Skip to content 
Ski Guides · Japan · Updated October 2026 · 9 min read
The Nozawa Onsen lift pass is one of the best-value tickets in world skiing. An adult day pass costs less than many resorts charge for a few hours. For that, you get over a kilometre of vertical and some of the deepest snow in Japan.
Still, the price you pay depends on when you go and where you buy. Ticket counters, village lodges and agents all sell different passes. The season also splits into three pricing blocks, and the gap between them is real.
This guide lays out every Nozawa Onsen lift pass price for 2026/27, taken from the resort’s official rates. It explains which pass suits which trip, and where to get the best deal.
Read Next
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort Guide 2026/27
Tokyo to Nozawa Onsen: Getting There
2026/27 Season Dates and Pricing Periods
The resort is scheduled to open on 28 November 2026 and close on 5 May 2027, snow permitting. Lift prices change across three periods.
| Period | Dates | Adult 1-day pass |
|---|---|---|
| Early season | 28 Nov to 18 Dec 2026 | ¥5,600 |
| Regular season | 19 Dec 2026 to 28 Mar 2027 | ¥7,800 |
| Spring season | 29 Mar to 5 May 2027 | ¥6,100 |
An adult day is up to ¥2,200 cheaper outside the regular block. Early season can be thin on snow, though. Spring brings sunny days and soft snow up high.
Nozawa Onsen Lift Pass Prices: Regular Season
These are the official resort counter prices from 19 December 2026 to 28 March 2027. Children are under 15, and seniors are 60 and over with ID.
| Ticket | Adult | Child | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | ¥7,800 | ¥4,700 | ¥6,300 |
| 2 days | ¥14,500 | ¥8,700 | ¥11,650 |
| 3 days | ¥21,200 | ¥12,700 | ¥17,000 |
| 4 hours | ¥6,700 | ¥4,000 | ¥5,350 |
| Night (5pm to 8pm) | ¥2,850 | ¥1,700 | n/a |
Two and three-day counter passes run on consecutive days from purchase. The four-hour pass starts when you first pass through the gate. Night tickets only work on nights when night skiing runs.
Early Season and Spring Prices
From opening to 18 December, an adult day pass costs ¥5,600. Children pay ¥3,400 and seniors ¥4,500. From 29 March to closing, an adult day costs ¥6,100, with children at ¥3,600 and seniors at ¥4,900.
The IC Card Deposit
Passes come on a reusable IC card with a ¥500 deposit. Hand the card back at the end of your trip and you get the deposit back. It is easy to forget on the last day, so keep it in a jacket pocket you will check.
Multi-Day and Flexible Passes
The resort counters sell consecutive passes up to three days. Most ski holidays run five days or longer. For those, you buy through your lodging or a village agent instead.
These longer passes are often flexible. Rather than consecutive days, you ski a set number of days within a wider window. That lets you take a rest day, or sit out a rainy one, without wasting a ticket.
As an example, one village operator sells a five-day adult pass for ¥34,000, usable on any five of seven days. A seven-day pass costs ¥47,500, valid on any seven of ten days. That works out at roughly ¥6,800 a day, well below the day rate.
Ask your lodging first. Many Nozawa lodges sell passes at check-in and some bundle them with rental. Ask before you arrive, since flexible passes are not sold at the resort counters.
Season Passes for 2026/27
An adult season pass costs ¥102,500, plus the ¥500 card deposit. Children pay ¥62,000 and seniors ¥83,000. It is valid from opening day to 5 May 2027.
A spring season pass covers 1 March to closing. It costs ¥55,500 for adults, ¥33,500 for children and ¥44,500 for seniors. The early bird season pass offer closed on 30 September 2026.
A season pass makes sense if you are skiing more than about thirteen days. That usually means people working a ski season in Nozawa, rather than holiday visitors. Season pass holders also get ¥1,000 off day passes at Togari, Kijimadaira and Madarao.
Where to Buy Your Nozawa Onsen Lift Pass
There are four main ways to buy a pass. The right one depends on how long you are staying.
Resort Ticket Counters
Counters at the Nagasaka and Hikage base areas sell day passes and passes up to three days. This suits short trips. Queues can be long on the first morning of a busy weekend.
Online Through the Resort
The resort sells passes online by credit card, with sales usually opening in December. Buying ahead saves time at the counter. Check the official Nozawa Onsen ticket page for when online sales open.
Through Your Lodging
Most lodges and village agents sell passes, often with discounts or flexible days. For a week or longer, this is usually the best value. It also means your pass is waiting when you check in.
Village Agents
Several village booking offices sell multi-day and flexible passes, plus rental and lessons. Some only release their rates once the resort confirms official prices. Book early for the January and February peak.
Tips to Save on Your Lift Pass
Ski early or late in the season. Early December and late March both bring lower prices and quieter slopes. The trade-off is less reliable snow in December and softer snow in spring.
Buy a flexible multi-day pass rather than day tickets. Over a week, the saving runs to thousands of yen. You also keep the freedom to rest when your legs need it.
Use the four-hour pass on your arrival day or a half day. If you land in the village around lunchtime, it is far better value than a full day.
Bring ID if you qualify as a senior. Staff will check your age before selling a senior pass.
What Your Pass Covers
A standard pass covers all lifts and both gondolas, the Nagasaka and the Hikage. The Yu Road moving walkway up to the slopes is free and does not need a pass.
Night skiing needs a separate night ticket. Lessons, rental and snowshoe tours are also extra. For guided powder days and backcountry trips, browse the OneLife Viator shop.
Before you go, sort travel insurance that covers skiing. A plan through World Nomads covers snow sports and gear. A good pair of ski goggles is worth packing too, since Nozawa sees frequent snowfall.
Keep Exploring
The Complete Nozawa Onsen Travel Guide
Runs by Ability and Snow Record
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Nozawa Onsen lift pass in 2026/27?
A regular-season adult day pass costs ¥7,800. Children pay ¥4,700 and seniors ¥6,300. Early season and spring day passes are cheaper, from ¥5,600 for adults.
Can you buy a Nozawa Onsen lift pass online?
Yes. The resort sells passes online by credit card, with sales usually opening in December. Lodges and village agents also sell passes before you arrive.
Is a multi-day pass cheaper at Nozawa Onsen?
Yes. A three-day counter pass works out cheaper per day than single days. Flexible passes of five days or more through local agents bring the daily cost down further.
What age counts as a child or senior?
Child passes cover those under 15. Senior passes are for those 60 and over, and you need ID showing your age.
Is there a deposit on the lift pass?
Yes. Each IC card carries a ¥500 deposit, which is refunded when you return the card.
When does the 2026/27 season start?
The resort is scheduled to open on 28 November 2026 and close on 5 May 2027. Opening depends on snowfall.
Final Thoughts
The Nozawa Onsen lift pass is one of the easiest decisions on a Japan ski trip. Prices are fair and the mountain is big. Its snow is about as good as it gets.
Work out your dates, ask your lodging about flexible passes, and buy before the January rush. Then all that is left is first chair.
Keep the card somewhere safe. You will want that deposit back for a last bowl of ramen.
Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, OneLife may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Lift prices are set by the resort and agents and can change, so please confirm current rates before you buy.