Top 5 NOZAWA ONSEN Hotels & Ryokans for 2024 and Beyond [LUXURY/BUDGET]

PLEASE READ BELOW BEFORE BOOKING
Nozawa Onsen is a hot spring town renowned for high-quality hot springs and leading ski resorts. The town is extremely popular among skiers during the winter season.
HOW TO GET TO NOZAWA ONSEN
The town is located in Nagano Prefecture, approximately 240 km from Tokyo. The easiest way to reach the town is by using Nagano Snow Shuttle (naganosnowshuttle.com/), which provides direct shuttle bus service from Haneda and Narita airports to the town. However, this service is only available during winter.
Alternatively, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Iiyama Station, then take the Nozawa Onsen Liner bus from there to reach Nozawa.
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Expedia: (expedia.com/affiliates/touris...)
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FEATURED HOTELS & RYOKANS:
1. RYOKAN SAKAYA
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2. TANUKI NOZAWA
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3. LODGE MATSUYA
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4. HAUS ST. ANTON
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5. TOKIWAYA
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Regarding aparthotels, they are pricier than most hotels & ryokans in Nozawa. However, the accommodation they provide are more spacious and even better equipped. Thus, they are excellent options for families and groups, planning to stay in Nozawa more than a few days.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
1. Like in other onsen towns, booking a room with breakfast is highly recommended. Although Nozawa Onsen has more restaurants than most other onsen towns, most are not open in the morning, leaving you with very few options. These options are certainly far worse than the exquisite ryokan breakfast.
2. If you want an authentic ryokan experience, always book a dinner with your accommodation. Dinner is a highlight of every stay in a ryokan, and the chef will always use the best local ingredients. Some ryokans may even offer a meal upgrade for guests to try top-tier delicacies made from rare, expensive ingredients.
It is crucial to arrive at your ryokan shortly before the scheduled dinner time. If you are too late, the staff may not serve you the meal, even if you have already paid for it.
3. Based on my experience, rooms with futons are not recommended for the elderly or people with mobility issues. Always book rooms with western beds for them.
4. Some rooms at the ryokans do not have private bathrooms. You will need to bath or shower at the public bathroom. This may not be convenient for some. Thus, always check carefully before booking to ensure that your desired room has a private bathroom.
Our Criteria for the list:
- Located in Nozawa Onsen, Nagano, Japan
- Prime Location (Close to restaurants, shops, or tourist attractions)
- Receive excellent review scores (at least 80%) on all booking platforms
- Sufficiently spacious for 2 guests.
- All rooms must be air-conditioned.
- Facilities must be sufficient for guests to stay with comfort.
- No cleanliness or service issues
- My personal experience with the accommodation (if any) must be positive.