Spring Ski Escape: An 18-Day Road Trip to Japan’s Late-Open Resorts

Kicking things off, you can pick up your campervan rental somewhere Tokyo adjacent like Chiba and grab any supplies you’ll need. We advise leaving Chiba early and leaving the urban sprawl behind for something more scenic.

After a few hours of driving up gorgeous mountain roads, you’ll find yourself in Niigata. Known for its bountiful rice fields, wide-carved valleys and towering peaks that should still be capped in white.

Your destination is Kagura Ski Resort, one of Japan’s most reliable late-season resorts. Often open until mid May, Kagura is famous for its broad terrain and forgiving spring snow. Mornings are crisp and fast; afternoons soften into playful, surfy turns. When the legs need a break, local onsen and quiet mountain lodges make it easy to slow the pace.

From Niigata, head south into Nagano, where elevation becomes your ally when finding pristine slopes. The drive alone is worth the journey, with winding roads, lingering snowbanks, and views that stretch across the striking Japanese Alps.

Shiga Kogen sits high enough to defy spring, with multiple areas often operating into the beginning of May. This is classic alpine cruising: long runs, quiet lifts, and sunlit lunches on open terraces.

In the afternoons, detour to Jigokudani to see the snow monkeys enjoying the tail end of their own winter, or explore the retro mountain villages scattered throughout the region. If going to visit the snow monkeys, use parking at Kanbayashi Onsen as the road to the park is narrow and cannot accommodate larger vehicles.

Not every stop needs skis, and Toyama provides one of the most memorable non-ski experiences of this trip. From Nagano, cross into Toyama and time your visit with the opening of the Tateyama Alpine Route. Beware as this route is only open from the middle of April to November, and is accessed by public transportation only. Nearby parking lots are available.

Walking between towering snow walls that are sometimes over fifteen metres high feels surreal under a spring sky. It’s a powerful reminder of how much winter still dominates the high mountains, even as coastal regions warm rapidly.

After spending a bit of time exploring this beautiful pocket of Japan, you can settle down for the evening. Spend the night nearby and enjoy Toyama’s famously fresh seafood before continuing north.

Next up, you’ll want to head along the Sea of Japan coast before turning inland toward Yamagata, home to one of Japan’s most legendary spring ski areas.

Mount Gassan is best known for its late-season skiing. Opening in April and often lasting into early summer, Gassan offers wide, natural terrain and a uniquely relaxed atmosphere. Skiers and snowboarders share the slopes with hikers, all drawn by the novelty of snow in a season defined elsewhere by blossoms.

Evenings here are quiet and deeply rooted in the local community. Take the time to soak this up by enjoying simple meals, remote onsen, and stars unobscured by city lights.

Push north into Aomori, where winter always seems reluctant to leave. The Hakkoda Mountains deliver dramatic spring skiing accessed by ropeway, with volcanic terrain and expansive views across northern Honshu. These mountains are praised as a powder ski and snowboarding paradise in Japan, so expect some incredible slopes.

Conditions can change quickly this time of year, which only adds to the excitement. As you’ll be travelling via RV, you should be fine to handle the elements. With that said, it’s always wise to check the weather reports. Even a short ski day here feels special, with snow clinging on while greenery creeps steadily up the lower slopes.

After 12 days of adventuring across some of Japan’s best ski resorts, it’s time to start heading back to Chiba. Turn south and begin the return journey through the heart of Tohoku, stopping in Fukushima. While most resorts are likely closed by now, higher elevations around Mount Bandai often still hold snow in early May.

Here, you can base yourself in Aizu-Wakamatsu, where samurai history, quiet canals, and mountain views create a fitting contrast to the open alpine spaces you’ve been chasing.

With the last leg of your trip, it’s a good time to reflect on your incredible journey. The snow gradually disappears as you approach Chiba, replaced by green valleys and warm air. Your gear is worn, your legs tired, but you’ve followed winter farther than most people ever consider.

Check out some of our recommended Itinerary here:

• See Our 2-Week Spring Flower Road Trip in Japan
• See Our From Sea to Summit: RV Routes Linking Japan’s Beaches and Mountains
• See Our Autumn Leaves Spectacular: Best RV Routes for Fall Foliage

Looking for more? Find a huge range of different routes and road trip itineraries across Japan.