Overview
Narita is a larger airport than Haneda and is located further away from the center of the city but is well connected to the city via rapid train services.
The transfer time to Hakuba is between 4 and 5.5 hours depending on your choice of transfer.
Train, bus, taxi and self drive are both possible options for transport from Tokyo Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen.
Getting Around Tokyo
Getting around Tokyo by rail is usually the quickest and best-priced option regardless of where you are staying in the city.
Taxis in Japan are usually significantly more expensive than taking the train.
The majority of Tokyo transit system is made up of 2x rail networks - the overground state-run Japan Rail (JR) system and the underground metro system.
Taking them together, these networks are one of the most extensive metropolitan rail networks in the world. There is nothing you would want to see in Tokyo that you can't get to by using the network.
In addition, there are a number of privately owned rail lines that have their own lines and stations. These can be useful to take for certain routes but are never the only transit option and are not covered by the JR Rail Pass.
Looking at the maps, the system can be pretty intimidating at first glance but the system is very well run and the staff at stations are super helpful.
Tokyo JR Rail Map
Tokyo Metro Map
Train from Tokyo Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen
- Price: ¥12,000 per person
- Transfer Time: 4 to 5 hours (depending on waiting time for trains)
Japan has a world-class network of trains that famously run on-time to the second!
Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel from ticket machines or a sales counter.
What is the closest Train Station to Nozawa Onsen?
Technically, the closest Train Station to Nozawa Onsen is Togari-Nozawa-Onsen (12 mins drive) but Iiyama Station (20 mins drive), which is not quite as close, is a Shinkansen (bullet train) Station and so is better connected.
Tokyo to Nozawa Onsen Route
The train route from Tokyo Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen is very fast and relatively direct.
There are two main rail options for getting from Tokyo Narita Airport into Tokyo:
- Skyliner - a Keisei Private Rail Train
- Narita Express (NEX) - part of the JR Rail Network
The Skyliner is the faster option but is not part of the JR Rail Network and so the JR Rail Pass is not valid on this service.
The route from Tokyo Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen differs, depending on whether you prefer to start with the Skyliner or the Narita Express:
Option 1: Skyliner + Shinkansen
The route takes place in three or four stages:
- Stage 1: Keisei Skyliner: Narita Airport Terminal Station -> Nippori Station (37 minutes)
- Stage 2: JR Yamanote Line: Nippori Station -> Ueno Station (4 minutes)
- Stage 3: Shinkansen Hakutaka: Ueno Station -> Iiyama Station (1hr40 minutes)
- Stage 4: JR Iiyama Line: Iiyama Station -> Togari-Nozawa-Onsen Station (11 minutes)
Option 2: Narita Express + Shinkansen
The route takes place in two or three stages:
- Stage 1: Narita Express: Narita Airport Terminal Station -> Tokyo Station (65 minutes)
- Stage 2: Shinkansen Hakutaka: Tokyo Station -> Iiyama Station (1hr45 minutes)
- Stage 3: JR Iiyama Line: Iiyama Station -> Togari-Nozawa-Onsen Station (11 minutes)
Iiyama to Nozawa Onsen
From Iiyama to Nozawa Onsen, you can take the Nozawa Onsen Liner Bus, which drops off at the centrally located Chuo Bus Terminal in Nozawa Onsen or you can book a taxi to meet you off the train.
Alternatively, you can take a local taxi from Iiyama Station to Nozawa Onsen. Please ensure you have your destination written out in Japanese as most taxi drivers in Japan do not speak conversational level English.
Togari-Nozaw-Onsen Station to Nozawa Onsen
If you plan which train you plan to get in advance, most accommodations in Nozawa Onsen will provide a pick up and drop service to / from your accommodation from Togari-Nozawa-Onsen, if you book it with them in advance with a couple of weeks’ notice.
Alternatively, you can take a local taxi.
Japan Rail Pass: For guests visiting Nozawa Onsen as part of a longer itinerary of travel elsewhere in Japan, either side of their ski experience, a Japan Rail Pass can be a fantastic investment, allowing unlimited train travel on most Japan Rail trains, for periods of 7, 14 or 21 days to suit your travel schedule.
- Look up winter season train timetables on JR East
- Search Japan's train schedules using the Japan Transit Planner.
Note: Togari-Nozawa-Onsen train station is listed as “TOGARINOZAWA-ONSEN” in this system
Pros
- Fastest transfer option
- Free Shinkansen option if you hold a JR Rail Pass
Cons
- Two or three changes required
- Not ideal for passengers with ski / snowboard bags
Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen Taxi
- Price: ¥17,500 to ¥71,000 per person - depending on the number of passengers
- Transfer Time: 4.5 to 5.5 hours - depending on traffic & driving conditions
Private Jumbo 7-Seater Taxi Transfers are the most convenient and fastest option for transfer from Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen.
On arrival at the airport, the driver will meet you in the arrival lobby, carry your bags to the vehicle and drop you off at your check in location in Nozawa Onsen.
On departure, the driver will collect you from your accommodation and drop you off at the correct location for check-in for your flight. This means minimal pushing of trollies stacked with ski bags!
Private taxi vehicle transfers must be booked in advance.
Tip
- You can book a stop-off at a supermarket to buy groceries for an additional charge. If you are staying in self-catering accommodation in Nozawa Onsen and plan to cook some of your own meals, this can be really useful
Pros
- Available 24 hours a day
- Most convenient
- Faster than bus services
Cons
- More expensive than other options
Bus from Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen
- Price: ¥10,900 to ¥11,900 per person
- Transfer Time: 5.5 to 6 hours
Nagano Snow Shuttle operates a ski bus service with multiple daily departures from Tokyo Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen.
The afternoon and evening departures from Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen include a drop-off service at your accommodation.
The morning departure from Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen drops off at the centrally located Chuo Bus Terminal in Nozawa Onsen.
For departure from Nozawa Onsen to Narita Airport, there is no pick-up service from your accommodation provided but the bus does pick up from the Chuo Bus Terminal.
Reservation in advance for seats on all of these services is required.
Pros
- Well priced
- Drop off at accommodation is provided for some departures
- Some transfers are direct with no change of vehicle required
Cons
- Slower than the train option
- Departures are not a door-to-door service
- Some transfers require a change of vehicle at Nagano
Driving from Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen
- Price: Varies by vehicle type and hire duration
- Transfer Time: 4.5 to 5.5 hours
Tokyo Narita Airport has lots of car hire options for those wanting to drive themselves from Tokyo Narita Airport to Nozawa Onsen.
The route is long but relatively straightforward with road signs in English and an excellent road network.
Driving in January and February in the Nagano region can be a little tricky for those without experience of driving in challenging winter conditions. Snow & ice covered roads are possible and visibility can be poor when snow is falling.
If you are comfortable driving in these conditions, hiring a car and driving yourself to Nozawa Onsen opens up the possibility of visiting Nozawa Onsen as part of a larger itinerary vising multiple ski resorts or doing day trips from Nozawa Onsen.
Nozawa Onsen is an old village with narrow windy streets, so we do not recommend driving around Nozawa Onsen village during your stay. Parking at your accommodation in Nozawa Onsen can be a little tricky. Some hotels & apartment buildings may have one or two parking spaces but you will most likely have to pay. There are free car parking options on the outskirts of the village.
Hire vehicles are four-wheel drive, come with winter tyres fitted (so no snow chains required) and English language GPS can be booked.
All drivers must bring their own national driver's license and a valid International Drivers Permit to legally drive in Japan. Car hire companies will not hand over the keys without these documents.
Pros
- Flexibility to do day trips or visit multiple ski resorts
Cons
- Can be challenging driving conditions in the Nagano region – snowy / icy roads & poor visibility are possible
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Nozawa Transfers
Whether you are coming from Tokyo or one of the other Ski Resorts in the Nagano area, there are numerous options for the transfer to Nozawa.
Book now through our Pre-Trip Concierge Service
Available for guests that have booked accommodation with us.
Nozawa Accommodation
Nozawa has a fantastic mix of hotels and traditional Japanese Ryokans to cater for travellers of all budgets.
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.