Japan Weekly Snow Roundup #306
Weekly Snow News for Asia, updated 19 March 2026: Hokkaido remains sub-zero with consistent snowfall, while Honshu turns milder with mixed snow, sleet and rain.
- Hokkaido stays sub-zero with regular snowfall and dry snow quality
- Honshu turns milder with mixed precipitation at lower elevations
- Strong base depths maintained across major Japanese resorts
- Classic spring conditions developing across central Honshu
Japan Snow Report
Japan continues its mixed mid-March pattern, with Hokkaido staying consistently wintry while Honshu has remained milder, especially at lower elevations. Across Hokkaido, temperatures remain firmly sub-zero on upper slopes, keeping snow quality dry and chalky. Niseko (200/300 cm / 80/120”) has seen mountain temperatures between –13°C and –4°C, with light snow or flurries most days and only brief breaks of sunshine.
Nearby Rusutsu (180/260 cm / 72/104”) follows a similar trend, with cold nights and occasional top-ups maintaining excellent cover. Furano (150/220 cm / 60/88”) also stays cold, although base elevations have been seeing positive temperatures during the afternoons.
On Honshu, the pattern is more variable. Shiga Kogen (150/250 cm / 60/100”) remains the coldest major area, with –13°C to –2°C on upper slopes and a mix of cloud, light snow and occasional brighter spells.
Nozawa Onsen (120/200 cm / 48/80”) and Hakuba Happo-One (110/200 cm / 44/80”) are turning milder, with freezing levels rising above mid-mountain at times, bringing a mix of wet snow or rain to lower slopes and firmer conditions higher up.
Overall, Hokkaido offers the most reliable spring snow conditions, while Honshu delivers a classic spring blend of wintry upper slopes and softer lower-mountain conditions.
Japan Snow Forecast
Classic late-season conditions continue. Hokkaido stays cold and mostly dry, with resorts such as Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano holding sub-zero summit temperatures and only light cloud, keeping the snowpack firm and wintry.
Honshu turns milder, especially across Nagano and Niigata, where base temperatures climb well above freezing and afternoons soften quickly under brighter spells. Higher elevations at resorts like Shiga Kogen, Hakuba and Zao remain cooler, although still trending warmer through the week.
Overall, colder conditions persist in the north, with increasingly spring-like skiing across central Honshu.
