Most Honshu ski resorts open in December. But the exact day depends on two things: how high the resort sits, and whether it makes its own snow. A few high or snow-sure resorts open in November. Most main resorts open in the two weeks around Christmas. This guide groups every resort we cover by when it opens — and when it closes — so you can match the snow to your Tokyo trip dates.
One simple rule helps families most: resorts that make their own snow open on a fixed date almost every year. Resorts that wait for natural snow can open late, or open with only a few runs. If your dates are fixed, a snow-making resort is the safer choice. Karuizawa, Fujiten, and GALA Yuzawa are good examples.
How to read this guide
- ✓Typical opening is the usual window each season, based on past years and elevation. Use this when you plan a future trip. These are general guides, so a real date can move by a few days.
- ✓2025–26 dates are the dates for this season, kept here as a reference. We do not change them during the season. For the latest live dates, check each resort page or our season page below.
- ✓
The big picture (read this first)
Opening and closing by resort
Resorts are grouped by area, from the easiest Tokyo access outward.
Karuizawa
| Resort | Typical opening | 2025–26 dates | Kids | Tokyo access |
|---|
Yuzawa
Hakuba
Nozawa
| Resort | Typical opening | 2025–26 dates | Kids | Tokyo access |
|---|
Myoko
Shiga Kogen
Yamanashi
| Resort | Typical opening | 2025–26 dates | Kids | Tokyo access |
|---|
Closing dates — when does the snow run out?
Most resorts close at the end of March. But several run much longer. If you want spring snow, these are the ones to plan around:
Spring snow feels different — softer, slower, and warmer. For families it can be easier, not harder, especially for young children. We wrote a full guide to skiing Honshu in March, April, and Golden Week: Late-Season Japan Ski with Kids.
A note on natural-snow resorts
Some resorts open only when enough snow falls. They announce a date, but it can move. In the 2025–26 season, Nozawa Onsen opened on its planned day but ran only a few courses at first, because early snow was thin. This is normal for natural-snow resorts, and not a problem. It just means you should check the resort's live conditions before you go.
Resorts that make their own snow — Karuizawa, Fujiten, GALA Yuzawa, and others — open on their planned date in almost every year. For a family with fixed travel dates, that reliability matters more than deep powder.
Next steps