Where is the best place to stay in Nozawa Onsen? Nozawa Onsen is a compact village with everything you will need within walking distance along (mostly) heated streets; this includes the ski resort which can be accessed by foot or by a short trip on the free ski shuttle bus. To walk from one side of Nozawa Onsen to the other takes around 15 minutes; continue reading to find out which area will suit you best for your stay. 

As a general rule, If you choose to stay next to the ski resort chairlifts, you will have a longer walk to the village amenities such as restaurants, hot springs, shops etc. If you stay in the centre of the village, you will have a longer walk to the ski resort. Anyone who is fit enough to ski all day will have no problem walking around the village or accessing the ski resort from the majority of accommodations in Nozawa Onsen. 

Are there any exceptions? Yes there are. Nakao (Karasawa area) in Nozawa Onsen has restaurants, cafes, rental shops etc, all within a few minutes walk of a chairlift to access the ski resort which means the best of both worlds; less walking uphill in ski gear and easy access to all village amenities (great areas to stay for those with kids). It should also be noted that staying next to the Yu-road escalator is another exception, although this includes quite a steep walk to most village amenities.

Pros of staying in the village centre:

1. Easy walking to restaurants, cafes, shops, hot springs and temples. All of these highlights in the compact, traditional village set Nozawa Onsen apart from other ski resorts in Japan.
2. Late arrival for check-ins. Accommodation in the village can be accessed by walking, bus or taxi, even late at night.
3. One area of the village also has a chairlift (Nakao), which give you the best of both worlds. 
4. A free ski shuttle bus runs between the village and the ski resort, helpful if skiing with children.

Cons of staying in the village centre:

1. Walking to the ski resort gondola or chairlifts is usually uphill, in ski gear.
2. If you are staying right in the village centre, in an area with nightlife (O-yu area for example) there is a chance of noise on the streets late at night. 
3. If you decide to take the free shuttle bus to the ski resort, it can fill up quickly on weekends and public holidays (although extra buses do run during these times). Overall, this free bus service is very convenient if you are staying in a lower part of the village. 

Pros of staying closer to the ski resort:

1. Less walking in uncomfortable ski boots. After skiing, get changed and walk to the village in more comfortable clothing/shoes, or choose a restaurant closer by if unable to walk far. There are some restaurant options open at night closer to the ski resort.
2. Quieter than staying in the village centre.

Cons of staying closer to the ski resort:

1. The village itself is a highlight in Nozawa Onsen. Staying closer to the ski resort usually means you will need to walk further to access village amenities. If you stay even further up on the snow, this can be quite difficult or impossible, especially during a blizzard late at night.
2. Arrival to your accommodation for check-in may not be possible during certain hours, especially if the accommodation is located on the snow. Regular taxis or cars cannot reach these areas. Make sure you contact your accommodation prior to booking and time your arrival to suit that of the accommodation. Otherwise you may end up needing to book somewhere else in the village for your first night.

When staying in Nozawa Onsen, you are never too far from either the village centre or the ski resort. Should you have any questions about where to stay, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to help.

When do hotels in Nozawa Onsen start taking bookings each year?

It really depends on the owner. In general, small Japanese owned hotels and ryokan start taking bookings later in the year around September, some foreign owned lodges start taking bookings years in advance.

Nozawa Peaks starts taking bookings for the following winter in April each year.