from the train station to the resort
Dining Out	$145.15	This covered for 5 lunch and 5 dinner at restaurants
Groceries	$15.10	Some fruits and snacks for our lodge
Snacks	$11.81	Various snacks while outside
TOTAL	$1399.44

Tips for Visiting Nozawa Onsen

• Best Time to Visit: The snow season kicks off in December and stretches through to early spring. The prime window to visit is between January and February, when the snowpack reaches its peak depth, and the slopes are meticulously groomed.
• Book Your Accommodation Early: Ski season is very popular and you must book well in advance, especially during the Lunar New Year.
• Book Your Bullet Train Shinkansen Tickets in Advance: They do sell out, even on weekdays. We had to sit separately one way and the way back we luckily got seats by booking in advance. We recommend booking train tickets via Klook because the local Japanese website is very confusing.
• Rent Gear on Site: If you’re like us and lack space in your suitcase for bulky ski jackets and pants, fret not! The resort provides convenient rental facilities where you can easily acquire all the necessary gear.
• Take advantage of currency conversion: As of time of writing this post, 1 USD yields 150 Yen, marking a significant increase of 50% compared to five years ago when 1 USD equated to slightly over 100 Yen. This makes Japan considerably more affordable than pre-pandemic times.
• Don’t forget to bring a small towel to enjoy the onsen!

Our Bottom Line

In conclusion, our week-long adventure in Nozawa Onsen was nothing short of incredible. Growing up surrounded by the snowy peaks of the French Alps, the chance to experience Japan’s renowned powder snow was a dream come true for me. From the moment we arrived in the picturesque village, we were enchanted by its traditional charm and warm hospitality.

Days filled with exhilarating skiing on the slopes were perfectly complemented by relaxing soaks in the hot springs to close the day. It’s the perfect combination!

If you love skiing or snowboarding you must check out Nozawa Onsen! If you’ve been please let us know what your experience has been by leaving us a comment in the comments section below. And if you haven’t been, let us know if you would consider going!