Nozawaonsen

Understand

It began as a hot spring (onsen) resort, but it's now best known as a major ski destination that is particularly popular among Australian visitors to Japan. It is home to about 3,000 people (1 March 2021)

Tourist information Nozawa Ski (official site)

Getting there

By plane There are no major airports near Nozawa. Most visitors fly into Tokyo, or perhaps Nagoya, and continue by train.

By train Nozawa is not directly served by trains. The nearest station is Iiyama on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, 1 hr 45 min from Tokyo. From Iiyama, Nozawa Onsen Liner direct express buses connect to Nozawa Onsen in 25 minutes (¥600/300 adult/child, as of Jan 2026).

Getting around

In ski season, the Nowaza Free Shuttle runs around the village, twice an hour on weekdays and up to 5 times per hour at peak times on weekends.

Sleep

A large part of Nozawa's charm are that there are no giant resort hotels: it's all smaller, non-chain lodges and chalets.

Go next

Take a day trip to see the famous bathing snow monkeys of Jigokudani in Yamanouchi.