Best outside onsen in snow with easy access from tokyo?

Im looking to do a day trip from tokyo, and visit an outside onsen in the snow with awesome views. I would also like easy access from the JR lines. I do not speak Japanese, so that is a concern also.

Can you please provide details including what stations to take, what buses, where to purchase tickets, and links with any of your suggestions?

Thank you!

Best outside onsen in snow with easy access from tokyo?

There is a rotenburo is Zao (a ski resort) but would be too far for a day trip.

Hakone is probably a reasonable alternative for a day trip. See report for Shougetsu Onsen, Hakone Yumoto:

http://www.japan-zone.com/omnibus/onsen.shtml

Best outside onsen in snow with easy access from tokyo?

Your best bet for snow, onsen, views, and easy access is to go to a snow resort.

There are a few very close to Tokyo, by shinkansen.

You can try Gala Yuzawa (or just Yuzawa) where the shinkansen station exits to a ski slope.

There is also Hakuba, a short bus ride from Nakano, also a shinkansen stop.

Tickets are available at any midori no modoguchi (JR ticket window in the station)

I am sure there are plenty of places in both Yuzawa and Hakuba that meet your requirements. Yuzawa is particularly good for a day trip.

e-yuzawa.gr.jp/english/hotsprings-in-yuzawa.鈥?/a>

http://vill.hakuba.nagano.jp/~us/onsen.html

Good hunting. Find that tripod yet?

You may want to consider Kusatsu Onsen--you can take a Limited Express Kusatsu from Ueno to Naganoharakusatsuguchi. It takes about 2.5 hours. A JRbus meets you there and takes you into Kusatsu in about 20 minutes. It is a fantastic place with an absolutely gigantic outdoor onsen (and many small ones too). The thing is you have to make sure you are on the last limited express out which leaves at 16:24 (so you would leave by bus about 45 minutes before that). You would be back in Ueno at 19:04.

Up to you to consider if the cost and time is worth it, but I think it is. There are other ways to get there as well, but I have used that route 2x for day trips. Helps if you have a JR pass of course. It would really be best if you could manage to stay one night there and that would give you plenty of time to enjoy the town.

Here is a web page about Kusatsu

http://www.kusatsu-onsen.org/

To me the best Onsen is Sai No Kawara Outdoor Bath

which is about a 30 minutes walk from train station.

Here is the site specifically devoted for private onsen in snow in-room or reservable outdoor at reasonable rates. Also, the main site shows most of reservable/in-room onsens in Japan. But in Japanese only. Have somebody help you narrow down.

www.kashikiri-onsen.com/feature_yukimi02.html