Right, it's Thursday 23 April 2026 and let's be honest with each other: the season is done for most of Japan. The lifts are quiet, the onsens are still pumping, and resort operators are already thinking about next winter. But a few stubborn holdouts are still running, and if you're in Japan right now or planning a cheeky late-season trip, here's what you need to know.
Hokkaido
Asahidake is the one to watch. Sitting at around 2,290 metres, it's the highest point in Hokkaido and basically operates on its own schedule. The ropeway is still running daily and there's legitimate snowpack up top, though spring conditions mean you're dealing with variable surface quality, especially in the afternoon when the sun does its thing. Get up there early. Kurodake in Daisetsuzan is in a similar situation, ropeway open, snow still present, but you're firmly in corn-snow-and-patience territory now.
Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano, all closed. Tomamu called it a few weeks back too. That whole corridor is done until December. If you're passing through Hokkaido, honestly it's a great time to scope out Niseko off-season, the town of Hirafu is a completely different beast without the crowds and you can get a proper read on where the new development is heading ahead of next season.
Tohoku
Gassan is the story here, as it is every spring. This place doesn't even open until April and it runs through late May or sometimes into June depending on the year. It's a genuine spring skiing destination, not a consolation prize. The snowpack on the upper mountain has been solid this season overall and conditions right now are what you'd expect: firm in the morning, softening nicely by mid-morning, slushy by early afternoon. Hiking is required to access most of the good terrain but that's part of the deal at Gassan.
Zao Onsen in Yamagata has closed for the season but it's worth flagging for next year's planning. The juhyo, those incredible snow monsters formed on the trees at altitude, are a proper bucket-list experience and the onsen town is one of the best in Tohoku. Put it on your radar if you haven't been.
Hakkoda near Aomori is worth a mention too. The ropeway typically runs into late April and conditions can still be decent for spring touring. Check their site before you commit to the drive but it's not out of the question for a day out this week.
Nagano
Happo-One at Hakuba closed a couple of weeks back. So did Goryu, 47, and most of the valley. Cortina hung on a bit longer as it usually does thanks to its northerly aspect and tree skiing, but it's done now too. Tsugaike had a reasonable late-season run this year.
Shiga Kogen is fully closed. Same story at Nozawa Onsen and Madarao. The Nagano season is wrapped up.
What is worth your attention though is the Hakuba pass situation for next season. The Hakuba Valley Tourism Board has been pushing multi-resort access options and if you're planning a trip for January or February 2027, now is genuinely a good time to research your accommodation before the good stuff books out. The valley was absolutely chockers this past season and that trend isn't reversing.
Niigata
Kagura and Mitsumata deserve a mention here because Kagura in particular has one of the best spring reputations in the country. It sits higher than most of the Niigata resorts and has been known to keep a run or two open into early May. Worth checking their official site this week. Gala Yuzawa, which has the advantage of being literally connected to the Shinkansen, closed up not long ago. Naeba is done. Most of the Yuzawa area has called it.
One thing to flag for Niigata planning: Lotte Arai Resort has been steadily building its reputation as a premium option in this region. If you haven't skied it, it's worth a look for next season. The terrain variety is solid and it gets decent snow.
Central Honshu
Takasu Snow Park and Dynaland in Gifu are closed. Ski Jam Katsuyama in Fukui is done. This whole region wraps up earlier than the alpine resorts further north. Nothing to see here for skiing right now but Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Toyama opens in mid-April and the snow walls along the road are genuinely jaw-dropping, not skiing obviously, but if you're in the area it's worth every yen.
Kanto
All closed. Hunter Mountain Shiobara, Kawaba, Tambara, all done. Kusatsu Onsen ski area finished up. The Gunma and Tochigi resorts typically can't compete with late-season conditions elsewhere so they don't try to. That said, the onsens around Kusatsu are still fully operational and honestly that's reason enough to visit.
Western Honshu and Shikoku
Daisen in Tottori wrapped up weeks ago. Nothing left here worth chasing.
Looking Ahead
With the season effectively over outside of Gassan and the Hokkaido ropeways, now's the time to do your homework for 2026/27. Accommodation books out fast, particularly in Niseko and Hakuba. Lift pass deals and early-bird offers usually start trickling out from around June or July. We'll be across all of it as it drops.