Right, it's the 23rd of May and I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Japan's ski season is done for almost everyone. The lifts are silent, the groomers are in the shed, and resort staff are probably already planning their summer hiking programs. But a couple of spots are still hanging on, and if you're the type who chases corn snow and doesn't mind slushy afternoons, read on.
Also - and this is the more useful bit for most of you - I've got some early intel worth knowing for the 2026/27 season. Now's actually a great time to start planning.
Hokkaido: Only the Mountains Are Still Playing
The big names are long gone. Niseko United, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano - all closed weeks ago. Even Tomamu wrapped up. But up in the alpine zone, Asahidake is still doing its thing. Japan's highest ski area (around 1,600m at the top) typically holds skiable snow into June in a good year, and 2026 has been decent up there. It's backcountry-adjacent terrain, the facilities are minimal, and you'll need your own gear and a bit of mountain sense. But if you want to ski Japan in late May, Asahidake is basically your only legitimate option in Hokkaido right now.
Kurodake in Daisetsuzan is in a similar boat - worth checking their site if you're already in the Asahikawa area.
Everything else in Hokkaido? Closed. The groomers are done.
Tohoku: Gassan is the Hero You Need
This is where the real late-season action is. Gassan in Yamagata is arguably Japan's best late-season resort and it's still open. Gassan sits high on the Dewa mountains and regularly runs into July. The snowpack up there is genuinely ridiculous - think 3 to 5 metres of base in a good year, and 2026 has been solid. It's a bit of a mission to get to (you're looking at a drive from Yamagata or Sendai), but the skiing is real. Wide open spring snow, no crowds, and a proper Japanese mountain vibe.
Zao Onsen closed its lifts a few weeks back but the town is still worth a visit for the onsen. Just don't expect to ski it.
Hakkoda near Aomori is another one to watch. No groomed runs, but the backcountry there in late May can be sensational if you know what you're doing. Hire a guide. Don't be a hero.
Nagano and Niigata: Cooked, But There's News Worth Knowing
Hakuba is shut. Nozawa is shut. Shiga Kogen, Myoko, Naeba, Kagura - all done. The last Niigata holdout, Kagura, typically runs into May but has now closed out for the season.
Here's the thing though. Now is a genuinely good time to lock in your accommodation for next season, especially in Hakuba. The town books out fast - like, stupidly fast - for peak weeks in January and February. Niseko too. If you're thinking of a trip in January or February 2027, start looking now. Seriously.
Also worth knowing: Lotte Arai Resort in Myoko has been quietly upgrading its lift infrastructure. Worth keeping an eye on their announcements over winter. It's already a ripper resort and if the rumoured gondola upgrade goes ahead, it'll be a proper contender for the top shelf.
Central Honshu and Kanto: Nothing to See Here
Dynaland, Takasu, Ski Jam Katsuyama - all done weeks ago. Same story for the Gunma and Tochigi resorts. Kawaba, Tambara, Kusatsu - lights out.
If you're in the Kanto area and desperate for snow, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Toyama is technically not a ski resort but the snow corridor is open right now and genuinely worth a visit. You're not skiing it, but you're walking through walls of snow up to 20 metres high. It's wild. Worth a day trip from Nagano or Toyama city.
Western Honshu: Already a Distant Memory
Daisen in Tottori closed back in April. Biwako Valley same deal. Nothing to report here except - if you've never skied Daisen, add it to your list for next season. It's underrated, the views over the Sea of Japan are ridiculous, and it's way less crowded than the big Honshu names.
So What Should You Actually Do Right Now?
Honest answer? Stop chasing the 2026 season and start planning 2027. Here's what I'd be doing this week:
- Lock in Hakuba accommodation for mid-January to early February 2027. The good chalets and lodges go fast.
- Check if your Ikon or Epic pass covers your preferred resorts (Niseko and Hakuba 47 are on Ikon, Rusutsu is on Epic).
- If you want to ski Gassan this season, you've still got a window - probably into June. Book something in Yamagata and make the drive.
- Look into a Hokkaido road trip that includes Asahidake while it's still open. Combine it with a Daisetsuzan national park hike. Ripper shoulder season activity.
The season's winding down but the planning never stops. That's the deal when you're properly obsessed with Japow.
