Where to Stay in Nozawa Onsen: Best Ryokans, Hotels & Ski Lodges

While some ski resorts in Japan are great for day trips, others, like Nozawa Onsen, are best experienced as overnight and multi-day stays.

With walkable streets, free public onsen baths, and traditional-style ryokan, the village is just as much of the Nozawa experience as the ski slopes!

The only catch? Everyone wants to come ski and stay in this charming onsen village in northeast Nagano. And I can’t blame them!

Even though the village is compact, finding the right place to stay in Nozawa Onsen can make or break your trip; no two accommodation options are the same.

Given how wildly popular this village has become, hotels and ryokans (especially the best and most affordable ones) sell out fast.

I’ve drawn on my skiing experience in Nozawa last winter and poured it into this guide. Here’s how to choose where to stay in Nozawa Onsen, based on ski lift convenience and comfort for a winter trip!

Best Area to Stay in Nozawa Onsen for Skiing & Onsens

Nozawa Onsen is small enough to explore entirely on foot, but it helps to know the subtle differences between its areas before choosing where to stay.

On a map, you’ll see how Nozawa Onsen village lies at the western foothills of Mount Kenashi. There are two main access points to the ski resort—Hikage and Nagasaka—and the town center nestles snug in between.

Hikage Gondola Area

If your priority is to get to the slopes quicker (in particular, to the top of the mountain), then you’ll want to stay on the Nagasaka Gondola side of town.

However, the Hikage side sits closer to the main ski school and family-friendly slopes, making it ideal for beginner skiers. You’ll also find many of the town’s historic soto-yu (public baths) and restaurants within easy walking distance.

I find this area a bit nicer. There’s also the Yuzawa Shrine on this side of town.

Nagasaka Gondola Area

The Nagasaka side, where we accessed the slopes, offers the quickest access to the mountain via the Nagasaka Gondola, and is more popular with intermediate and advanced skiers who want to hit the top runs early (since this lift takes you up to Mount Kenashi via the Yamabiko and Yamabiko “four” lift—see map).

Accommodations around here often feature ski-in/ski-out access or easy gear storage. We rented our gear from Sports Thanx, at the foot of the lift, just before heading up!

Meanwhile, the central village area between the two gondolas is a maze of narrow streets lined with ryokans, izakayas, and onsen bathhouses.

No matter which side you choose, you’re never more than a 10–15ish minute walk from the slopes, baths, and the center of the town.

That said, accommodation is limited and competitive. Rooms book out months in advance, and prices spike in winter (December–March), so you’ll want to secure your stay early to lock in fair rates and prime locations. Click here to check what’s still available →

When searching for hotels in Nozawa, look for places that offer:

• On-foot access to the bus stop, village center, and ski lifts (some hotels or lodges can be quite far outside of the town if you’re not careful to check its location first!)
• Included breakfast or an on-site cafe to save time before hitting the slopes! Having breakfast included at our lodge meant we could eat, gear up, and get an early start.
• Private or in-house onsens, if you prefer not to use the free public baths (which is great for not “having to go out” after a long ski day!
• Gear storage and drying rooms, a must-have for multi-day ski trips (most hotels will have some ski storage or drying room, but be sure to check!).

More on where to stay below!

Our Stay at Lodge Yokochi

When I searched for hotels in Nozawa, my heart dropped a little. I had already planned our Nagano winter itinerary and slotted in at least two days of skiing… except when I looked, 99% of the hotels and ryokans in town were fully booked. 😳

Somehow, I found one hotel, very close to the bus stop, that had two consecutive nights free mid-week (I wanted to avoid having to change hotels mid-trip since we’d be skiing).

We stayed at Lodge Yokochi, and it turned out to be just what we needed!

Yokochi, even though it’s still expensive, is one of the reasonable options near the bus stop and village center.

Due to unavailability, we ended up in a triple tatami-style room with shared bathrooms (which probably made the price steeper). Not luxurious, but it did the job considering we weren’t going to be there half the time!

So, would we stay again? I don’t think so, if given the choice to spend just as much ($130+/night) on another ryokan or hotel closer to the slopes.

That said, the lodge does have its perks: a convenient gear storage and a drying room, and after checkout, we were even allowed to use the shared “onsen showers,” which I had to myself most days. While the amenities were simple (even outdated), the location was hard to argue… just steps from the shuttle stop, which, with our roller luggage, made things doable!

That said, there are definitely better-value options at this price, from beautiful ryokans (~$190 USD/night) to cozy family-run lodges (~$40 USD/night).

Here are more places to stay in Nozawa Onsen, categorized by area (Hikage vs Nagasaka) and best value!

Staying Near the Hikage Gondola (Central Area)

Hikage Gondola is probably closer to the heart of the town and one of the best areas to stay if you want ski-in/ski-out convenience.

They have ski rental shops at the top of the escalator, drop-off gear points, and it’s also close to Nozawa’s main restaurants and onsens.

You’ll find a mix of traditional ryokans and modern hotel stays here.

Located right near the travelator to Hikage, Ryokan Sakaya is probably one of the most beautiful ryokans in Nozawa. This long-standing inn is more luxurious than others, if nothing else for its delicious-looking indoor and open-air onsen baths and kaiseki dinners.

However, for true ski-in/ski-out access to the Hikage slopes, check out Lodge Hahnenkamm.

This cozy lodge has everything skiers could want—on-site gear storage, breakfasts, and instant access to the lifts!

While you’ll sacrifice being in the town for après-ski evenings, you’ll be the first on the slopes.

For more central options:

Tanuki – Self-contained apartments featuring kitchenettes, a downstairs cozy cafe-bar, and right in the heart of the village! Best for families or small groups.

Kawamotoya – A beautifully renovated aparthotel with bright, spacious suites and an in-house sento. Great for independent stays or digital nomads like me!

Hotels Near the Nagasaka Gondola (Fastest Lift Access)

If you’re serious about skiing, Nagasaka Gondola is where you’ll want to stay.

It’s slightly lower in the village, but the gondola gives you faster access to the top of Mount Kenashi.

Staying on this side means less walking in snow boots back to your guesthouse, which is farther in town.

My first choice for simple yet accommodating Japanese hospitality would be Tamayura Guesthouse. It’s a cozy and welcoming spot just steps from the Nagasaka Gondola.

If you’re looking for a more local experience with Nozawa’s residents, this is where I’d stay.

However, if you want a bit more independence and space, Nozawa Peaks is a contender. Its location gives you easy access to the slopes, too.

Then, for groups or longer stays, Akari House offers self-contained studio apartments and family suites with kitchenettes. Having the flexibility to cook your own meals between izakayas, plus the proximity to ski rental shops, is reason enough to stay here!

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Nozawa Onsen

It’s no surprise that, with a limited supply, accommodation in Nozawa Onsen is as expensive as in Kyoto or Tokyo.

That said, avoid booking at the last minute if you want to keep costs low.

Try to book at least 3–6 months in advance, if not more, to secure the best ski lodges at the foot of the mountain.

Also, try to look for deals with breakfast included or discounts on gear or lift passes. Some hotels offer these, plus free shuttles or gear storage.

Nozawa’s village atmosphere under snowfall is magical, and the free public onsens are worth braving the snow for. Though it will cost more per night, you could also look for ryokans with private onsens if you don’t want to go out in the public bathhouses.

My Final Thoughts on Where to Stay

If I had to do Nozawa over, I’d definitely book ahead to avoid slim pickings (because we definitely paid more for a triple room that we didn’t need).

Next time, I think it would be worth spending a little extra to be closer to the slopes on the north end of town near Hikage or tucked away toward Nagasaka. ✨

And while our lodge didn’t have a private onsen bath, it did have a communal “onsen shower room,” where you could bathe and enjoy sitting in the tub, so I’d probably try to find an inn with a private bath.

But wherever you stay, Nozawa isn’t too big, so you don’t need to worry about having a rental car or taking a bus—other than a shuttle!

You’ll be just steps away from the slopes, the free village baths, and the magic that makes Nozawa Onsen one of Japan’s most charming winter onsen towns.

Have any questions on ryokans, budget hotels, or ski-in ski-out lodges? Let me know in the comments below!