Nozawa Grand Hotel

We’ve stayed here in January 2024 and January 2026, and the staff have always been courteous and gone out of their way to make things comfortable. On the latest visit, we asked for four extra futons because the bed felt a bit too hard. The gentleman at the reception desk that night brought them to our room one at a time. Breakfast and dinner were delicious both times. The facility is a little old and worn, but that didn’t bother us. We’re looking forward to coming back.

We spent four nights here with a toddler in a Japanese room and had an outstanding stay. We chose it for the positive reviews and because we wouldn’t have to share a bathroom. Half board was included, and both breakfast and dinner were excellent. The views of the mountains we were skiing down were beautiful.

The hotel sits higher up, so you get panoramic views of Nozawa Onsen, and its central location makes it easy to reach food around town. Getting there from the bus terminal means walking uphill with luggage or snowboard bags. You can take a taxi, or, when it’s running, a bus to the stop outside. In winter, the slope can be icy and slippery in both directions. There’s a Japanese restaurant just outside with unagi-don and teriyaki don, plus a few izakayas, cafes, and a pizza restaurant nearby. The hotel’s own dinner is a decent classic Japanese multi-course meal with sashimi, rice, appetizers, and more. Breakfast is buffet style. The indoor baths are large and have shower booths. There are outdoor baths too, with great town views, though they have no showers and the changing area isn’t heated. Both Japanese and western rooms are huge, and having private toilets and bathrooms is a luxury in Nozawa Onsen. For skiing, Yu Road, the travellator connecting town to the base of the Hikage zone, is closer than the Nagasaka Zone. Early in the season, getting to Nagasaka can mean a bit of a walk. There’s a basic changing and locker area, a small souvenir shop, and the hotel can receive and send luggage, which is useful if you bring ski or snowboard gear.

The private onsen was the best part of our three-night stay at Nozawa Grand Hotel, a perfect way to relax after a day out. Our room was roomy and comfortable, with lovely views, and the staff were warm and attentive. We had an amazing time there in Nozawa Onsen.