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Nestled in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, Nozawa Onsen is a quaint hot spring village with a population of under 4,000. Known for its 13 free “Soto-Yu” bathhouses, the natural hot spring water—reaching up to 90°C—is cooled to around 41°C for bathing, offering a rejuvenating experience, especially in winter.
To the east, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort features two main base areas: Nagasaka, with parking and day-tripper access, and Hikage, connected to the village via the “Yu-Road” escalator. Steep roads lead to the resort, though heated streets help keep them ice-free.
Compared to Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen is more compact and walkable, with traditional Japanese inns and a growing number of self-contained lodgings. Its nightlife scene is expanding, with new bars and restaurants each season.
The Chuo Terminal serves as the main transport hub, with access to nearby ski resorts like Togari and Madarao Kogen for day trips.
Shuttle Bus:
From December 15 to March 31, a free shuttle bus runs between the Nozawa Grand Hotel and the Nagasaka Gondola, with stops at Shinyu (Grand Hotel), Asahiya, Shinden, Nakao, Maesaka Entrance, #2 Car Park, Sparina, and the Gondola. The trip takes about 20 minutes, depending on road conditions. Most accommodations are within walking distance of these stops. There is no night shuttle, as the village is small and easily walkable.
Taxis:
Nozawa Onsen has two taxi companies: Nozawa Kanko Taxi and Nozawa Onsen Kotsu, with limited vehicles. For taxi bookings, it’s best to call in advance, especially between 9-10am. English is minimal, so it’s helpful to write your destination in Japanese. Note that taxis do not accept credit cards, so carry cash.
Nozawa Onsen Village:
The main street offers cafés, bars, souvenir shops, restaurants, and hot springs. Off the main street, narrow lanes are perfect for exploring. Many shops do not accept credit cards, so it’s advisable to carry cash. Free Wi-Fi is limited.
Hot Springs:
Nozawa Onsen is known for its 13 public hot springs, open daily from 6:00am to 11:00pm, and free to use. These can get crowded, particularly after skiing hours. There are also two free foot baths for those not comfortable with full baths.
Free Wi-Fi:
Free Wi-Fi is available at the Nagasaka Gondola Station and the Tourism Association near the Chuo Bus Terminal.
Laundromats:
A laundromat is located 400m south of Chuo Bus Terminal, open daily from 6:00am to 11:00pm.
Convenience Stores & Supermarkets:
A small Yamazaki Y Shop near Kanamori Sports offers basic groceries, alcohol, and sandwiches, open from 7:30am to 10:00pm. Liquor stores in the village sell a variety of alcoholic beverages. For larger supermarkets, head to Iiyama City, about 20-25 minutes by car.
Nozawa Onsen has limited ATM access with strict withdrawal limits and operating hours.
For currency exchange, head to the Nagasaka Gondola ticket counter, open from 8:30am to 5:00pm. Currencies accepted are USD, AUD, EUR, SGD, CNY, and TWD. Expect high traffic during peak times, so it’s best to exchange currency during off-peak hours.
Nozawa Onsen has 24-hour police presence, with the Police Box located 20 meters down the hill from Chuo Bus Terminal. Fire and paramedic services are available, with response times typically within 10 minutes to central Nozawa and 15 minutes to the Ski Resort.
There are two clinics and one dentist in town, offering general care for minor ailments and injuries. For serious conditions, patients are referred to the Iiyama Red Cross Hospital, about 20 minutes away by ambulance. After hours, English-speaking staff may not be available. If Iiyama Red Cross cannot accommodate a case, patients may be redirected to Hokushin General Hospital (35 minutes) or an emergency hospital in Nagano City (50 minutes).
In medical emergencies, paramedics communicate with hospital staff, and ambulances may be rerouted if needed. If an ambulance is called, it’s recommended that someone accompany the patient, ideally someone familiar with their medical history. Avoid following the ambulance, as the destination may change.
In critical cases, a rescue helicopter may be used to transfer patients to Hokushin General Hospital or Nagano Red Cross Hospital.
