Mountain town in Nagano, Japan
Nozawa Onsen
A traditional hot-spring village with 13 free public baths and one of Japan's longest ski runs. Charming and walkable, a good first ski trip. Winter is expensive and busy; summer is quiet.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,410–3,800Comfortable, one person · ¥380,000–600,000Details
- Value for money25/100Better value than 24% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goOct, Dec–MarWarmest: Aug, 28°CDetails
- Internet234 MbpsFixed broadband, Japan medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe to drink; village water is clean snowmelt.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$19–51Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundShinkansen to Iiyama + busVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashLodges and rental shops take cards; village restaurants, izakaya and some shops want cash.Details
Where to stay in Nozawa Onsen
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Village center (Oyu area) | Baths, shops, restaurants and old inns on foot |
| Ski-slope side (Hikage / Karasawa) | Ski-in, ski-out access to the Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort |
| Lower village | Cheaper guesthouses; a 10–15 min walk from the center |
Apps that work in Nozawa Onsen
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: LINE
- Visit Japan Web: Immigration and customs QR codes
- Suica or PASMO: Trains, buses and konbini payments
- Safety tips: Official quake, tsunami and weather alerts in English
- Taxis: No ride apps. Lodges arrange taxis and station pickups; book ahead in peak ski season when cars sell out.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Japan.
- Mixed: cards and cash Lodges and rental shops take cards; village restaurants, izakaya and some shops want cash. ATMs are at the village post office and convenience store.
- Currency: Yen (JPY). US$1 ≈ ¥157.82 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: 7-Eleven, Japan Post and AEON ATMs take foreign cards; ¥100,000 per withdrawal at 7-Eleven; small fee; decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not done and can confuse staff. Some restaurants add a 10% service charge, and izakaya often add a small seating charge (otoshi).
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards widely accepted; Suica or PASMO in Apple Wallet; PayPay shops take Alipay+ wallets.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Register on Visit Japan Web before flying to get immigration and customs QR codes instead of paper forms.
- JESTA, an online pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors, is planned by fiscal 2028; it is not required yet.
- The International Tourist Tax rose to ¥3,000 per departure on 1 July 2026, normally included in airfares.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787
Plugs
Type A, B. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Data-only SIMs and eSIMs sold at airports and Bic Camera or Yodobashi, about ¥2,000–6,000; voice numbers need a residence card. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Japan
Going to Nozawa Onsen solo?
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Sources
- Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
- Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort: access by train and bus
- Nagano Tourism
- Iiyama Red Cross Hospital
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.