Nozawa Onsen is known internationally for its high quality ski resort, but in recent years has also become a popular green season destination—tucked in the mountains of northern Nagano Prefecture, Nozawa is home to pristine countryside scenery, crystal clear lakes, summer festivals, and of course "onsen" hot springs—everything you could hope for from a summer destination in Japan!
To learn more about what Nozawa Onsen has to offer in all seasons, check out our page here: "25 Things to Do Around Nozawa Onsen"
On this page you will find the following information about Nozawa Onsen in the summer season:
Where is Nozawa Onsen?
Located around 50km (~1 hour drive) to the northeast of Nagano City and within easy reach of Tokyo – 260km (~4 hours drive), Nozawa Onsen is a historic hot spring town better known in recent years as one of Japan’s most popular ski resorts. The town lies around 20 to 25-minutes drive from Iiyama Station. As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa via Nagano, Iiyama Station is a convenient hub from where to reach Nozawa by shuttle bus or taxi – a total journey time of around 2 hours from Tokyo. Nozawa’s history as a hot spring town stretches back more than 1000 years but for international visitors, it is best-known for its fantastic ski resort and lively village offering some of Japan’s best apres ski. Outside of winter, Nozawa Onsen is much quieter but developing as an all-year-round destination with some excellent accommodation, dining, outdoor activities, hot springs and a couple of very good breweries enticing you to visit.
Best Summer Spots in Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen, though busting with activity in the winter, is more quiet and serene in the green season, making it the perfect escape from the big cities of Japan like Tokyo and Osaka. Also rich in nature and mountains, Nozawa has some great summer activities to enjoy, such as hiking and water sports, as well as unique summer festivals.
Here are the spots we recommend for your visit to Nozawa Onsen this summer:
The 13 Hot Springs of Nozawa Onsen
The 13 onsen (hot spring public baths) that give Nozawa its name are known for their traditional style, mineral rich water, and the relaxing mountain atmosphere surrounding them. These outdoor baths or "Soto-yu" have been around since the Edo Period and are free to use, as the local neighborhoods work together to share costs and maintain them. The bathhouses themselves are inside traditional style buildings and are individually unique, each one with its own story, history, and special quality to the water.
While hot springs may seem unappealing in the heat of summer, because of the high altitude in Nozawa Onsen (and Nagano prefecture in general), the temperature is slightly cooler, especially in the evening—making for the perfect hot spring environment. Walking the picturesque streets between the 13 bathhouses and testing the different baths is a wonderful way to enjoy the traditions of this unique mountain village.
Lake Hokuryu
Located 6km south (~10 minutes drive) of the main town of Nozawa, Lake Hokuryu is a pristine spring-fed lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for spending a summer day by the water. Visitors can enjoy walking trails around the lake, as well as water sports like SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. This lesser-known spot is a must-visit while you're in Nozawa in the summer!
Yuzawa Shrine
Yuzawa Shrine, or Yuzawa Jinja, is located on the main street in Nozawa Onsen and serves as the protective shrine of the town. With beautiful ornate wood carvings and a torii gate made from cedar, this shrine is a stunning location and definitely worth a visit. Additionally, if you are in Nozawa in September, there is also a local lantern festival held in the town every year dedicated to Yuzawa Shrine, where guests can join in the festivities and see Shinto dance performances.
Nozawa Onsen Breweries
Nagano prefecture is known for its high quality sake, with local breweries producing some of the country's best "nihonshu" from local rice and mountain spring water. Nozawa Onsen is no exception, and is home to several local breweries where visitors can try the various specialties, such as Mizuo Brewery and Nozawa Onsen Distillery, just to name a few.
Summer Activities in Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen offers a variety of activities to enjoy during the summer months, ranging from sports like hiking and mountain biking, to cultural experiences like festivals and local markets. Whether you are looking for an active and exciting summer, or a relaxing laid back vacation, Nozawa is a great outdoor destination.
Hiking and Trekking
The mountains of Nozawa Onsen are perfect for skiing in the winter, and similarly ideal for hiking in the summer. There are several day-trip trekking courses nearby the main town, for example trails leading up to Mt. Kenashiyama (1,650m) and the Kenashiyama Observation Deck overlooking the surrounding mountains. The Nagasaka Gondola, one of the two main gondolas of the ski resort, also runs during the summer months from June to mid-September, so visitors can access the mountain easily and see some spectacular views from the top.
For those looking for a more intense experience, the Shin-etsu Long Trail Hike is a 110-kilometer long trail that follows the ridgeline of the 1,000-meter high Sekida mountains of Northern Nagano and Niigata prefectures. The Shin-etsu trail is usually completed in about 10 days, with travelers stopping in villages and towns along the way. This hike begins in Iiyama, and runs through the mountains north of Nozawa Onsen, making Nozawa an ideal place to stop along the multi-day trek.
Summer Festivals
The local Shinto shrine of Nozawa Onsen, called Yuzawa Jinja, hosts a 2-day summer lantern festival every year on September 8th and 9th. The first evening of the festival features lanterns that light up the main street of the town, along with fireworks, and 3 Shinto dance performances, called the Sarutahiko Dance, the Lion Dance and the Dance of the Sanjuroku-kasen. This festival is a unique opportunity to encounter local Japanese culture, so if you find yourself in Nozawa Onsen in September you won't want to miss it!
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Cycling and mountain biking have been increasingly popular in Japan in recent years, and more foreign visitors are enjoying travelling around Japan by cycling. Nozawa Onsen has some beautiful roads, passing through the surrounding mountains, along rivers and between rice fields, that are perfect for enjoying the cool summer breeze on a bicycle.
Additionally, visitors can rent e-bikes to cycle around the picturesque streets of Nozawa; for example, the local shop Compass Village offers these rentals for ￥2,000 per person.
Morning Market
Nozawa Onsen hosts a morning market from 6:00am to 7:30am every Sunday from May to October, along the main street "Oyu-dori". The vendors range from local farmers selling fresh produce, pickled vegetables, jams and breads, to locals selling handmade accessories and crafts, to sake breweries selling their wares. This local market is a great way to experience a bit of Japanese culture, as well as get your hands of some delicious local foods that you may not find elsewhere!
How to Get to Nozawa Onsen?
Nozawa Onsen is most easily accessible from Iiyama Station, which is connected to the major cities of Japan like Tokyo and Osaka through the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) line. If you take the shinkansen to Iiyama Station, there are buses and taxis that can take you to your final destination in Nozawa.
If you are heading to Nozawa from Tokyo, please see our How to Get to Nozawa Onsen from Tokyo page for detailed directions. Or, if you are coming from another part of Japan, see our ‘How to Get to Nozawa Onsen – Nagano Ski Resort Info’ page.
We also offer private charter services that can pick your group up directly from Nagano Station, or even Tokyo and its airports, and take you directly to Nozawa Onsen. This is a great option if you are traveling with a large group, small children, or large amounts of luggage.
★Please note that our instantly-bookable charter services (like the one above) will be the same price in either direction, so please feel free to book the service either coming or going from Nozawa.
Where to Stay in Nozawa Onsen?
While the hotels and lodgings in Nozawa Onsen are busting throughout the winter season, many of them stay open in the summer as well! Hotels in the area offer high quality Japanese-style rooms, private onsen baths for guests to use, and a relaxed pace due to it being the off season.
For example, Nozawa Grand Hotel is open all year, with lower prices and fewer crowds in the summer!
To see all of your hotel options in Nozawa Onsen, check out our page here: "Where To Stay In Nozawa Onsen?"
Tours and Charters around Nozawa Onsen
Snow Monkey Resorts offers tours in central Japan (and beyond!) year-round, visiting some of the best locations that Japan has to offer, from historic castles and temples to breathtaking mountain trails and national parks, and we would love to have you join us!
Best Selling
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyHakuba
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityHakuba
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakuba
Starting from Nagano Station, this fun and educational tour brings you to the Jigokudani Monkey Park to get up close and personal with the famous hot spring loving snow monkeys, who despite their name actually live in the park year-round! Guests on the tour will also be treated to a tasty Japanese lunch, and visit Nagano City and the historic Zenko-ji temple, one of Japan's oldest and most important Buddhist sites.
Best Selling
1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle
- Spots:
- NaganoMatsumotoKamikochi
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityMatsumoto
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityMatsumoto
Or, join our Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle Tour to learn about Japan's Edo Period by visiting the National Treasure of Matsumoto Castle, and to discover Kamikochi, one of the most pristine and beautiful national parks that the country has to offer.
Small Group
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyTogakushi
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano City
Lastly, if you would like to spend a day in the pristine nature of Nagano, seeing its famous snow monkeys and learning about the 5-shrine complex of Togakushi, you can join our Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Tour! Not only will you visit the monkey park and meet its charming residents, and enjoy a local Japanese style lunch, but you will also learn hear the history of the 1,000-year old Togakushi Shrine, and walk the path to the inner shrine among 400-year-old ancient cedar trees.
We also offer private transportation to and from Nozawa Onsen and the surrounding areas, which is the perfect option if you are travelling onwards to a destination like Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, or Nagoya.
Discover all of your transportation options here: Charters to/from Nozawa Onsen
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is there to do in Nozawa Onsen in summer?
A: Nozawa Onsen has many summer activities to offer, like hiking, cycling, kayaking and canoeing, as well as summer festivals and morning markets to join in!
Q: Is it hot in Nozawa Onsen in summer?
A: Yes, it does get hot in Nozawa in the summer, but temperatures are relatively cooler than the big cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, and it can be chilly at night. The high temperatures can be up to 26〜29℃, with the evening temperature often dropping below 20℃.
Q: Do people go to onsen in summer?
A: Yes, many Japanese people will regularly go to onsen (hot springs) during the summer. Onsen can be enjoyed all year, as they can provide relaxation and health benefits from the minerals in the water, and bathing in the onsen can actually help you feel less hot outside. Additionally, many hot springs also offer cold-water baths to alternate between hot and cold for added health benefits.
Q: When should I visit Nozawa Onsen?
A: Most people visit Nozawa Onsen for winter sports, so if you are looking for a world-class ski resort then the best time to visit is between mid-December and late-March. However, if you are looking for an outdoor destination with mountains, hiking, lakes, hot springs, a laid-back pace and regional charm, then the summer months of May to September are best for you!
Q: How do I get to Nozawa Onsen?
A: You can take public transportation, a combination of Shinkansen (bullet train) and local bus, or private transportation to get to Nozawa Onsen. If you are coming from Tokyo, see our "How to Get to Nozawa Onsen from Tokyo" page!
For public transportation, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) to Iiyama Station, and then the local bus to Nozawa Onsen village. For detailed directions, please see our "How to get to Nozawa Onsen" page here. For private transportation, we offer private charter services that can take your group directly to Nozawa.
We hope to see you here in Nagano this summer season! Please feel free to contact us here if you have any questions.