It's mid-April and let's be honest, most of Japan's lifts have already shut for the season. But that doesn't mean there's nothing to talk about. A few diehards are still riding, property hunters are circling, and resorts are quietly lining up upgrades for next winter. Let's do a quick lap of the country.
Hokkaido
Pretty much done up north. Niseko United wrapped up the season a few weeks back, and Rusutsu and Kiroro are both closed. The exception, as always, is Asahidake. Being a volcanic area with serious elevation, it tends to hold snow deep into spring and sometimes beyond. If you're still chasing turns in Hokkaido, that's your only real option right now. Worth checking the Asahidake ropeway schedule before you book anything though.
Furano closed out a solid season with good late snow, and Tomamu had a strong finish too. For those thinking about next year, Hokkaido's powder reputation is as strong as ever and the yen is still doing Aussies a favour.
Tohoku
Zao Onsen in Yamagata is the one to watch at this time of year. The resort sits high and cold, and its famous juhyo (snow monsters) season is long gone, but there's usually still enough snow hanging around the upper mountain in April for some decent spring skiing. Check the lifts operating before you head out though, it's skeleton service by now.
Hakkoda is another late-season gem. It's a backcountry-heavy area and spring conditions up there can actually be brilliant for touring. Gassan, technically a minor resort, is worth a mention because it runs one of Japan's longest seasons, sometimes staying open until July. If you haven't skied Gassan, put it on the list for next season.
Nagano
Hakuba has closed up shop across most of its resorts. Happo-One, Goryu, Hakuba 47, all done. Cortina, which usually goes late, will be wrapping up around now too if it hasn't already. The village is quiet but a lot of accommodation and tour operators are already taking bookings for 2026/27, so if Hakuba is on your list for next season, don't sleep on locking something in early.
Shiga Kogen, being Japan's biggest linked ski area, held on well through late March but it's done now. Nozawa Onsen had a cracking season and there's already buzz around some lift infrastructure chatter for next year. Nothing confirmed yet but keep an eye on that one.
And for those who've never done Madarao, that little resort punches well above its weight for powder and tree skiing. Worth a look for next season.
Niigata
Kagura and Mitsumata are the last ones standing in Niigata and they're hanging on with spring snow. Kagura in particular sits high enough that it can run into May in a good year. Worth a check if you're still in Japan and keen for one last run.
Naeba is closed. GALA Yuzawa, which is connected directly to the shinkansen, wrapped up recently too. Myoko Kogen had a great season with solid snowfall through February and March. Lotte Arai had another strong year and is continuing to build its reputation as a more premium option in the region.
Central Honshu
Dynaland and Takasu Snow Park in Gifu are both done for the season. Ski Jam Katsuyama in Fukui, one of the bigger resorts in this part of Japan, has also closed out. These resorts are lower elevation and April just doesn't work for them. If you're in the area, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route opens around mid-April for sightseeing in the snow corridor, which isn't skiing but is genuinely one of the most wild things you can do in Japan in spring.
Kanto
Hunter Mountain Shiobara in Tochigi and most of the Gunma resorts are closed. Kusatsu Onsen had a decent run this season but it's over. Tambara sometimes pushes late but don't count on it now. If you're based in Tokyo and still got the itch, your best bet is a bullet train to Kagura. It's about 70 minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa and might still have some turns left in it.
Western Honshu
Daisen in Tottori is closed. It's a fun resort and wildly underrated for its views of the coast, but it runs a shorter season than most. File it away for December next year.
Property Bargains Worth a Look
Ski Asia just dropped a solid piece from Uchi CEO Chris Pickering rounding up 10 Japanese ski property bargains starting from as little as US$30,000. Yes, you read that right. As the season winds down, it's actually a smart time to look at the market. Sellers are motivated and buyers have more leverage. Entry points like that are pretty hard to ignore if you've ever dreamed of having your own base in Japan. Worth a read if that's been rattling around in the back of your head.
That's a wrap for this week. Most of Japan is in post-season mode now, but we'll keep tracking the late-season holdouts and start covering resort news and upgrade announcements as they come through. Next season will be here before you know it.