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Elevation
565m–1,644m
Ski area
50 km
Lifts
21
Nearest airport
Shinshu-Matsumoto Airport (MMJ) - 97 km
Schools
2 listed
Overview
Nozawa Onsen at a glance
Common questions
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Iiyama, which takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Iiyama station, a local bus service completes the journey to the village in approximately 25 minutes.
- Yes, beginners have excellent options. The Hikage area at the base offers gentle slopes, and the Uenotaira plateau provides wide, sunny pistes perfect for building confidence.
- Intermediate skiers will enjoy long, scenic runs from the Yamabiko area at 1,400m, descending over 1,000m vertical to the village. This provides consistent, picturesque terrain for cruising.
- Advanced skiers can find challenging terrain in the Yamabiko area, known for its steep, ungroomed slopes and opportunities for deep powder. The Schneider Course is a demanding black run.
- The resort is a 1,300-year-old hot spring village, famous for its narrow stone streets and 13 free public onsen. It also boasts an impressive average annual snowfall of 40 feet.
The mountain
Ski area details
Key stats
Summit1,644m
Base565m
Vertical drop (resort)1,079m
Total Lifts21
Total Slopes50 km
The mountain
Ratings
Editorial suitability scores from the Find a Ski School team on a 1–5 scale. These are not visitor reviews.
Skiing
Beginners
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-piste
Snowboarding
Snow guarantee
Resort
Family friendly
Après ski
The mountain
Ski area map
Explore the ski runs and pistes around Nozawa Onsen. Toggle the ski piste overlay using the layer control.
Ski piste data from OpenSnowMap.org (CC-BY-SA)
Lesson providers
Ski schools at Nozawa Onsen
Explore by activity:Group Ski Lesson in Nozawa OnsenKids Ski School in Nozawa OnsenPrivate Ski Lesson in Nozawa OnsenPrivate Snowboard Lesson in Nozawa OnsenSkiing in Nozawa OnsenSnowboarding in Nozawa Onsen
0 schools
About the resort
About Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen is an outdoor ski area in Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The available data lists terrain from 565 m to 1644 m elevation, 50 km of recorded slopes and 21 lifts.
About the resort
Key facts about Nozawa Onsen
The lifts run between 565m and 1,644m, a vertical drop of 1,079m. 50 km of marked pistes are served by 21 lifts. The nearest airport is Shinshu-Matsumoto Airport (MMJ) - 97 km.
Who teaches here
Ski schools and instructors in Nozawa Onsen
2 ski schools are listed at Nozawa Onsen.
- Nozawa Onsen Ski School — Ski school.
- Nozawa Onsen Snow School — Ski school. Teaches skiing, snowboarding, private ski lesson, kids ski school, group ski lesson, and private snowboard lesson. Lessons in English and Japanese.
Lessons by activity
Activities you can learn in Nozawa Onsen
Lessons at Nozawa Onsen are offered in group ski lesson, kids ski school, private ski lesson, private snowboard lesson, skiing, and snowboarding.
- Group Ski Lesson lessons in Nozawa Onsen — One listed school teaches group ski lesson.
- Kids Ski School lessons in Nozawa Onsen — One listed school teaches kids ski school.
- Private Ski Lesson lessons in Nozawa Onsen — One listed school teaches private ski lesson.
- Private Snowboard Lesson lessons in Nozawa Onsen — One listed school teaches private snowboard lesson.
- Skiing lessons in Nozawa Onsen — One listed school teaches skiing.
- Snowboarding lessons in Nozawa Onsen — One listed school teaches snowboarding.
Resort guide
Nozawa Onsen resort guide
Nozawa Onsen is a 1,300-year-old hot spring village nestled beneath a ski resort. It is renowned for its narrow stone streets, 13 free public onsen, and an impressive average annual snowfall of 40 feet.
To reach Nozawa Onsen, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen high-speed train from Tokyo to Iiyama, a journey of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Iiyama station, a local bus service will take you the rest of the way to the village in about 25 minutes.
Intermediate skiers will greatly enjoy the long, scenic runs that descend from the Yamabiko area, situated at 1,400m, all the way down to the village. This provides over 1,000m of consistent, picturesque terrain perfect for cruising.
Beginners have excellent options at Nozawa Onsen. The Hikage area at the base of the resort offers gentle slopes that are ideal for those just starting out. Additionally, the Uenotaira plateau, easily accessible via gondola, provides wide and sunny pistes perfect for building confidence.
Advanced skiers will find challenging terrain, particularly in the Yamabiko area at the top of the mountain. This zone is known for its steep, ungroomed slopes and opportunities for deep powder skiing. The Schneider Course is a demanding black run. For those looking to explore further, backcountry guiding services are available.
Nozawa Onsen offers a rich cultural experience that complements its superb skiing. The village is home to:
- Public Onsen: There are 13 free public onsen (hot springs) scattered throughout the village, each a small wooden bathhouse with its own distinct temperature and character. Remember to bring a small towel, and note that the green onsen water can stain white towels, so dark ones are recommended.
- Dosojin Fire Festival: Witness one of Japan's most spectacular traditional festivals, the Dosojin Fire Festival, held annually on January 15th.
- Ogama communal cooking pot: Discover the Ogama communal cooking pot, heated by natural hot springs and used by locals for preparing food.
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Find a school here
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Nearby
Discover more ski resorts in Japan
Listed ski areas nearby include Hokuryuko (4 km), Madarao (6 km), Kitashinshu Shinanodaira (8 km), Togari Onsen (8 km), Shinanodaira (10 km), and Iiyama Kokusai (12 km).