When to go · Checked Oct 2026 for 2026–27
When to ski Myoko Kogen
The short version
Late January to the end of February has the most snow. From late March the spring tickets make it cheaper, and Akakura Kanko and Arai run into May. Personally I'd suggest the first three weeks of February for a first trip, avoiding the 11 and 23 February holidays if you can, or mid-March for warmer days with snow still deep.
| Month | Mean temp | Max snow depth | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 8.5°C | 6 cm | 12 cm |
| December | 2.9°C | 88 cm | 220 cm |
| January | 0.0°C | 172 cm | 385 cm |
| February | 0.3°C | 192 cm | 291 cm |
| March | 3.4°C | 149 cm | 159 cm |
| April | 9.8°C | 43 cm | 18 cm |
| May | 15.6°C | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals for the Sekiyama weather station in Myoko city, at 350 m. That is about the height of Arai's base; the Akakura, Ikenotaira and Suginohara slopes sit higher and are usually colder. Max snow depth is the average of each month's deepest reading; snowfall is the monthly total.
November
8.5°C average · 6 cm average max snow depth · 12 cm snowfall
- No resort plans to open in November.
- Arai early-bird day tickets are on sale through ticket sites until 30 November 2026.
Too early. Use it to book.
December
2.9°C average · 88 cm average max snow depth · 220 cm snowfall
- Akakura Onsen plans to open 12 December; Akakura Kanko and Suginohara 19 December, all depending on snow.
- Arai's high-season Economy prices start 12 December.
- The Mt Myoko Shuttle from Haneda and Narita starts 19 December.
Good from the second half of the month if the snow comes on time.
January
0.0°C average · 172 cm average max snow depth · 385 cm snowfall
- The snowiest month: the highest average snowfall of the year.
- Japanese holidays: 1 January and Coming of Age Day, Monday 11 January 2027.
Peak powder, and the coldest days. Personally I'd pick the second half of the month.
February
0.3°C average · 192 cm average max snow depth · 291 cm snowfall
- The deepest average snow cover of the year.
- Holidays: Thursday 11 February and Tuesday 23 February 2027.
The safest month for deep snow with every resort open.
March
3.4°C average · 149 cm average max snow depth · 159 cm snowfall
- Akakura Kanko's spring ticket (adult day ¥4,000) starts 23 March; Arai's spring Economy price (¥5,500) starts 22 March.
- Holidays: 21 and 22 March 2027.
- The Mt Myoko Shuttle runs to 23 March. Suginohara plans to close 28 March and Akakura Onsen 31 March.
Plenty of snow, longer days and cheaper spring tickets late in the month.
April
9.8°C average · 43 cm average max snow depth · 18 cm snowfall
- Akakura Kanko and Arai keep going on spring prices; Seki Onsen ran to 5 May last season (2025–26).
- Golden Week starts with the 29 April holiday.
Spring skiing higher up. Cheap tickets, soft snow.
May
15.6°C average · 0 cm average max snow depth · 0 cm snowfall
- Akakura Kanko plans to close 5 May 2027, the last day of Golden Week (3–5 May). Arai's tickets run to 9 May.
A last spring day or two at the resorts still open.
Plan around it
Season dates and ticket prices for each resort are in the resort guide, from Akakura to Seki Onsen. For holiday weeks, book early and check getting here from Tokyo, since the airport shuttle only runs 19 December to 23 March.
Questions people actually ask
- What is the best month to ski Myoko?
- February for the deepest snow and every resort open, with late January a close second. In JMA's 1991–2020 normals for Sekiyama, in Myoko city, average maximum snow depth peaks at 192 cm in February.
- When do the Myoko resorts open for 2026–27?
- Planned dates: Akakura Onsen 12 December, Akakura Kanko and Suginohara 19 December, all depending on snow. Seki Onsen had not published dates when I checked.
- Which Myoko resorts are open latest?
- Akakura Kanko plans to run to 5 May 2027 and Arai's tickets are valid to 9 May. Seki Onsen ran to 5 May last season.
- Is March too late for Myoko?
- No. The Sekiyama station still averages 149 cm of maximum snow depth in March, and spring tickets start late in the month.
Checked Oct 2026 against: JMA normals, Sekiyama · Akakura Kanko 2026–27 · Akakura Onsen 2026–27 · Myoko Suginohara · Seki Onsen · Mt Myoko Shuttle 2026–27 · Cabinet Office public holidays. Arai prices as reported by Japan-Ski.com (see the Arai page). Snow varies a lot from year to year.