Hokkaido
Right, let's get the big news out of the way first. Niseko Grand Hirafu hosted the Swatch Nines progression session from April 6-11, and adaptive skier Jay Rawe landed the world's first-ever Flair on a sit-ski. First ever. In the history of the sport. And it happened on the slopes of Hirafu. That's the kind of thing you'll be telling people about in the lift queue next February, so remember where you heard it.
As for actual skiing right now, Hokkaido is winding down hard. Niseko United is closed for the season. Rusutsu, Kiroro and Tomamu are all done. The mountain that's still delivering anything worth talking about is Asahidake, which sits at 1,600m-plus and typically holds snow well into May. If you're in Japan right now and desperate for turns, Asahidake is your best bet in Hokkaido. Check conditions before you rock up, but there's usually enough up top to make it worthwhile. Kurodake is in a similar position, though access depends on the ropeway schedule swapping to its spring timetable.
For everyone else planning a trip, the big question for next season is what happens with the yen. U.S. capital has been flowing back into Japanese stocks as the yen stabilises a bit, which could nudge accommodation and lift ticket prices. Not panic stations, but worth watching if you're budgeting a trip for 2026-27.
Tohoku
Gassan is the one to watch up here and honestly, it's the one to watch every spring in Japan. It typically opens for its spring season around late April, and with its north-facing bowls sitting above 1,800m, it holds the snow longer than almost anywhere else in Honshu. If Gassan is on your radar for a late spring lap, keep an eye on their opening announcement. Last few years they've been running into May with decent coverage.
Zao Onsen in Yamagata closed out its regular season, but the juhyo (snow monsters) season was reportedly strong this year. Worth noting for next winter planning. Appi Kogen and Hakkoda are both closed now. Tohoku had a solid season overall though, and if you've never done Hakkoda's backcountry tree skiing, put it on the list for 2026-27.
Nagano
Happo-One in Hakuba closed its main season. Cortina, which runs a bit later due to its heavy snowfall pocket, is also done. The good news for Nagano fans is that Shiga Kogen, sitting up at elevation across its 21 linked areas, tends to squeeze out a bit more time than the valley resorts. Check Yokoteyama-Shibutoge or Yakebitai for any remaining operations, but don't bank on it.
Now's actually the right time to start thinking about passes for next season. The Hakuba Valley ski pass and the various Shiga options usually release early bird pricing over the northern hemisphere summer. If you're a regular Hakuba visitor, locking in accommodation between now and June often gets you better rates before the Tokyo crowd books out the valley for peak weeks in January and February.
Yamaboku Wild Snow Park deserves a mention here. It's a minor resort in northern Nagano that punches above its weight for powder days and it's completely under the radar for most Aussies. One to consider if you're building a multi-resort Nagano trip for next season.
Niigata
Kagura and Mitsumata are Niigata's last men standing most seasons, and this year is no different. Kagura in particular sits high enough that it regularly skis into early May. If there's one resort in Niigata worth checking right now, it's Kagura. The upper mountain can hold 2m+ base through April in a good year.
Gala Yuzawa, Naeba, Joetsu Kokusai and the Yuzawa cluster are all closed or down to skeleton operations. For next season planning, Naeba's gondola access and the Dragondola link to Tashiro make it one of the best bad-weather options in the country. Big vertical, lots of terrain to move around on when visibility is poor. Worth building into your itinerary.
Lotte Arai Resort continues to quietly build its reputation as a serious luxury option in Myoko. If you haven't stayed there, it's worth considering for 2026-27 especially if you want a Myoko base with powder tree access and don't want to self-cater.
Kanto (Gunma / Tochigi)
Pretty much everything in Kanto is done and dusted. Tambara and Kawaba have closed. Kusatsu Onsen ran a good season, the sulphur smell and all. These resorts are better thought of as a weekend hit from Tokyo rather than a dedicated ski trip, but they fill a gap for people based in the capital.
Central Honshu
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is the spring skiing story for this region and it's not even technically a ski resort. The route opens to tourists in mid-April and the snow walls along the road are genuinely wild. You can't ski the walls, but it's worth building into a broader Japan trip. Worth knowing for planning purposes if you're doing Nagano or Niigata and want to add something different.
Western Honshu
Daisen in Tottori is closed. The season was short and a bit patchy this year compared to the Japan Sea coast further north. If you're considering Daisen as part of a wider western Japan trip next season, it's more reliable in January and February than in late season.
Bottom line for today: Japan ski season 2025-26 is effectively over bar Asahidake, Kurodake and Kagura. But that just means it's time to start sorting next season. Get onto accommodation early, watch the pass deals, and if you haven't been to Gassan in spring, add it to the list.