You can book a Snow Monkey tour through the local tour provider, Nozawa Onsen Kotsu. The tour typically takes about half a day. Read more about Snow Monkeys.
Nozawa offers a variety of non-skiing activities such as onsens, snow monkey tours, a climbing gym (The Dojo), yoga, snowshoeing, and many wonderful cafes and restaurants. Read more about upcoming events or things to do.
Generally, there is enough snow to ski by Christmas, and the resort plans to open in December. However, we cannot guarantee snow conditions. The ski resort usually remains open until the first week of May (Golden Week).
Yes, Nozawa has two pharmacies and a clinic with both an orthopaedic doctor and a general practitioner. The nearest large hospital is in Iiyama, about a 30-minute drive from Nozawa.
Yes, there are small local supermarkets and shops where you can get food and basic necessities. For a larger variety of food, you might consider visiting bigger supermarkets in Iiyama if you are staying in a self-contained apartment.
No, you do not need a car in Nozawa. Everything is within walking distance. Having a car can be inconvenient because parking spots are limited, and the roads are small and icy during winter.
No, there are no mixed onsens in Nozawa. Traditionally, bathhouses are not mixed.
Yes, it’s fine to bring children to the onsen. Note that some Onsen may be very hot. You can add cold water to make the temperature more comfortable, especially for children. Read our Onsen Guide.
In Nozawa, unlike many places in Japan, tattoos are generally accepted in onsens. Everyone can enjoy the public baths in Nozawa
Yes, most restaurants and cafes in Nozawa are open six or seven days a week, including during holidays and Christmas. Please check out our Restaurant Guide.
Yes, we recommend booking restaurants in advance. Our restaurant guide lists popular restaurants in Nozawa. Most restaurants have English-speaking staff and easy reservation systems, either in person or online.
Bookings for our Tengu Sushi Restaurant will be available online 90 days before the desired date. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified as soon as bookings open and secure your spot at our popular restaurant. If you are visiting Nozawa in the summer, the restaurant is open for walk-ins, and you can view our summer menu here.
Our Teppanyaki restaurant is open from mid-December to late March. Reservations will be available online 90 days before the desired date. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified as soon as bookings open and secure your spot at our popular restaurant.
Nozawa has two main gondolas: the Hikage Gondola and the Nagasaka Gondola. We recommend renting your gear from the rental shop closest to your accommodation. As our guest, you will receive a 10% discount at the following shops:
Yes, we highly recommend booking your rental gear in advance. You'll receive a 10% discount on rental equipment by doing so.
Online, you can select the type of gear and size that suits your needs. Your gear will be ready for pick-up on your first day of skiing.
Although you will need to try on and adjust the gear at the shop, this process will save you a lot of time on your skiing day. You can also pick up your gear the afternoon before your first ski day.
After skiing, you can leave your gear in the rental shop’s dry room, so you don’t have to carry it back to your hotel.
When making online rental reservations, your card will only be charged when you actually pick up your gear.
Rental gear and lift tickets are not included in the lesson price. If this is your first time skiing / snowboarding you might not need a lift ticket on your first day. Ask your instructor if you need to buy one for the next day.
Private lessons are for up to 4 people per instructor, with the price remaining the same. However, we recommend separating adult and children’s lessons since they learn differently. Adults need more technical explanations, while children learn through play and less explanation. Also, children can get distracted if their parents are around. Contact our lesson team for more details.
Yes, all our instructors are English-speaking and internationally qualified.
Our ski school can arrange a meeting point at your convenience. Generally, we recommend meeting by your rental shop near the gondolas. If you prefer a different location, please email us using the contact form on our lessons page.
Children 5 years old and younger do not require a lift ticket and can go through the gate with an adult. Children aged 6-15 get discounted junior prices, while those 16 and older are considered adults.
No problem! You can decide how many days you want to ski upon arrival. Stay Nozawa offers flexible lift tickets, so you’re not bound to consecutive days. You can also purchase additional days during your stay.
You can book flexible lift tickets through us in advance. Flexible tickets are not available directly from the ski resort. For example, a 5-day ticket can be used over a 7-day period, giving you control over when to ski. Secure your ticket vouchers in advance, and they’ll be ready upon your arrival. Exchange the vouchers at any ski resort ticket booth for a pass, which grants access to both gondolas and all lifts. Prices are based on the previous season rates and may change if the ski resort adjusts its prices.
If you have booked your accommodation with us. You will receive an email reminder when bookings for extra services open.
We recommend booking extra services in advance to make your stay hassle-free. Your rental gear will be ready for fitting based on your chosen size, lift pass vouchers will be ready at check-in, and lessons should be secured early as dates and times get booked quickly.
During peak seasons, it's advisable to purchase your return Shinkansen tickets before arriving at Nozawa Onsen, as they can sell out. Note that tickets are only available 30 days before the travel date. If you are travelling in Japan before or after your stay in Nozawa Onsen, consider the Japan Rail Pass. The Japan Rail Pass is a convenient, economical option for travel by train throughout Japan and is jointly offered by the six JR Group companies. Read more about the bullet train here.
You can take the Nagano Snow Shuttle bus directly from the airport to Nozawa. Our bookings team can assist with the booking. Alternatively, you can travel via the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Iiyama Station. More information on traveling by Shinkansen is available here.
Yes, we offer a transfer service from and to Iiyama Station. Just let us know your arrival and departure times, and we can arrange a pick-up or drop-off. More information is available here. If you need to travel between ski resorts or take a bus directly from the airport, we can assist with booking the Nagano Snow Shuttle. Please email us or fill out the inquiry form here.
Nozawa Ski Resort has two main gondolas, the Hikage Gondola and the Nagasaka Gondola, where you can start your skiing day. All our accommodations are conveniently located near the lifts, in walking distance. Upon arrival, ask our reception team which gondola is closest to your accommodation. A google maps link for each property is available on our contact page.
All Schneider Hotel rooms include daily breakfast during the winter season. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and the rates remain the same even if you do not require breakfast.
We cannot guarantee specific room types until the day of check-in. Our bookings team will note your preference, but rooms are allocated automatically by our booking system.
Yes, please let us know if you require a baby cot for your infant, and we can set it up for you prior to your arrival.
There is no microwave to use in the rooms or common areas.
Yes, there is a washing machine in the common area, free for guests to use.
Yes, we have a drying room for storing your skis, jackets, boots, and other gear. We also collaborate with "Shirakaba Rentals," which has a rental shop within our hotel.
Deluxe Suite with Loft and Deluxe Loft: These rooms have private bathrooms with toilets and showers.
Japanese-Style Rooms: These rooms do not have private bathrooms. Shared toilet and shower facilities are available on each floor.
The Schneider Hotel features a Japanese-style bathhouse with separate facilities for men and women.
Hotel Rooms: All hotel-type rooms include daily breakfast during the winter season. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and the rates remain the same even if you do not require breakfast.
Apartment: Our apartment-type accommodations, which have fully equipped kitchens, do not include breakfast. However, you can have breakfast at our café, subject to availability. You can order à la carte and pay on the day.
We cannot guarantee specific room types until the day of check-in. Our bookings team will note your preference, but rooms are allocated automatically by our booking system.
Yes, please let us know if you require a baby cot for your infant, and we can set it up for you prior to your arrival.
Our apartment-type accommodations with a full-size kitchen are equipped with a microwave. However, our hotel rooms and one-bedroom apartments do not have a microwave.
Yes, there is a washing machine in the common area, free for guests to use.
Yes, we have a dry room where you can store your skis, jackets, boots, and other gear. If you rent gear from one of the rental shops on the mountain, you can also leave it there. All rental shops have drying rooms and ski storage facilities.
Yes, all Tanuki rooms and apartments have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet.
Tanuki Apartments and Tanuki Hotel do not have an in-house onsen or bathhouse. All our rooms feature private bathrooms. The famous public onsen “O-Yu” is just across the road, and there are many other onsens nearby.
Yes, you will be reminded before your next payment is due via email.
You can review your booking details through the link provided by our bookings team to check your booking status. If the payment has been processed, you will receive a payment confirmation.
If the room capacity allows, we can add an additional person for ¥4,000 per night. However, we cannot exceed the room's maximum capacity.
Children 3 years old and older will use a full bed and are charged the same price as adults. Infants below 3 years are free of charge, though breakfast is not included for infants.
Yes, we offer packages that include lift tickets, transfers to and from the station, and dinners at Tengu Sushi, Teppanyaki, and The Schneider Hotel. You can tailor the package to your needs. We also offer ski lessons and can assist with booking rental gear. Please contact our bookings team for package enquiries.
Yes, closer to the date we will release short-stay options. Alternatively, contact our bookings team at bookings@staynozawa.com. We may have short-stay gaps available.
Our apartment-type accommodations require a minimum stay of 7 nights, and our hotel room types require a minimum stay of 5 nights. However, rate plans can change closer to the date, allowing for shorter stays. Please contact our bookings team at bookings@staynozawa.com to check for the availability of shorter stays.
Bookings for the winter season 2026 will open in spring 2025. You can sign up for our mailing list to be instantly notified once bookings are about to open.
Bookings for the winter season 2024/2025 are open since March 2024. Should you have trouble finding availability, contact our bookings team at bookings@staynozawa.com or fill in our enquiry form with your preferred dates and accommodation type.
The Green Season in Nozawa runs from May to November. Bookings for the summer months are now open and can be made on our website. For more information about the Green Season, please visit this link.
Payment Policy
Package Cancellation Policy
We will send you a tentative quote and hold your reservation for 3 days. To secure and confirm the booking, we require a deposit payment of 20% of the total accommodation cost. Once the payment is received, your booking is confirmed and you will receive a confirmation email.
Contact our bookings team at bookings@staynozawa.com with your preferred dates and the number of people. Alternatively, you can make an enquiry through our booking form.
Not necessarily. It might mean:
Nozawa is a small village, so everything is within walking distance. All our properties are in prime locations. If you prefer to stay in the village center, we recommend Tanuki Nozawa, Dennojo, Oguma House, Mountainside Otake, or Kihachikan. For accommodations closer to the lifts, we suggest The Schneider Hotel, which offers ski-in/ski-out access, or Iroha Apartments and Kamoshika Lodge, both of which are conveniently located for skiing. All these accommodations are within a 5-10 minute walk to the gondolas or the village center.
