Nozawa Onsen Lift Pass: Prices, Multi-Day Options & Where to Buy

How the IC Card Lift Pass System Works at Nozawa Onsen

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort (野沢温泉スキー場) uses a rechargeable IC card system for all lift access — similar to how transit IC cards work across Japan. Instead of paper tickets, you purchase or rent an IC card (ICカード) with a refundable ¥500 (~$3.30) deposit, then load your chosen pass type onto it. The card scans at every lift gate, making access seamless across the resort's 36 courses.

This system applies to all pass types: single-day, multi-day, point-based, and season passes. You keep the card for the duration of your stay and return it at any ticket counter for your deposit back. It's a straightforward system once set up, and the card works across the entire mountain including both gondolas. Nozawa Onsen is one of many Nagano ski resorts using this contactless approach.

Daily Lift Pass Prices

Adult, Child, and Senior Pricing

According to the Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort official site, the 2025-26 season daily lift pass prices are:

Pass Type	Adult	Child (under 15)	Senior (60+)
1-Day Pass	¥7,500 (~$50)	¥4,500 (~$30)	¥6,000 (~$40)
IC Card Deposit	¥500 (~$3.30)	¥500 (~$3.30)	¥500 (~$3.30)

Children aged 5 and under ski free — no ticket is issued, and they pass through the gates with an accompanying adult. Seniors must show valid ID (a passport works) at the ticket counter to receive the discounted rate.

Night Skiing Rates

Night skiing operates from 17:00 to 20:00 during the December through March period. Separate night skiing rates apply, though specific night pass pricing should be confirmed at the ticket counter or on the official resort site as it may vary by season.

Multi-Day and Season Pass Options

Multi-Day Consecutive Passes

If you're skiing for more than one day, multi-day consecutive passes offer meaningful savings over buying single-day passes. The 2025-26 season pricing:

Pass Type	Adult	Child (under 15)	Senior (60+)
2-Day Pass	¥13,900 (~$92)	¥8,300 (~$55)	¥11,100 (~$74)
Daily equivalent (2-Day)	¥6,950	¥4,150	¥5,550

The 2-day pass saves ¥1,100 per adult compared to two single-day passes — roughly a 7% discount. Many visitors on Reddit recommend multi-day passes for trips of three days or longer, where savings compound. Passes must be used on consecutive days.

Season Pass and Early Bird Discounts

For extended stays or repeat visitors, according to the official season pass page, season passes for 2025-26 are priced at:

Pass Type	Adult	Child	Senior
Full Season	¥97,500 (~$650)	¥58,500 (~$390)	¥78,500 (~$523)
Early Bird (by Sep 30)	¥88,000 (~$587)	—	—

The early bird discount saves ¥9,500 on the adult full-season pass if purchased by September 30. Season pass applications are accepted by mail from October 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026. All season passes require the ¥500 IC card deposit on top of the listed price.

A spring-only season pass (valid March 1 through May 6) is also available for those targeting late-season skiing.

Point Tickets: Pay-Per-Ride for Short Visits

If you only plan to ski for a few hours or want flexibility without committing to a full day pass, Nozawa Onsen offers a point-based system. You load points onto your IC card and spend them per ride:

Lift Type	Points per Ride	Cost per Ride (Adult)
Standard Chairlift	1 point	¥700 (~$4.70)
Hikage Gondola	3 points	¥2,100 (~$14)
Nagasaka Gondola	5 points	¥3,500 (~$23)

Point tickets make sense if you're planning a half-day of casual skiing, want to take a few gondola rides for sightseeing (non-skiers can ride the gondola for ¥3,500 round-trip), or are mixing skiing with other Nozawa Onsen activities like the village's free public hot spring baths. For a full day of skiing, a day pass is almost always better value — just four or five chairlift rides already approach the break-even point.

Where to Buy Lift Passes at Nozawa Onsen

Nagasaka and Hikage Gondola Ticket Counters

The two primary ticket purchase locations are at the base of the Nagasaka Gondola (ナガサカゴンドラ) and the Hikage Gondola. Both counters sell all pass types, issue new IC cards, and process returns for your ¥500 deposit. Counters open with the lifts at 8:30 and close approximately 30 minutes before the last lift runs.

For a detailed look at the Nozawa Onsen gondola and lift system, see our separate guide.

Online Recharge via the Official App

Nozawa Onsen offers online IC card recharging through their official app, though this requires prior registration with a Japanese-language interface. Most international visitors find it simpler to purchase at the counter on arrival. Season pass holders can apply by mail, which avoids the counter entirely.

Tips for Getting the Best Value on Your Lift Pass

• 3+ day trips: Always buy multi-day consecutive passes. The savings over single-day passes add up to roughly 10-15% depending on duration.
• 10+ day trips: Consider the season pass, especially at early bird pricing (¥88,000 by September 30). It breaks even at around 12-13 days of adult skiing.
• Half-day visits: Use point tickets rather than a full day pass if you're only planning a morning or afternoon session.
• Don't forget the deposit: Return your IC card at the ticket counter before leaving Nozawa Onsen to get your ¥500 back.
• Combine with onsen: Nozawa Onsen village has 13 free public hot spring baths — ski in the morning, soak in the afternoon. Point tickets suit this mixed itinerary.
• Lessons: If booking ski lessons at Nozawa Onsen, check whether lesson packages include lift access to avoid double-paying.

For help choosing between pass types based on your trip length, see our Nozawa Onsen ski pass comparison guide.