Tokyo → Nozawa Onsen

The standard path is Tokyo → Iiyama on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (about 1.5–2 hours on the fastest trains), then the Nozawa Onsen Liner or taxi to the village (roughly 25–40 minutes). Plan roughly 3–4 hours total from central Tokyo to the village in normal conditions.

• Reserve Shinkansen seats in peak season; ski weeks sell out on popular Friday and Sunday trains.
• Bus from Iiyama: check the latest timetable each season — last bus misses are painful when you are carrying boots and jackets.
• Luggage: one roller plus boot bag per person is the comfortable max for trains; oversized bags push you toward highway bus or van charter.

Nozawa’s village is compact — if you arrive before check-in, agree on a café or onsen meetup spot so the crew is not scattered on the main street with all their gear.