Personally I would book the lesson in Australia before going with English speaking instructor so your assured of your place and availability sometimes during the busy season there isn’t enough spare spots and I definitely wouldn’t have a go without the proper instruction beforehand . We always booked in Australia so we had peace of mind Best Wishes for your trip

All the public baths are free except one.

My friends visited the baths last few years. Both have tattoos and I haven’t heard they had to cover them. They went to the tourist baths where you can wear swimmers, but also the public ones, where you go in without.

depends on your priorities - there is not a lot to do other than ski onsens and dining - with kids snow monkeys one day but it is very relaxing unlike other ski resorts maybe split with one of the others like niseko or hakuba if you need action

Hi, The town and resort are getting busier each season, however the lines at gondolas and most lifts are still quite good. The busiest chair is up higher on the mountain at Yamabiko. Have a great trip.

I don’t know about August but the hot springs are a natural phenomenon so they exist regardless of the season. Yes family friendly within the sexes. The ladies Onsen often has little girls being bathed by their mothers. I guess the little boys go to the separate male Onsen with their fathers

A day trip is possible, however it depends on where you are coming in from. It's a 90 minute Shinkansen trip from Tokyo, and they aren't cheap if you don't have a Japan Rail pass. If time permits, stay overnight, as you will get a feel for the area. It's easy to get there ... I took the Nozawa Liner (bus) from Iiyama Shinkansen station, and it's about a 20 minute trip. Things to do include Onsens and foot baths, looking at the many Shrines, walking around the main town (it's easy, and you can't get too lost), Oyu Dori (the main street) where you can buy Oyaki (steamed buns), Nappa Café (Café 78), Nagaska Gondola to Mt Kenashi, walking on the snow at the Hikage ski area (use the moving Yu Road, or the free chairlift from the Shin-Yu area), watching the snow from a café at the Nagasaka ski area. Depending on when you are going, there is also the fire festival. Check out the nozawa-onsen and nozawaholidays websites

Hi James, sorry for late reply. snow in december it depends on the season they are having we went march 2017 and the snow was incredible january they were having blizzards so you bever know. Email nozawa holidays it's aussie run they do lift passes/accomodations and lessons or day trips we went thru them really good and organise everything. There are free onsens everywhere i have tattoos and the women didnt seem bothered by them so give a go and see. Hope this helps Yvette

Hi...we went late March...still great snow...its great right up to end of peak season (31/3) Come 1 April...cherry blossom's are in the Japanese psyche...so things wind down regardless of the fabulous snow. Snow was falling for us late March and lots of snow monkeys still to visit. You will love it. Say high to Dave and Gardner at the Craft Room. They will look after you. Enjoy.