Last Updated on January 9, 2026 by Vlad
🎿 UPDATE: January 9, 2026 – Game Changer!
What a difference a few days makes!
I’m writing this update after returning from Hakuba yesterday, and honestly, Honshu absolutely delivered. After weeks of thin coverage and concerns about base areas, the snow gods finally showed up.
My firsthand report from Hakuba (Jan 8th): We experienced 20-30cm of fresh snow falling in the valley on Thursday. It wasn’t the super light, dry powder Japan’s famous for – it was heavier, wetter snow – but it was still absolutely brilliant for the conditions. Our 5-year-old got to experience lots of snow yet again in Hakuba, and the coverage was perfect for building mini-kamakura (snow domes), snowmen and snow play.
The crowds are back: Hakuba is absolutely pumping with international visitors. Loads of Aussies (naturally), Chinese tourists, Brits, Americans, Russians, French… everyone’s here. The vibe is buzzing, and for good reason.
The numbers tell the story:
- Hakuba 47: 150cm → 190cm (40cm gain!)
- Gala Yuzawa: 110cm → 150cm (40cm gain!)
- Yuzawa Kogen plateau: 80cm → 130cm (50cm gain!)
- Happo-One Kurobashi: 205cm → 240cm
- Myoko Akakura Onsen: Now at 200cm (incredible!)
- Nozawa Onsen: 100-185cm (excellent conditions!)
Even better news: Yuzawa Kogen’s snow play area is reopening tomorrow (Saturday 10th Jan) after continuous snowfall over the past few days. This was completely restricted just last week.
If you’ve been holding off on a Honshu trip because of the snow concerns – that’s no longer an issue. Honshu is now delivering proper Japan powder.
Original Update: January 4, 2026
It’s been a week since my last snow update, and I’ve been watching the conditions closely. If you’re heading to Japan for snow this month, here’s the honest rundown on where things stand right now.
Note: The situation has improved dramatically since this was written – see the January 9th update above for current conditions.
Quick Recap: How We Got Here
This season started rough. Major Hokkaido resorts delayed their late-November openings, and Honshu struggled through most of December with barely any snow.
By mid-December, Hokkaido turned around with consistent dumps. Honshu only started improving in late December, and while there’s been progress over the past week, it’s been slow going for resorts on the mainland.
Now let’s look at where things actually stand today.
Current Conditions (9 January 2026)
The story has completely changed. After my January 4th update where I expressed concerns about thin base areas in Honshu, we’ve had consistent snowfall across the region. The difference is remarkable.
Hokkaido Resorts
Niseko (Hirafu)
- Peak: 270cm (up from 240cm)
- Base: 105cm (up from 80cm)
- All four resort areas operating with excellent coverage
- Consistent snowfall continuing
- Conditions remain world-class
Rusutsu
- Accumulated snow this season: 390-545cm total snowfall!
- Current snow on ground: 120-180cm
- Full terrain operating
- Absolutely incredible conditions
- Still one of the best places in Japan right now
Furano
- Summit: 180cm (up from 145cm)
- Base: 90cm (up from 75cm)
- Excellent coverage across the mountain
- Upper elevations in brilliant shape
Honshu Resorts – The Turnaround
This is the big story: Honshu is now delivering! After weeks of struggling, continuous snowfall over the past week has transformed conditions across Nagano and Niigata.
Hakuba Valley
The improvements here are massive:
Happo-One:
- Kurobashi: 240cm (up from 205cm)
- Usagidaira: 97cm (up from 82cm)
- Nakiyama: 54cm (up from 45cm)
Hakuba 47: 190cm (up from 150cm – that’s 40cm in less than a week!)
Tsugaike Kogen:
- Summit Station: 196cm (up from 160cm)
- Village (Foot of Mountain): 84cm (up from 60cm)
Personal experience: I was just there with my family. The snow on Thursday was absolutely brilliant – 20-30cm of fresh powder falling in the valley. Upper elevations were even better. The base areas that I was worried about last week? They’re now totally fine for snow play with young kids.
If you’re planning a Hakuba trip and want to know what else to do beyond the slopes, my Hakuba winter guide covers everything from family-friendly activities to where to eat.
Nozawa Onsen
- Current depths: 100cm to 185cm across the resort
- Excellent conditions!
- This is now proper Japan powder territory
- Upper mountain absolutely firing
Myoko (Akakura Onsen)
- Current depth: 200cm
- Incredible conditions!
- One of Honshu’s standout performers this week
Shiga Kogen
- Snow accumulation varies from 50cm to 145cm
- Multiple areas operating with good coverage
- High elevation areas excellent
Yuzawa Area – Massive Improvement
The Yuzawa region has absolutely transformed over the past week:
Gala Yuzawa
- Current depth: 150cm (up from 110cm – that’s 40cm gain!)
- Much more terrain operating
- Still the most convenient option from Tokyo
- Now offering proper skiing, not just limited runs
Yuzawa Kogen
- Plateau: 130cm (up from 80cm – 50cm gain!)
- Foothills: 70cm
- Snow play area reopening tomorrow (Saturday 10th Jan) after continuous snowfall
- This was completely restricted last week – not anymore
Tokyo-Area Day Trip Resorts
Yeti (Mount Fuji area)
- Current depth: Up to 90cm
- Decent coverage for day trips
Fujiten (Mount Fuji area)
- Current depth: 50cm
- Artificial snow making still in progress
- Thinner coverage than other areas
What Does This Mean for Your Trip?
If You’re Here Now or Coming This Week
Hokkaido: Still absolutely brilliant. Niseko and Rusutsu continue to deliver world-class powder. You’re getting the full Japan snow experience.
Honshu: This is the big change – Honshu is now delivering proper powder! After weeks of concerns, the continuous snowfall has transformed conditions. Hakuba, Nozawa, Myoko – they’re all firing now.
What to expect:
- Both Hokkaido and Honshu are excellent now – choose based on your logistics and preferences
- Base areas in Honshu are now totally fine for families with young kids
- Yuzawa Kogen’s snow play area reopening this Saturday
- Fresh powder continues to fall across most regions
- International crowds are flooding in (especially Hakuba) – book early and expect busy lifts
Packing tip: Use my Winter Japan Packing Checklist Generator to make sure you’ve got everything you need for the snow.
If You’re Going Late January or February
You’re in for a treat. The bases are now well-established, and we’re hitting the sweet spot of the season.
What to expect:
- Excellent conditions across both Hokkaido and Honshu
- Peak powder season is here
- Book accommodation now – availability is tightening fast as word gets out about the good conditions
Planning a family trip? My Winter in Japan with Kids guide has everything you need to know about travelling with little ones in the snow.
Standout Performers Right Now
Rusutsu continues to be absolutely off the charts with 390-545cm of total snowfall this season. Current snow depth of 120-180cm across the resort. This is peak Japan powder.
Myoko Akakura Onsen is the Honshu revelation with 200cm – absolutely incredible conditions. If you’re looking for a less crowded alternative to Hakuba, this is it.
Nozawa Onsen with 100-185cm has finally hit its stride. Excellent conditions across the resort.
Hakuba Valley as a whole has transformed – Kurobashi at 240cm, Hakuba 47 at 190cm, Tsugaike summit at 196cm. This is what Hakuba should be.
Not Just Skiing
Remember, you don’t need to ski or snowboard to enjoy Japan’s winter resorts. Most major resorts offer:
- Snow play areas for kids
- Sledding and tubing
- Snowshoeing trails
- Onsen (hot springs) with snow views
- Snow festivals and winter illuminations
With the improved conditions across both Hokkaido and Honshu, there’s now plenty of powder everywhere for building snowmen, having snowball fights, and letting the kids experience proper winter magic.
Great news for families: Yuzawa Kogen’s snow play area, which was completely restricted just last week, is reopening tomorrow (Saturday 10th Jan) thanks to 50cm of new snow on the plateau. This is exactly the kind of turnaround we’ve been hoping for.
What I’m Watching
- Continued snowfall patterns – The taps are on and flowing nicely now
- International visitor numbers – Hakuba was absolutely packed with Aussies, Chinese, Americans, Brits, Russians, French… word is getting out
- Late January/February conditions – If this pattern continues, we’re in for an epic season
My Honest Take
What a turnaround! Last week I was genuinely worried about our Hakuba trip – base areas were thin, snow play looked questionable for our 5-year-old, and I was second-guessing the decision to go to Honshu instead of Hokkaido.
Then Mother Nature showed up.
We experienced 20-30cm of fresh snow falling in Hakuba on Thursday. It wasn’t the super dry champagne powder Japan’s famous for – it was heavier, wetter snow – but when you’ve been watching thin base areas for weeks, any fresh snow is welcome. And for a 5-year-old experiencing real winter? It was perfect. Our little one got to build snowmen taller than herself and have proper snowball fights (the wet snow actually made better snowballs!). The base areas that measured 60cm last week? Totally fine now with 84cm and fresh snow on top.
Hokkaido is still brilliant – Niseko at 270cm, Rusutsu’s 390-545cm total snowfall this season is absolutely world-class. If you’re heading there, you’re going to have a ripper time.
But here’s the big story: Honshu is no longer the consolation prize. Hakuba 47 at 190cm, Myoko at 200cm, Nozawa at 185cm – these are proper powder numbers. The international crowds flooding into Hakuba aren’t there by mistake – they’re there because the snow is finally here.
If you were holding off booking a Honshu trip because of the early season concerns, those concerns are gone. The snow is here, conditions are excellent, and we’re hitting peak season right now.
For families with young kids wondering about snow play – Yuzawa Kogen’s snow play area reopens tomorrow after being completely restricted just days ago. That tells you everything you need to know about how much things have improved.
The season we were worried about? It’s turned into a proper Japan powder season.
Keep Updated
Conditions improved dramatically this past week, but winter weather is always changing. Check resort websites for current snow depths and terrain status before you head out.
The good news: We’re now in peak season with excellent conditions across both Hokkaido and Honshu. The early season concerns? Gone. The snow is here, and it’s proper Japan powder.
Planning a winter trip to Japan? Check out my Winter in Japan hub for guides, packing lists, activity ideas, and everything you need for a snow-filled adventure – whether you’re skiing or just want the kids to experience their first snowman.
Want to see snow beyond the ski resorts? My guide to the best places to see snow in Japan covers alternatives like snow festivals, historic villages, and scenic winter spots.
Have you been to Japan for winter recently? The conditions this past week have been brilliant – I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Quick Reference: Current Snow Depths (9 Jan 2026)
| Resort | Snow Depth | Status | Change from Jan 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niseko (Hirafu) Peak | 270cm | Excellent | +30cm ⬆️ |
| Happo-One (Kurobashi) | 240cm | Excellent | +35cm ⬆️ |
| Myoko Akakura Onsen | 200cm | Incredible! | NEW 🎉 |
| Tsugaike Summit | 196cm | Excellent | +36cm ⬆️ |
| Hakuba 47 | 190cm | Excellent | +40cm ⬆️ |
| Nozawa Onsen | 100-185cm | Excellent | Much improved ⬆️ |
| Furano Summit | 180cm | Excellent | +35cm ⬆️ |
| Gala Yuzawa | 150cm | Good | +40cm ⬆️ |
| Shiga Kogen | 50-145cm | Variable | Improved ⬆️ |
| Yuzawa Kogen Plateau | 130cm | Good | +50cm ⬆️ |
| Niseko (Hirafu) Base | 105cm | Good | +25cm ⬆️ |
| Happo-One (Usagidaira) | 97cm | Good | +15cm ⬆️ |
| Furano Base | 90cm | Good | +15cm ⬆️ |
| Yeti (Mt Fuji) | 90cm | Decent | Stable |
| Tsugaike Village | 84cm | Decent | +24cm ⬆️ |
| Yuzawa Kogen Foothills | 70cm | Improving | – |
| Happo-One (Nakiyama) | 54cm | Improving | +9cm ⬆️ |
| Fujiten (Mt Fuji) | 50cm | Thin | Stable |
| Rusutsu (current depth) | 120-180cm | Excellent | Variable* |
*Rusutsu’s total seasonal snowfall: 390-545cm (absolutely incredible)
Bottom Line: Game changer! Honshu finally delivered with 35-50cm gains across major resorts. Both Hokkaido and Honshu now offering excellent conditions. International crowds flooding in. This is now proper Japan powder season across the board.