20.1km from the Toyota Iiyama IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway

38.8km from the Myoko Kogen IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway

• 55km from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway

Nearest national route: Route 117 (4.3km away)

Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 38

Nozawa Onsen is located a few kilometres off the main Route 117 road, connecting Nagano City with Ojiya City in Niigata Prefecture. It is about 45km to the northeast of central Nagano city and about 15km northeast of central Iiyama city.

Most people will either approach Nozawa Onsen from the Toyota Iiyama IC of the Joshinetsu Expressway or the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC of the Kanetsu Expressway (in Niigata Prefecture).

Approaching Nozawa Onsen from Toyota Iiyama IC (Joshinetsu Expressway):

From the Toyota Iiyama IC exit, turn right onto Route 117 and go through the main shopping area of Iiyama city, following the signs to Nozawa Onsen. After 15km on this road, turn right onto Prefecture Road 410, just before the Lawson convenience store. Continue on this road for about 1km until reaching the traffic lights. Then, turn left onto Prefecture Road 38 and continue into Nozawa Onsen village. The journey from the IC exit takes about 25 minutes.

Approaching Nozawa Onsen from Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC (Kanetsu Expressway):

From Tokyo, some people choose to use the Kanetsu Expressway to head north and continue under the Tanigawadake mountain range in Gunma Prefecture into Niigata Prefecture. Using that route, exit the Kanetsu Expressway at Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC.

After exiting the toll booth at Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC, turn right and continue for 1km until reaching Route 17. Turn left onto Route 17 towards Yuzawa, and after about 650m, turn right onto Route 353. Continue on Route 353 for about 18km until reaching the Route 117 traffic light junction. Turn left onto Route 117 (Nozawa Onsen is on the main signpost). The turn-off for Nozawa Onsen is about a further 31km. The village can be found at the bottom of the mountain, about 4 km off Route 117.

The journey from Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC to Nozawa Onsen is around 55km. In good, clear conditions, it takes about one hour.

• About 3 hours from Tokyo

• About 3 hours 50 minutes from Nagoya

• About 5 hours 50 minutes from Osaka

• About 3 hours 10 minutes from Kanazawa

There are a number of car parks close to the base of Nozawa Onsen.

The Number 1 parking area at Nagasaka holds about 500 vehicles. It is free on weekdays and 1,000 yen on weekends and holidays. Open 6:00am until 6:00pm.

Number 2 parking at Karasawa holds about 220 vehicles. It is free for day trips or 1,500 yen for 2 days (1 overnight). Open 6:00am until 6:00pm.

Number 3 parking holds 400 vehicles and is also free for day trips or 1,500 yen for 2 days (1 overnight). Open 6:00am until 6:00pm.