Joetsu Kokusai will open on Saturday, 12 December 2026 for the 2026-2027 winter season. The season is planned to run until Sunday, 4 April 2027. Last season it opened on 13 December.
Night skiing is planned from 19 December 2026 to 22 March 2027.
Joetsu Kokusai sits in the Yuzawa area, about 2 hours from Tokyo. Take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then the free shuttle bus (about 20 minutes).
Most resorts near Tokyo announce their dates between September and November. We track every confirmed 2026-2027 date, and explain how season timing works, in one place: When Do Honshu Ski Resorts Open?
Planning your trip? See the full Japan ski trip planning timeline.
Source: Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort official website. Translated and summarised by Japow Guides.
