There are several ways you can get to Nozawa Onsen. We highly recommend using our Shuttle Bus Service, as this shuttle will take you all the way from the airport, to Nozawa Onsen. Save the hassle of carrying your luggage – it’s too easy!
If the shuttle bus does not suit we have other options listed below, plus some helpful information from the staff at Nozawa Holidays.
By Bus
Our Bus Service from Narita/Haneda in Tokyo to Nozawa Onsen
Fares from:
- From 14,190 Yen per person
- Infants Free of charge (3yrs and under/ no seat guarantee)
Cheaper than the Chuo Taxi and easier than the train if you are arriving in the evening.
Chuo Taxi
There is a great transport service from the airports in Tokyo when the above Snow Shuttle is not operating
It takes 5-6 hours from either Airport to our door, including regular comfort stops.
You can make bookings directly through Chuo Taxi Airport Direct website. There are English speaking assistants available.
- Email: otoiawase@chuotaxi.co.jp
- Ph (Japan): +81 262 82 7777
By Train
There is Shinkansen (Bullet train) from Tokyo to Iiyama Station. It only takes about 2 Hours! Then take the Nozawa Onsen Liner Bus for 600 Yen from Iiyama station up to Nozawa Onsen, or alternatively a Taxi for about 5000 Yen.
You can send your bags up to Nozawa from the Airport or anywhere in Japan with Black Cat Courier Service. More details here;Courier Service Nozawa Onsen
Note: You can not book the Nozawa Onsen Liner. Please purchase tickets at the machine next to the bus stop.
From Tokyo Airport
- From Narita or Haneda (Tokyo) Airport take an Express Train to Tokyo or Ueno Station (approx 60-90 min)
- Catch New Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Iiyama Station (approx 100 min)
- Catch Nozawa Onsen Liner bus or taxi from Iiyama Station to Nozawa Onsen Village (approx 20 min)
Here is a great link to Train Travel to Nozawa Onsen and around Japan: Train Nozawa Onsen and around Japan
Taxi from Iiyama Station to Nozawa
Iiyama Station Tourist Office on the ground floor is open between 8:30-18:00. There will be someone who speaks English and can help to book taxi if you walk in there on that day. Please note that sometimes it is difficult to get a taxi because there are a limited number of cars.
Nozawa Onsen Kotsu has taxis and you can prebook in English through their web site if it is more than 3 days prior. If you need taxi within 3 days, you have to call their office. There are normally English speaking staff. Their taxi is fairly large and it can easily take a few people with suitcases. Just let them know how many you are.
Nozawa Onsen Kotsu: 0269 85 3333
The following 2 companies located in Iiyama City also offer taxi service and you can prebook through them as well but they don’t have any staffs who can speak English.
Iiyama Kanko Hire: 0269 63 3232
Nagano Kotsu: 0269 62 2013
It cost approximately 7000 yen from Iiyama Station to Nozawa but please confirm it when you book the taxi.
If you are checking into a self contained location you can go direct to the house or apartment
Please go direct if arriving after 7pm
Train – Note it now possible to book Bullet Trains on Line from June 2019 Book Trains Online Japan
By Car
Car – Getting to Nozawa Onsen
Guests living in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka often come up to Nozawa by car. It is possible and good if you have a big group or think you want to drive to other resorts or villages in the area for day trips. Not many overseas guests will come up by car as it can be a bit tricky to navigate and you will not need a car when in Nozawa Onsen. It is a very compact town and you can walk everywhere easily or if you need take the shuttle bus or a taxi. Parking can be a problem too as is very limited and there is a good chance you will have to dig it out in winter!
Getting to Nozawa Onsen from Tokyo by car, especially in the winter, is a not easy trip. The cost, assuming you are renting a car, is not much less than taking the trains or buses and unless you are comfortable driving Japanese expressways the train or bus seems like a more sensible route. And remember since you will likely be coming in the winter anticipate hazardous road conditions especially as you approach Nozawa Onsen. If you do chose to drive then you will want a 4wd and winter tyres or take tyre chains, extra antifreeze and your GPS or a good map.
There are a few different routes up from Tokyo and your Google Maps or Navi are your best friend here
One option is to drive to Yuzawa via the Kanetsu Expressway. Then from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi Interchange take routes Route 353 and Route 117 though the mountain range to Nozawa Onsen.
Nearest Expressway is Joshinetsu and nearest national road is Route 117
For any more information on how to get to us please ask.
Notes from Mark
Transportation Notes From the team at Nozawa Holidays
We look forward to welcoming you to ski Japan soon.
The safest and easiest way to travel to Nozawa Onsen from either Narita or Haneda airports is via our Snow Shuttle Snow Shuttle to Nozawa Onsen
If already in Tokyo then the Bullet Train to Iiyama and Nozawa Onsen Liner from there to Nozawa Onsen. The entire trip from the Narita Airport in Tokyo to your destination will take as little as 2 – 3 Hours by bullet train from Tokyo City and a bit longer by Shuttle at about 5- 6 Hours from the Airports Narita and Haneda
You can also ship your luggage directly from the Airport to us, so that you don’t have to carry it around if you’re doing some sight-seeing!
Your Nozawa Onsen accommodation may be able to arrange for you to be met at the Tokyo airport by a private taxi/bus that will take you directly to their establishment for around 12,000 yen per person (prices vary).
If you arrange your own transportation, the first leg of the trip is on one of Japan’s speedy and efficient bullet trains.
From the Tokyo or Ueno Train Station you catch the Hokuriku Bullet Train (Hokuriku Shinkansen) directly to the Iiyama Train Station takes about 1 Hour 45 minutes, then transfer to the Nozawa Onsen Bus for the final leg of the trip is just 20 Minutes.
Japan’s bullet trains are clean, comfortable and run on time.
Fastest & Easiest Way to Nozawa Onsen from Nagano Train Station
If you chose to take the local trains you will catch the local train at the Nagano Train Station to Togari Nozawa Onsen Train Station. This train trip will take about 60 minutes.
From the TogariNozawaOnsen Train Station you can catch a taxi directly to your Nozawa Onsen accommodation
The cost for a combination train/bus ride to Nozawa Onsen will range between 9,000-13,000 yen per person depending on the arrangements you chose.
From Tokyo To Nozawa By Car
Getting to Nozawa Onsen from Tokyo by car, especially in the winter can be tricky
The cost, assuming you are renting a car, is not much less than taking the trains or buses and unless you are comfortable driving Japanese expressways the train or bus seems like a more sensible route.
And remember, since you will likely be coming in the winter anticipate hazardous road conditions especially as you approach Nozawa Onsen.
If you do chose to drive take tire chains, extra antifreeze and your GPS or a good map. First you will drive to Yuzawa via the Kanetsu Expressway.
Then from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi Interchange take routes Route 353 and Route 117 though the mountain range to Nozawa Onsen.
You can also catch the train to either Iiyama or Nagano Stations and rent a car from there. Nagano has a better range of providers.
Getting to & from Nozawa Onsen
Getting Around Town
We have a great map of the town, showing all the areas of interest. You can find it here.
