Nozawa Onsen is a ski resort located in Nagano, Japan, sitting at an elevation range of 1,837ft (560m) to 5,249ft (1600m). With a vertical drop of 3,412ft (1040m), the resort offers 50 trails served by 20 lifts across 740 skiable acres. The nearest airport is Narita International (NRT), approximately 210 minutes by car. Known for exceptional snowfall, Nozawa Onsen averages 480 inches of snow per year, making it one of the snowiest resorts in Japan.
Mid December to Early May
Fresh, uncompacted snow. Ideal conditions.
220cm
Snow Depth
(87")
-3°C
-10°C to -3°C
(14°F / 27°F)
480"
Annual Snowfall
(1219cm)
0%
Snowmaking
coverage
480"
annual avg
50
Total Trails
20
Lifts
740
Skiable Acres
3,412ft
Vertical Drop
Nozawa Onsen offers a balanced mix of terrain with 40% beginner, 30% intermediate, 20% advanced, and 10% expert-only runs. The generous proportion of green runs makes this a solid choice for beginners and families learning to ski.
20
Total Lifts
3,412ft
Vertical Drop
1,040m
(3,412ft)
5,249ft
Peak
1,837ft
Base
Day pass pricing across the season
$47
avg/day
January offers the best overall balance of snow quality, crowd levels, and pricing at Nozawa Onsen. Expect reliable powder days with an average of 220cm of fresh snowfall. Moderate crowds mean reasonable lift lines, especially on weekdays.
February
200cm snow, moderate crowds, $52/day
May
$38/day, 5cm snow, very low crowds
220cm
snowfall
-3°/-10°
high/low °C
crowds
$52
day pass
200cm
snowfall
-1°/-8°
high/low °C
crowds
$52
day pass
140cm
snowfall
3°/-4°
high/low °C
crowds
$48
day pass
50cm
snowfall
9°/2°
high/low °C
crowds
$42
day pass
5cm
snowfall
16°/7°
high/low °C
crowds
$38
day pass
160cm
snowfall
-1°/-8°
high/low °C
crowds
$52
day pass
Monthly conditions are based on historical averages. Actual conditions vary year to year. Click on any month for detailed weather forecasts, crowd analysis, and packing tips for Nozawa Onsen.
Adult Day Pass
$48
per day
Season Pass
$650
full season
Day pass pricing at Nozawa Onsen varies by date. Peak periods (holidays and weekends) may cost 10-15% more. Purchasing lift tickets online in advance typically saves $10-20 per ticket. Nozawa Onsen is not currently part of a major multi-resort pass. Check the resort website for group rates and multi-day ticket bundles.
Narita International (NRT)
Approx. 210 min drive
Nagano, Japan 🇯🇵
36.9233°N, 138.6325°E
The drive from Narita International to Nozawa Onsen takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. Consider booking a shuttle transfer or renting a car with winter tires and chains.
Nozawa Onsen offers a range of accommodation options for every budget. On-mountain lodging provides ski-in/ski-out convenience but typically costs 30-50% more than staying in the nearest town. Budget travelers can find hostel-style accommodations starting around $40 per night, while mid-range hotels and condos average $100-180 per night. Luxury ski-in/ski-out properties can exceed $250 per night during peak periods.
Booking 2-3 months in advance secures better rates, especially for holiday periods. Many resorts offer lift-and-lodging packages that bundle accommodation with multi-day tickets at a discount.