Right, it's the 3rd of June. The lifts are stopped, the chalets are empty, and the only snow left in Japan is sitting on high alpine ridges that nobody's skiing. But that doesn't mean we switch off. This is the time to plan, book smart, and keep an eye on what each region is doing before the crowds descend again.
Here's where things stand across the country.
Hokkaido - Niseko's Backcountry Moment and What It Means for Next Season
The big story doing the rounds this week is a piece from Unofficial Networks about a crew from PeakRankings heading through Niseko United's backcountry gates this past winter. Grand Hirafu's gates into the Annupuri side bowl and the Hanazono backcountry zones got a solid workout from international visitors, and honestly it's no surprise. The gate system at Niseko is one of the best-managed in Japan. You get real consequence terrain without the full commitment of hiring a guide, though I'd still recommend one if you don't know the drainage lines.
What this signals for next season: Niseko backcountry access is clearly on more people's radar. Book your Niseko accommodation early. I'm talking August at the latest if you want anything decent in Hirafu village for peak January weeks.
Asahidake and Kurodake are both closed now, as expected. Asahidake usually holds snow into May but June is done. Worth noting that Asahidake often opens earlier than anywhere else in Japan come late October or November, so it's the first place to watch when pre-season reports start dropping.
Furano, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Tomamu - all closed. No major upgrade news out of any of them yet this off-season, but keep an eye on Kiroro especially. It's been attracting serious investment interest and any lift or terrain upgrades there would make a genuine difference to what's a criminally underrated resort.
Tohoku - Gassan Probably Still Has Snow, But It's Not Skiing
Gassan in Yamagata is the one Tohoku outlier worth mentioning in June. It's a spring skiing spot that sometimes pushes into late May, but by now even that's done. The crater bowl holds snow forever but the lift access is gone.
Zao Onsen is the resort I'd be watching for next season news. The juhyo (snow monsters) up on the ridge are one of the genuinely unique experiences in Japanese skiing and Zao doesn't get nearly enough international attention. If you haven't been, put it on the list. Appi Kogen is the other one to watch for early-season deals, particularly for families.
Nothing dramatic out of Tohoku right now. It's a quiet off-season up there.
Nagano - Hakuba Getting Ready for a Big Summer
Hakuba valley is firmly in hiking and mountain biking mode. Happo-One's upper mountain is still carrying some snow on the Usagi and Skyline runs, but there's no lift access and it's slushy rubbish at this point. Don't bother.
The more interesting angle for Nagano right now is planning. Nozawa Onsen had a ripper season in 2025-26 by most accounts, and the onsen town itself is worth building a trip around. If you haven't done a proper Nozawa stay (I mean actually staying in the village, not day tripping from Nagano), that's the move for next winter.
Cortina at Hakuba is worth mentioning because it consistently punches above its weight for powder days. Small, no frills, tree skiing that holds snow better than almost anywhere in the valley. Keep it in the rotation.
Shiga Kogen is massive and often overlooked by Australians who default to Hakuba. 21 linked areas. If you want variety over multiple days and don't mind a slightly longer transfer from Tokyo, it's worth a serious look.
Niigata - Kagura Might Actually Still Be Open (Sort Of)
This is the one to flag. Kagura and the Mitsumata area sometimes run a limited spring operation into late May or even early June on the upper mountain, depending on the season. By June 3 it's touch and go, but it's worth checking their site directly if you're desperate for one last run. Don't get your hopes up though.
Naeba is closed. GALA Yuzawa, which has the novelty of direct shinkansen access from Tokyo, is also done for the season. Great resort for a quick Tokyo day trip in January or February, by the way. Seriously underrated for that purpose.
Myoko Kogen is one I keep coming back to for recommendations. Akakura Onsen village has a proper old-school feel, the snowfall is heavy, and it's less crowded than Hakuba. If you're building a two-resort trip from Tokyo, Myoko plus Nozawa is a genuinely great combo.
Central Honshu and Kanto - Nothing to See Here Until December
Dynaland, Takasu Snow Park, the Gunma resorts - all closed and won't be relevant again until late November at the earliest. Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma is worth a mention because the onsen town is worth visiting year-round, and the ski area in winter is a solid day out from Tokyo if Nagano feels too far.
Western Honshu - Daisen Is Waiting
Daisen in Tottori is the one resort in western Japan that gets genuinely good snow in a good year. It's closed now but it's the pick of the region for next season. If you're combining a ski trip with a visit to Hiroshima or Kyoto, Daisen is doable as an add-on.
One Thing Worth Watching This Week
Tropical Storm Jangmi hit parts of Honshu and caused some disruption around Tokyo and Kanagawa. No impact on ski country obviously, but it's a reminder that Japan's weather is never boring. The same atmospheric patterns that bring big typhoons in summer often set up for big snowfall seasons in winter. No promises, but worth noting.
Right. That's your June 3 wrap. Nothing to ski, but plenty to plan. Get your Niseko accommodation sorted before August, seriously consider Myoko or Nozawa as an alternative to the Hakuba default, and check back here when the first pre-season forecasts start dropping in September.
