Right, it's Friday 24 April 2026. The lifts are mostly silent, the onsen towns are half-asleep, and anyone still chasing Japow is either at Gassan or seriously committed. Let's do a quick lap of the country and see what's left — and more importantly, what you should be locking in for next season.
Hokkaido — She's Done, Mate
Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano — all closed. The last holdout up north with any kind of meaningful snow is Asahidake, which runs into May most years thanks to its altitude (1,600m base). It's backcountry-adjacent, the lifts are basic, and the terrain is wild. If you're still in Japan and you've got the legs for it, Asahidake is worth the schlep from Sapporo.
Kurodake in Daisetsuzan is in the same boat — ropeway-accessed, late-season, no groomed runs, just big open bowls and whatever nature left behind. Both are genuinely brilliant in late April if conditions cooperate.
Everything else? Locked up. Start thinking about 2026–27 instead.
Tohoku — Gassan Is the Star Right Now
This is where the real action is in late April. Gassan in Yamagata doesn't even open until mid-April and runs through late July in a good year. It's a spring skiing institution — think corn snow, t-shirts, and lunches in the sun. The base depth at the end of April can still be 3–4 metres up top. It's not Japow powder, but it's skiing in Japan in late April, which is its own kind of magic.
Zao Onsen has closed its main ski operations, but the onsen town is very much alive. If you're in the area, the rotenburo (outdoor baths) at Zao are some of the best in Tohoku. Worth a night even without snow.
Hakkoda near Aomori typically wraps up around now too. Check their site if you're heading that way, but don't count on it.
Nagano — Hakuba Is Quiet, Shiga Might Have One Last Lift
Hakuba is done. Happo-One, Goryu, Cortina — all closed for the season. The village is in that weird shoulder-season limbo where the restaurants are open but the streets feel a bit hollow. Good time to visit if you want to walk the valley without crowds though.
Shiga Kogen sometimes keeps one or two lifts spinning into early May, but it's marginal. Check Yakebitai or Okushiga Kogen for any late-season stragglers. Don't book a trip specifically for it — treat it as a bonus if you're already in Nagano.
Nozawa Onsen closed a few weeks back, but again — the town itself is worth a visit. The ogama public bath in the village centre is free and has been running for centuries. Go for that alone.
Niigata — Kagura Might Be the Last One Standing
Kagura / Mitsumata / Tashiro is the late-season hero of Niigata. It typically runs into early May, sometimes mid-May if the snowpack cooperates. The upper mountain at Kagura holds snow longer than almost anywhere else in Honshu. Worth checking their official site before you write it off.
Naeba and Gala Yuzawa are both done. The Shinkansen ski resorts are back to being regular train stops for now.
If Kagura is still running, honestly, I'd go. It's not a powder day, but the upper bowls on a clear late-April day with nobody around? That's a proper send-off to the season.
Central Honshu & Kanto — Wrap It Up
Dynaland, Takasu, Ski Jam Katsuyama — all closed. The Kanto resorts like Kawaba and Tambara are done too. Nothing to chase here until November at the earliest.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route opens late April and runs through mid-November — it's not skiing, but the snow walls on the road through the Northern Alps are absolutely ridiculous. Like 15–20 metres high. If you're in Japan right now, it's worth a detour. Toyama side access, train and bus combo.
Western Honshu — Long Gone
Daisen in Tottori wrapped up weeks ago. Nothing to report here until next season.
What to Do Right Now: Plan Next Season
Here's the honest play for anyone reading this in late April. The season is done. But this is actually the best time to sort your 2026–27 trip because:
- JR Pass prices — lock in before any further fare reviews
- Hakuba accommodation — the better chalets and lodges fill up fast, especially for peak January weeks
- Niseko lift passes — early bird pricing usually drops in May or June
- Flights — Melbourne to Sapporo via Tokyo or Osaka, aim for December departures before Christmas crowds
One more thing worth knowing: Japanese passport fees are dropping to ¥9,000 from July 1. Doesn't affect us Aussies directly, but it does mean more Japanese domestic travellers might be heading overseas — which could tighten up availability at Japan-based tour operators who run international groups. Bit of a stretch, but file it away.
My honest take? If you can get to Gassan in the next two weeks, do it. It's genuinely one of the more underrated experiences in Japanese skiing — spring snow, massive terrain, almost no one there. Everything else? Close the browser, open a spreadsheet, and start planning December 2026. That's where the real fun is.
