Category: Ski & Snow

Lift Passes, Rentals and Ski School in Nagano: What to Book First | School → Rental → Lift Pass; the Pass Can Wait

This article draws on official resort and school information as of November 1, 2026, and public booking pages checked on the dates noted. Prices and periods come from 2026-27 season information and may change. Check the official booking screens when you reserve.

Your accommodation is booked. You know how to get from the airport to the village. What remains is the lift pass, skis and clothing, and lessons.

It can feel as if everything needs booking “early”, all at once. But some things come first and others can wait.

The answer first — Book in this order

Accommodation and transport (move on if these are already arranged)
Ski school — Instructor numbers are limited, as are the schools offering lessons in your language
Rental — Book with your sizes. Gloves and goggles are often not included
Lift pass — Last. Many places do not allow cancellations after purchase, so wait until you know your ski day

If you have not chosen a destination yet, start with “Which Nagano ski resort?”.

1. Ski school — Book this first

In Hakuba, choose from the official list of accredited schools

Hakuba Valley’s official website lists schools accredited by the resorts. With the resorts’ rules in mind, it recommends learning at a school on that list.

For each school, the list gives the languages taught. Some schools list English and some Chinese. Look under a resort near the village where you are staying for a school teaching in your language.

The type of lesson can differ by language even at the same school. At a school in Happo-One, for example, English, Chinese and French are available only as private lessons. Group lessons are in Japanese only, and there is no group snowboard lesson. If you want a group lesson, check before booking whether one is offered in your language.

Nozawa Onsen has a division for visitors from overseas

Nozawa Onsen Ski School has an international division run by Canyons.

Group lessons run from December 21 to March 21. Only private lessons are offered at other times
Group bookings have been accepted since September 1. The school advises booking ahead for the busy December-to-February period. Private lessons are limited by instructor numbers, so book early
An adult group lesson (age 15 or older) costs ¥16,500 for one day (4½ hours)
The official information does not list the languages taught. If you want a language other than English, ask before booking

In Shiga Kogen, arrange children’s lessons and childcare early

Shiga Kogen’s official website says the Okushiga kids’ school (ages 4–12, for children out of diapers) accepts both advance bookings and registration on the day. Childcare at Takamagahara T-Kids (from three months old to before elementary school) is by reservation only, generally booked at least a week ahead.

If you are traveling with children, put childcare and kids’ school bookings near the start of your trip preparations.

One more thing to check when booking

Whether lesson fees include a lift pass or rental differs by school. When booking, also check the meeting place and time and whether you need a lift pass to reach it. Book only what is not included afterward.

If you want lessons in Chinese

Several schools on Hakuba Valley’s accredited list teach in Chinese. For example, its Hakuba Goryu entries include Hakuba Snow Sports School and Toomi Snow School, while Cross Shred Snow Sports appears under Iwatake with Chinese listed (checked November 1, 2026). Check each school’s information for group lessons and minimum ages.

Before booking a lesson found on a booking site, check Hakuba Valley’s list to see whether the school appears under the resort where you will ski.

2. Rental — After school

What you can and cannot rent

The official Nozawa Onsen rental and the Hakuba package information show two main items to rent:

Skis (or a snowboard) and boots. Ski packages also include poles
Outerwear, top and bottom (jacket and pants)

Helmets depend on the shop. Nozawa Onsen’s official rental on the 3rd floor of Nagasaka Center House includes a helmet in its full set.

And gloves, goggles, hats and socks are often not included in rentals. The Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 lift-pass-and-rental package also says to bring your own. You may be able to rent or buy them at a shop, but quantities are limited, so bringing them is the sure option.

Enter your sizes when booking

You can book Nozawa Onsen’s official rental online. Enter each user’s name and sizes, show the QR code on the confirmation screen at reception, and pay there. Fittings for skis and boots run until 4:30 p.m. each day.

The Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 package information says especially large and small sizes are limited. If you are tall, have large feet or travel with a young child, reserve rental early.

You may queue for rental on the day. For a lesson day, first check the meeting place and time in your booking, allow time to walk there from the rental shop, and arrive early. The shop and meeting place may be in different buildings (see the Nozawa Onsen example below).

Skiing at Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47? A pass-and-rental package is an option

Booking site KKday has a package with a one-day Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 lift pass and rental skis, boots, jacket and pants (checked October 22, 2026). The conditions below were displayed then. Check the booking screen for current availability, your intended date, price and cancellation terms.

Bookings made before December 10, 2026 were shown as ¥2,000 off
Cancellation was free up to 11 days before the date of use
Children under six cannot use it. Under-15s must be with an adult aged 18 or older
Gloves, goggles, hats and socks are not included
On the day, first show your phone screen at the rental shop and collect your equipment; then exchange your booking for the physical lift ticket at the ticket counter

Tsugaike Kogen also suits first-time skiers in Hakuba (see “Which resort?”). This package is for a day skiing at Goryu and 47.

3. Lift pass — Last is fine

Leave the pass until last because many purchases cannot be cancelled. Hakuba Valley and Nozawa Onsen both say their passes cannot be cancelled or refunded after purchase. Buy once your day and resort are decided.

	How to buy	Adult one-day price (2026-27)	How to collect
Hakuba Valley shared pass (ten resorts; free shuttle on ski days)	On sale in the official online shop (checked November 1, 2026). Register an account and pay by credit card (check accepted card types on the purchase screen)	¥11,100	Take the email QR code and collection number to a counter or SKIOSK ticket machine
Hakuba Goryu and 47 only	Online or at a counter	Online ¥9,500 / counter ¥10,000 (both include a ¥500 IC-card deposit)	For an online ticket, use the QR code at the automatic machine. The deposit is returned when you return the card
Nozawa Onsen	Counter (cash, cards, some prepaid cards); online booking is in Japanese only	Counter ¥7,800 (regular ticket, December 19 to March 28)	For an online purchase, take the QR code to the ticket center
Shiga Kogen (shared pass for 18 resorts)	Online or at a counter	Online ¥8,500 / counter ¥9,500	Take the QR code to a SKIOSK machine or counter. No deposit is needed

The Hakuba Valley shared pass does not cover night skiing or night shuttles
Nozawa Onsen’s online screen is only in Japanese. If you cannot read it, there is no need to force an online purchase; you can buy at the ticket center counter on the day
Hakuba Goryu and 47 list cards, PayPay and WeChat Pay among payment methods at the counter
You cannot exchange a Hakuba Valley booking for a pass without the QR code and collection number. Keep the email ready on your phone
In early December or late March, the number of open resorts or lifts may be limited. Strong winds or heavy snow can also stop lifts during the season. Check the resort’s official operating and lift information before buying and again on the morning you ski. Check whether your school will hold lessons that day too

There is one exception. Hakuba Goryu and 47 say their pre-season pass sales offer up to 25% off through December 15. If you have decided to ski there, watch that deadline in advance (and check cancellation terms on the purchase screen).

If you have an Epic Pass, you can receive one free five-day ticket at Hakuba Valley for 2026-27 (five consecutive days from first use; no night skiing). Show your Epic Pass at a designated counter at a Hakuba Valley resort. The official page is inconsistent about which Epic Pass types qualify, so check before you go.

What to bring

Gloves, goggles, hat and socks (often not included in rentals)
Credit card (if buying the Hakuba Valley shared pass online)
On your phone: the lift-pass QR code and collection number, and your rental and school booking screens
Coins (lockers take coins, and some have a ¥100 deposit; see “Your first day” below)
Before leaving, check your travel insurance terms to see whether ski injuries are covered

Your first day — From arrival to your first run

The tiring part of a first morning is not knowing where anything is. At the foot of a resort, a large “center house” often gathers tickets, rental, lockers and food in one building. Here are two examples of the sequence. You will walk on snow between buildings, so wear slip-resistant shoes and leave time to spare.

Example: Hakuba Goryu (Escal Plaza)

Information is right beside the 1st-floor (ground-floor) entrance. Start here if you are unsure
Lockers and changing. Next to the locker room is a changing room with sinks, mirrors and hair dryers. Lockers have a ¥100 deposit and can be used only on the day you pay. After inserting coins, you can open and close one as often as needed during that day’s business hours. Press the “Finish” button when done to get your ¥100 back
Rental. If you booked the KKday package above, pick up equipment at your assigned shop, such as Cherry Rental Goryu, about a one-minute walk from Escal Plaza. Show your phone screen at that shop first
Lift pass. Put the QR code for an online purchase into the automatic ticket machine. For anything you cannot complete online, go to the ticket center on the 2nd floor
Lunch. The building has ramen, a cafe and Subway, among other places
Onsen after skiing. Himekawa Onsen is inside Escal Plaza (check its official hours and prices)

※The locker instructions and hours are an example from the previous season (2025-26); information for this season had not been released as of November 1, 2026. Check the notice in the locker room on the day.

Example: Nozawa Onsen (Nagasaka Center House)

Equipment pickup and shipping counter on the 1st floor (ground floor). If you send skis or a snowboard, you can collect or ship them here
Lockers and changing on the 2nd floor. There are 380 lockers, from small to large
Lift passes and rental on the 3rd floor. The ticket center has up to seven counters and ticket machines. The official rental shop (Salomon Station) and a cafe are on the same floor
If you are taking lessons, registration is at Nozawa Onsen Ski School by the Hikage Gondola, not at Nagasaka, and is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allow time to get there after renting at Nagasaka. Check your booking for the meeting place and time in advance

Then head to the village’s sotoyu baths in the evening. Walking between them is part of Nozawa Onsen’s appeal (see the sotoyu section of “Which resort?”). For how to use them, see “Onsen Etiquette: The Large Bath and Hot Springs”.

If You Are Unsure, Decide This Way

School first. In Hakuba, use the accredited-school list to find lessons in your language. Nozawa Onsen group lessons start December 21. With children, start with childcare and kids’ school.

Rental next. Book with your sizes. Bring gloves, goggles, a hat and socks.

Lift pass last. Wait until your ski day is set. At Nozawa Onsen, use the counter if you cannot read the Japanese online screen. Buy the Hakuba Valley shared pass online with a credit card.

Official sources we checked (16)

2026-09-28

Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen or Shiga Kogen? Choosing a Nagano Ski Resort | For a First Trip Without a Car, Go to Nozawa Onsen; Hakuba Is Next (Start at Tsugaike)

This article draws on official information from ski resorts, tourism associations and bus operators as of November 1, 2026. Prices and dates are from the 2026-27 season’s information and may change.

You are almost set on skiing in Nagano, but three names keep coming up: Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen. All are well known. All sound good.

This article helps you choose one of the three.

The Short Answer — First time, no car, and want an onsen? Nozawa Onsen

If we had to choose, we would pick Nozawa Onsen.

The base slopes are a short walk from many places to stay. A moving walkway takes you from the village up to the Hikage slopes, where there is a ski school and a kids’ park
After skiing, you can walk between the village’s sotoyu (public baths). There is no charge to enter
There is a ski school division for visitors from overseas. It has an official page in English and instructors from around the world

If you want to ski for many days and try different resorts, Hakuba is another strong option (see “Next choice” below).

The three, side by side

	Nozawa Onsen	Hakuba (Hakuba Valley)	Shiga Kogen
What it is like	A ski resort just above an onsen village	Ten ski resorts connected by one shared pass and shuttle buses	Eighteen ski resorts connected by one shared lift pass
For first-timers	Ski school and kids’ park at Hikage; Uenotaira is “gentle and wide” (official description)	Half (50%) of Tsugaike Kogen’s runs are for beginners (official figure)	We could not verify a beginner-run percentage from official information
With children	Kids’ park, childcare and rental at Hikage	Varies by resort	Kids’ parks, kids’ schools and childcare are at separate resorts within the area (check this season’s dates with the official sources)
From Tokyo without a car	About 1 hour 45 minutes by Shinkansen to Iiyama Station, then about 25 minutes by bus	Shinkansen and express bus: as little as 2 hours 50 minutes	About 90 minutes by Shinkansen to Nagano Station, then about 80 minutes by bus (2026-27 winter timetable)
Getting around after arrival	Walk from many places to stay to the base slopes	Shuttle buses are free on days you have the shared pass (night services are separate; this season’s routes and times have yet to be announced)	Free shuttles within the area (information from winter 2025-26)
Onsen	Sotoyu baths you can walk between in the village	There are onsen (for example, Obinata no Yu)	We could not verify this from official information; check with your accommodation
English	Official English website; international ski school division	Official English website	Bus information in English
2026-27 operation	November 28 to May 5	Announced by each resort (Happo-One and Tsugaike Kogen: from December 1, planned; many others had not announced dates as of November 1)	December 5 to May 5
Adult day pass	¥7,800 (regular ticket for December 19 to March 28)	Shared pass ¥11,100 (official website; a 2026-27 purchase page exists)	¥9,500 (regular ticket at the counter)

Driving changes the comparison. For winter roads, see “Driving in Japan in Winter, Hokkaido Included”. This article is for travelers who will not drive.

Here Is the Reasoning

Walk from your accommodation to the base slopes

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort’s official guide describes the base slopes as a short walk from most accommodation and close to rental shops. It also says beginners can enjoy them.

The distance to the slopes does depend on where you stay. You may arrive with luggage, and paths may be icy. Before booking, look at the route to the nearest slope or bus stop on a map and ask your accommodation whether it offers a winter transfer.

You can reach the Hikage slopes farther up the mountain by moving walkway from the village. Hikage has a kids’ park and a school with lessons every day. A ticket center, toilets, childcare, a restaurant and a rental shop are there too.

The Uenotaira and Paradise slopes slightly higher up are “gentle and wide”, in the resort’s words. It says the snow is better there because temperatures are lower than at the base.

The kids’ park runs daily from mid-December to the end of March, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., depending on snow. It is a place for young children starting skiing or snowboarding.

After skiing, walk between the sotoyu baths

Nozawa Onsen is an onsen village. It has several sotoyu (public baths) within walking distance of one another.

There is no charge to enter. Donations to help maintain the baths are welcome
In winter (December to March), they open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Two baths, Shiden-no-Yu and Taki-no-Yu, close at 9 p.m.
Local households look after these baths. Sit down and wash your body before entering the water. Do not wear a swimsuit

Take off your ski boots, leave your things at your accommodation and head to the next bath with a towel. Here, being without a car is no obstacle at all. Walking between baths is part of enjoying this village.

For how to use the baths, see “Onsen Etiquette: The Large Bath and Hot Springs”.

A school for visitors from overseas

A company called Canyons runs the international division of Nozawa Onsen Ski School. The official guide describes a team of professional instructors from around the world.

Group lessons run from December 21 to March 21 (only private lessons are available outside that period). Group bookings open September 1.

The official guide does not list the languages available for lessons. If you want a lesson in Chinese, ask the school before booking.

From Tokyo by Shinkansen and one bus

From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen runs directly to Iiyama Station in about 1 hour 45 minutes. From there, the direct Nozawa Onsen Liner bus takes about 25 minutes.

The Nozawa Onsen Tourism Association warns that “there are times when the Shinkansen and direct bus do not connect.” Also, as of November 1, 2026, the published bus timetable only ran through November 30; winter services had not yet been announced. When the winter timetable comes out, check the train and bus times together, including the last service.

A long ski season

The 2026-27 season runs from November 28 to May 5. An adult day pass is ¥7,800 (¥4,700 for under-15s; these are regular ticket prices for December 19 to March 28).

The Second-Best Option — Hakuba, if you want many ski days at different resorts

Hakuba suits you if you:

Plan to stay about a week and ski somewhere different each day
Have both experienced and first-time skiers on the same trip
Want to choose based on the number of resorts

Hakuba Valley brings together ten ski resorts. On ski days, holders of the shared pass (Hakuba Valley All-Mountain Day Pass) can ride the shuttle buses between resorts for free (according to the 2026-27 pass information). Night services are excluded. This season’s routes and times had not yet been announced as of November 1; only the winter 2025-26 information was available. When the new schedule appears, check for a bus between your accommodation and the resorts you want to visit.

For your first time, start at Tsugaike Kogen. Hakuba Valley’s official list says 50% of its runs are for beginners, compared with 30% at Happo-One and Hakuba Iwatake and 35% at Hakuba Goryu.

From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen and an express bus take as little as 2 hours 50 minutes.

Before deciding, check three things.

The shared pass is sold through Hakuba Valley’s official web shop. A 2026-27 purchase page was available on November 1, 2026. Check there whether you can choose and buy for your intended day. You need to register an account. Purchases cannot be cancelled or refunded
Without a shared pass, the regular V-route shuttle cost ¥800 for adults under the winter 2025-26 information. Tickets were sold online only; cash was not accepted. Night services had separate fares and payment methods and were not free even for shared-pass holders. This season’s information has not been released, so check each route with the official source
For 2026-27, Happo-One and Tsugaike Kogen are scheduled to open from December 1 (planned). As of November 1, resorts including Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 had not yet announced dates. For an early trip, check each resort’s official information

Hakuba also has onsen. Obinata no Yu, for example, is about 3 km from the center of Happo-One (according to the Japan Tourism Agency’s multilingual guide). But if you want to walk from your accommodation between village baths, that is Nozawa Onsen’s way of doing things.

Another option — Shiga Kogen, for many ski days across many resorts on one pass

One shared lift pass covers 45 lifts and gondolas across all 18 resorts. You can ski different slopes each day
Children’s facilities are spread across separate resorts in the area. The official children’s page lists kids’ parks and schools at Maruike, Yakebitaiyama and Okushiga Kogen, plus childcare at Takamagahara. Childcare requires advance booking. Some parts of the page still show last winter’s dates, so check this season’s dates, ages and booking rules with the official sources
The season runs December 5 to May 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (depending on weather and location). An adult day pass costs ¥9,500 at the counter. During the early-ski period (December 5 to 18) and spring-ski period (from April 1), consecutive-day passes work out to ¥7,500 per day for adults, among other lower-priced seasonal tickets
Free shuttles ran within the area from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in winter 2025-26. Information for 2026-27 is expected around November

From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen takes about 90 minutes to Nagano Station. From its east exit, a Nagaden Bus express service takes about 80 minutes (for example, 9:10 a.m. departure → 10:28 a.m. arrival) to Yama-no-Eki in central Shiga Kogen. The 2026-27 winter timetable covers December 5 to April 5, and the adult fare is ¥3,000. The warning that buying a ticket does not guarantee a seat comes from winter 2025-26 information.

In our research, we could not verify an officially listed onsen for day visits high in Shiga Kogen. If an onsen matters to you, check whether your accommodation has one before choosing.

Want to see snow monkeys too? A direct winter bus runs from Nagano Station

In winter, an express bus on the Snow Monkey Park Line runs from stop 24 at Nagano Station’s east exit to Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, where you can see snow monkeys in an onsen. It takes about 50 minutes (December 5 to April 5). This winter, buses bound for Shiga Kogen do not stop at Snow Monkey Park.

The bus has a fixed capacity; if it is full, you must take the next one. The sure way to get tickets is to buy the combined bus and admission ticket online in advance. Same-day tickets are also sold at the information office by Nagano Station’s east exit, but sales may stop once a set quantity is reached. You cannot pay on the bus. It is about a 35-minute walk from the bus stop. The path has unpaved sections, steps and slopes, and wheelchairs and carts (including strollers) cannot get through. In winter, wear shoes that are easy to walk in and resist slipping.

Want a day trip from Tokyo to try the snow?

All three Nagano destinations require a bus ride after the train. If you want to start somewhere you can walk to from a Shinkansen station, Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is another option. It is about a ten-minute walk from Shinkansen Karuizawa Station. Eight of its 14 runs are for beginners, and it has been operating since October 31, 2026. Which runs are open varies by day, so check the resort’s official slope information.

Match the choice to your trip

See which of these sounds like your trip.

It is my first ski trip, and I want an onsen too (→ Nozawa Onsen)
I am traveling with a young child and want children’s facilities and childcare together (→ Hikage at Nozawa Onsen)
I want lessons in English (→ Nozawa Onsen describes its international division on an official English page; check each school in Hakuba and Shiga Kogen)
I want lessons in Chinese (→ Hakuba’s official list of “accredited schools” lets you look for a school teaching in your language; some list Chinese. We could not verify this from official information for Nozawa Onsen or Shiga Kogen. Ask the school before booking)
I will ski for five days or more and want a different resort each day (→ Hakuba; start your first day at Tsugaike)
Experienced and first-time skiers are traveling together (→ Hakuba)
I have many ski days and want to cover many resorts with one pass (→ Shiga Kogen)
I also want to see snow monkeys in an onsen (→ A direct winter bus runs from Nagano Station)
I am going in November (→ Of these three, Nozawa Onsen opens in November, from November 28. Just after opening, some runs or facilities may be limited, so check that day’s official information. The international division’s group lessons at Nozawa start December 21, however, and its kids’ park opens in mid-December. For group lessons, go from December 21 onward. Happo-One and Tsugaike Kogen in Hakuba are scheduled from December 1 (planned); wait for each other resort’s announcement. Shiga Kogen opens December 5)
I will drive myself (→ Use a different comparison; start with “Driving in Japan in Winter, Hokkaido Included”)

For your first ski trip, whichever place you choose, you will need equipment rental and lessons as well as a lift pass. Check prices and booking with the official resort and school sources. Bring a water-resistant jacket and pants, and gloves.

If You Are Unsure, Decide This Way

First time, no car → Nozawa Onsen. Walk from your accommodation to the base slopes and visit the sotoyu baths in the evening.

Many ski days, different resorts → Hakuba. Take the shuttle with a shared pass and start at Tsugaike on your first day.

Many ski days and many resorts on one pass → Shiga Kogen.

Official sources we checked (25)

2026-09-28