Located in the Nagano Prefecture, Nozawa Onsen is a popular spot known for its snow-covered landscape and relaxing onsen culture. Many visit to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, but a trip to the thriving onsen town is a must to experience wellness and relaxation.
One of the best traits of Nozawa Onsen is the highly praised preservation of the onsen done by the local organization. A group called Nozawa-gumi has been keeping the 13 public onsen and the surrounding nature clean and well. Thus, this onsen town is well-maintained, and the locals welcome visitors with hospitality.
In this article, we’ll guide you through ryokans and hotels with private onsen in Nozawa Onsen for those seeking to experience the onsen privately.
Let’s get started!
Have you booked your SIM card or pocket WiFi for your trip to Japan yet?
In Japan, you’ll want to be connected without missing out on high-speed data and internet!
By reserving online before departing, you can
- Lower your rental fees
- Avoid stock shortages at the airport
To learn more about data and WiFi options for your trip, check out our products below.
Hello readers! Sakura Mobile is a SIM WiFi service provider for international residents and tourists in Japan.
Our global editorial team living in Japan will introduce the charms of the country based on what we have actually experienced and felt.
Table of Contents
Types of Private Onsen
Google Map of Nozawa Onsen(Nagano Prefecture)
5 Best Ryokans and Hotels with Private Onsen in Nozawa Onsen
- Ryokan SAKAYA（旅館さかや）
- Nozawa Onsen Hotel（野沢温泉ホテル）
- Nozawa Grand Hotel（野沢グランドホテル）
- Residence Yasushi（レジデンス寧）
- Ryokan Kawaichiya（河一屋旅館）
Types of Private Onsen
Before getting into the details of each ryokan, let’s go over the types of private onsen that you can find.
There are two types in particular.
-
- Rentable baths: Called “Kashikiri Buro” in Japanese, these are indoor and/or outdoor private baths available for guests to rent out for a specific amount of time.
- Rooms with private baths: Indoor baths or outdoor baths attached to your hotel suite.
The following is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each private onsen type.
Rentable baths
- Pros: Rentable baths are cost-effective. In many cases, if you are a guest at the lodge, you can use the bath without paying any additional fees.
- Cons: You will have to reserve the bath ahead of time. Most ryokan also usually have a time limit, so you can only enter the bath for around one hour at a time.
Rooms with private baths
- Pros: The bath is attached to your room, so you can use it anytime for as long as you like.
- Cons: Rooms with private outdoor baths run a lot higher in price than your average hotel room.
If you are looking to travel on a budget but still want to experience a private onsen, we recommend you look for a ryokan with a rentable bath available. On the other hand, you should consider getting a room with a private onsen if you want a luxury ryokan experience.
Google Map of Nozawa Onsen(Nagano Prefecture)
5 Best Ryokans and Hotels with Private Onsen in Nozawa Onsen
1.Ryokan SAKAYA（旅館さかや）
This ryokan has excellent access, only a 3-minute walk from the Nozawa Onsen Bus Stop. Not to mention, they offer satisfying services with great onsen and cuisine.
The onsen below is kashikiri buro, so you can enjoy a relaxing private time. Reservations are necessary, so make sure to stop by the front desk! The waters of Nozawa Onsen are said to have youth-restoring effects, so we recommend trying it!
They also provide rooms suited for a wide range of people. The standard room is nice and cozy for staying with your friends/partner, and the separate house is great for large groups of people. All the rooms have an at-home atmosphere to have a relaxing time!
Besides kashikiri buro, the ryokan offers various types of onsen with a fantastic view. The outdoor onsen below is perfect for soaking yourself in the calming surrounding nature. They even provide an outdoor spa you can enjoy during your stay!
Information
- Price: Starting from 14,000 JPY per person for two people. (Non-staying day plan is around 19,000 per person for two.)
- Address: 9329 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai, Nagano 389-2502 (Google Map)
- Tattoo Friendly: No mention
- Visit Official Site: https://www.ryokan-sakaya.co.jp/en.html (EN)
↑ Go back to the table of contents
2.Nozawa Onsen Hotel（野沢温泉ホテル）
We suggest this hotel as they take pride in the superb onsen they offer. Moreover, this hotel is recommended for those who want to enjoy skiing/snowboarding during your trip. You can access the gondola lift station of Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort on foot within 7 min.
One of the onsen plans they provide is the kashikiri buro for family/friends. The first eight groups can rent the onsen for 45 min per use. It requires no fee, so ask the front desk if you want to rent the kashikiri buro during your stay!
Another selling point of this hotel is the rooms with a private onsen. You can choose from two room plans, one with a ceramic onsen and another with a hinoki (Japanese cypress) onsen. Perfect for those who want to experience the luxury of having onsen in your room.
Although not kashikiri buro, the outdoor onsen below is definitely worth trying! You can feel the beauty of Nozawa’s nature, and the surrounding greenery is an excellent match for enjoying the onsen. They also have half-open-air hinoki onsen with lights that illuminate at night!
Information
- Price: Starting from 10,000 JPY per person for two people. (Non-staying day plan is around 12,000 per person for two.)
- Address: 7923-3 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai, Nagano 389-2502 (Google Map)
- Tattoo Friendly: Allowed if the tatoo is small. (We suggest inquiring the hotel if you want to make sure)
- Visit Official Site: http://nozawaonsen-h.jp/ (JP)
↑ Go back to the table of contents
3.Nozawa Grand Hotel（野沢グランドホテル）
This hotel is perfect for those looking to soak in the scenic view of Nozawa. The hotel is in the mountains, so the green surroundings give a peaceful, refreshing feel. You can access the hotel with the Nozawa Onsen Liner Bus or the local bus from Iiyama Station.
One of the great features of this hotel is the magnificent kashikiri buro onsen. The vivid green that surrounds you is an incredible sight to see! You can rent it out for 2000 yen for up to 50 min per use. *Note this kashikiri onsen may be closed from December to April, depending on the weather.
You can also enjoy the scenic onsen from your own room, as the hotel offers two room plans with a private onsen. Enjoy the onsen and the view any time you want!
We also recommend the open-air onsen that overlooks Nozawa Onsen. Though it is for all guests to use, the hotel’s location lets you see the vast and beautiful view of the city.
Information
- Price: Starting from 10,000 JPY per person for two people.
- Address: 8888 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai, Nagano 389-2502 (Google Map)
- Tattoo Friendly: No mention
- Visit Official Site: http://www.nozawagrand.com/english/index.html (EN)
↑ Go back to the table of contents
4.Residence Yasushi（レジデンス寧）
This accommodation is located in the quiet, calming neighborhood of Nozawa. Surrounded by the tranquil forest, the inn depicts the “Yasushi (Yasuragi)” concept, which translates to peacefulness and serenity. You can access the inn from Iiyama Station by riding the Nozawa Liner bus for about 25 min.
The onsen in this inn are rich in minerals and beneficial for your health and skin. You can also rent them out for private use, so ask the front desk if you’re interested!
The rooms combine the aesthetic Western style and the traditional relaxing Japanese style. They offer various types of rooms to best fit your liking and the number of people you’re traveling with. There is even a separate lodge and a house for groups of friends/family, which is recommended if you want to stay close and spend quality time together!
Note that they may require a minimum stay of three nights during peak periods of the winter season. Contact Resident Yasushi if your preferred dates are unavailable.
Information
- Price: Starting from 23,000 JPY per person for two people(45,000 JPY per person for one).
- Address: 8853-1 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai, Nagano 389-2502 (Google Map)
- Tattoo Friendly: No mention
- Visit Official Site: https://www.residenceyasushi.com/index.html (EN)
↑ Go back to the table of contents
5.Ryokan Kawaichiya（河一屋旅館）
Kawaichiya is a traditional Japanese-styled ryokan with a refined but at-home atmosphere. It has high-quality service overall, from delicious food to pleasant onsen. You can access the ryokan by taking the Nozawa Onsen Liner Bus from Iiyama Station.
This ryokan offers a room plan with a private onsen. The ceramic-made onsen fits perfectly with the cozy, sophisticated atmosphere.
The onsen below isn’t available for private use. Still, its onsen source has one of the best minerals in Nozawa Onsen. It is said that the waters have beneficial effects for treating diseases. The ryokan offers another indoor onsen that uses the onsen source, Ogama, a symbolic tourist spot in Nozawa Onsen.
Another appealing feature of this ryokan is the cuisine. The dishes are cooked with food from/near Nozawa Onsen. You can enjoy famous local food such as kuroge wagyu (Japanese beef) and nozawana (a Japanese leaf vegetable).
Information
- Price: Starting from 13,000 JPY per person for two people(17,000 JPY per person for one).
- Address: 8923-1 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai, Nagano 389-2502 (Google Map)
- Tattoo Friendly: No mention
- Visit Official Site: https://kawaichiya.jp/en/ (EN)
↑ Go back to the table of contents
Conclusion
In this article, we introduced five ryokans and hotels where you can enjoy private onsen.
Many people visit Nozawa in the cold season to enjoy winter sports, so onsen are great for warming up your body afterward. Not to mention, the snow-covered landscapes create a pleasing, harmonious onsen experience.
Nozawa Onsen’s charms aren’t limited to winter, as each season has mesmerizing qualities such as cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. The warm hospitality of the locals is another contribution to the overall enchantment.
We hope this article helps you plan your best trip to Nozawa Onsen. Have a safe travel!
Have you booked your SIM card or pocket WiFi for your trip to Japan yet?
In Japan, you’ll want to be connected without missing out on high-speed data and internet!
By reserving online before departing, you can
- Lower your rental fees
- Avoid stock shortages at the airport
To learn more about data and WiFi options for your trip, check out our products below.
CUSTOMER’S VOICE
↑ Go back to the table of contents
