The questions guests ask most before booking — rooms, meals, the walk from the bus, the fire festival, and how payment and cancellation work. If yours is not here, email [email protected] and a person will answer.

The room

Can I book a private room on my own?

Yes. Every room is a private double — one king bed or two singles — and a solo traveller books the whole room, so you never share with another guest. There are nine rooms: 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 303, 305, 306 and 307. See the rooms and their photos.

Is there a single supplement?

No. One guest pays the same room rate as two. A third guest, sleeping on a futon, adds 25%.

Can I stay four consecutive nights?

Yes, subject to availability. Most winter dates need a minimum of two nights; Christmas, New Year and the fire festival usually need three or more. Enter your dates on the booking page and it will tell you straight away.

Can I see photos of the room I will actually stay in?

Yes. Each room is listed by number with its own photos on the Rooms page, and you book a specific room. Tell us when you book whether you want the bed made as a king or as two singles.

Is there a toilet or bathroom inside the room?

No, there is no en-suite. The bathrooms are shared and were renovated to a modern Western standard: separate facilities for men and women, and walk-in rain showers in private, lockable rooms that one guest uses at a time.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00. There is no reception desk staffed around the clock, so tell us your arrival time and we will make sure someone is there.

Is there Wi-Fi? Where do I dry my gear?

Free Wi-Fi throughout. There is a drying room for skis, boots and jackets, a shared kitchen with a large dining table, and a lounge with a large TV and board games.

Food

Are breakfast and dinner included?

No. There is no restaurant at the lodge and no meal service. The commercial kitchen is fully equipped and yours to use, with a large dining table, and the village has cafés, bakeries and restaurants a few minutes’ walk away. In peak season the popular restaurants fill by seven, so book ahead or cook in.

What will four nights cost?

The price is per room per night and changes with the date across the season, so the exact total for your four nights is the figure the booking page shows for your dates — it already includes the 3.5% village tax, and there is no booking fee.

Getting here and getting around

How far is the lodge from the Chuo bus terminal?

Three minutes on foot. The lodge is in the centre of the village at 9753-9 Oaza Toyosato. In January the lanes are packed snow and can be icy, so waterproof boots with grip are worth bringing; the walk is short enough to do with one bag. Skis and large bags can be sent ahead by takkyubin courier.

Do I need a car?

No. The village runs a free shuttle bus, and the Yu Road — a free covered moving walkway — connects the village to the Hikage base. The gondola, the shops, the restaurants and the public bath-houses are all within a short walk. In January you will be glad not to have a car.

The Dosojin fire festival

How do I get tickets for the fire festival on 15 January 2027?

The fire ceremony is on the night of Friday 15 January 2027; the wider festival runs from 13 to 15 January. In 2026 entry to the ceremony ground was by ticket, and tickets were issued only to village residents and to guests staying overnight in Nozawa Onsen — they came through the accommodation each guest had booked. The 2027 rules are usually announced in late November or early December. Book a room in the village for the night; if you stay with us, we will help you get your ticket under whatever system the village sets. The daytime events on 13, 14 and 15 January are open to everyone.

Things to do

Can I join winter activities without a car?

Yes. Local operators run small-group snow-monkey tours with pickup from Nozawa Onsen — Jigokudani is about 50 minutes away, and the tour arranges park admission. There is also guided snowshoeing, English-speaking ski and snowboard lessons, and rental shops in the village. Tell us what you would like to do and we will point you to the operators running while you are here. The village’s official English portal lists what is on.

Money, booking and cancellation

How do I pay?

By card, through Square. You pay a deposit when you book and the balance is charged automatically to the same card before you arrive. We email an itemised receipt for every charge. The price on the booking page includes the 3.5% village tax.

What is the cancellation policy?

All bookings are non-refundable. Once your room is reserved it is taken off the market and held for you, so we cannot refund a cancellation or a no-show, whatever the reason. If your plans change, tell us as early as you can: if we manage to re-let the room for your dates, we will refund what we recover, less bank transfer fees. Date changes are subject to availability and are treated as a cancellation and a new booking. We strongly recommend travel insurance. Read the full policy.

Are the hot springs free?

Yes. Nozawa has thirteen public bath-houses (soto-yu), kept by the villagers and free to use; a small donation is welcome. They are very hot. Some private onsen and day-use baths charge a small entry fee.

Still have a question?

Email [email protected] — a person will answer.