Skiing in Japan in March
To make the most of your trip, especially if it's your first time in Japan, I recommend you ski in Niseko, Nozawa Onsen, Furano, Hakuba, and our newly-launched resorts Madarao, Shiga Kogen and Naeba, and end with a visit to Tokyo or Kyoto for a 'powsational' ski and city holiday. You'll get the full experience, including volcanic views, relaxing onsen, captivating culture and famous cuisine - as well as amazing skiing of course!
Here's what you can expect...
Snow
January and February deliver almost daily powder in Japan, and it's easy to understand why they're such popular months to visit. Of course, heavy snowfall does mean that visibility can be low and at times, daunting, especially for those who want to improve their powder skills or off-piste.
In March you can have the best of both worlds. In Niseko, the first week averages 5.5 days of snowfall, week two 4.6 days, and weeks three and four average 4.3. That's still a considerable amount, but you're far more likely to enjoy the deep powder with some crystal-clear bluebird days added to the mix as well.
March is often when the snowpack is at its deepest after months of heavy snowfall and low temperatures - Niseko averages a whopping 12-15 metres of snowfall at mid-mountain in recent years and can get close to 20 metres at the top - so even when the snow isn't falling, the slopes stay in great condition and have an ideal base for the snowier days.
To put all this into context, in March 2026 as part of a 'new resorts' research trip, we had glorious sunshine, powder and fresh corduroy all in one trip to Honshu, visiting Naeba, Madaro and the mighty Shiga Kogen, which is known for keeping snow from November through to May and due to its higher altitude.
Because most people choose to visit in January and February, by March the mountains are far quieter, with a higher percentage of beginners on the slopes. That means no lift queues once you're out of the base area and far more powder to go around. I've been able to find untracked runs in the trees days after the last snowfall.
Exploration
While the skiing is still fantastic at Japan's best resorts, the start of spring brings milder temperatures elsewhere that make March the perfect time to explore more of Japan and immerse yourself in a country of rich traditions, history and cuisine.
Temperatures in Tokyo and Kyoto approach an average of just under 10°C, up from 5°C in January, making those strolls around the city more bearable, and as March progresses you may be lucky enough to catch a famous cherry blossom bloom on your travels.
Our multi-destination ski safaris in Japan are incredibly popular options for March visitors and, with prices starting from £2,995pp for 12-night trip away, also offer fantastic value.
Value
March is considered low season by the hotels in Japanese resorts so you'll find incredibly good value at this time of year. Availability is not an issue and it's a great opportunity to enjoy a longer stay and fully explore the ski areas.
Our customers who travelled to Japan in March 2026 spent an average of £350pp less compared to those who travelled in January and February. Plus, if you travel to Niseko, you can save on your skiing by buying a late-season spring lift pass - in 2027, you could save nearly £150 on a 7-day lift pass if you ski after 23 March.
Relaxation
No visit to Japan is complete unless you fully immerse yourself in the world of traditional Japanese onsen. This is hot tubbing on another level entirely and very much part of Japanese culture.
Most of the hotels we offer in Japan have these on-site and there are many public onsens in and around the resorts too. There is simply no better way to soothe aching muscles and joints after a powder and sunshine-filled day on the mountain.
It's worth noting that you're expected to bathe 'au natural' (onsen are separate for men and women). You soon get used to it, but we can advise on where to find a private onsen if you prefer.
Cuisine
I am often asked what to expect from the food and drink in Japan and, while traditional Japanese fare can be found in abundance, it's not all sushi, katsu and ramen. In Niseko, the most Westernised resort in Japan, you'll find everything from burgers and pizza to fine dining tasting menus. In Nozawa Onsen, I highly recommend the Japanese Breakfast at Hardings Café in Kawamotoya, a fantastic place to stay serving some of the best Western & Japanese breakfasts imaginable.
As far as more traditional dishes go (especially in Tokyo), less-Western restaurants tend to have pictures of the food - or even plastic versions, see below! - so you can always point at something you like the look of to overcome the language barrier. In Hakuba, there’s a wide range of bars and restaurants in Happo, which has a slightly more modern and Western feel than Nozawa Onsen. The restaurants do get busy, so we recommend making a few reservations which you can do through your accommodation before your stay.
Naeba, one of our new resorts for 2026/27, provides a wonderful culinary surprise. It doesn't have the resort base of Niseko, Hakuba or Furano, but the 4* Naeba Prince Hotel does have over 25 superb dining options, from traditional to western and everything in between.
The hotel restaurants at another of our new resorts, Shiga Kogen, are also amazing; think gourmet buffet-style cuisine offering huge variety, as is the case with Rusutsu's Resort Hotel. Don't be put off by the idea of a buffet, Japanese buffets are a far cry from the beige masterclasses of the UK, they really are superior.
My top tip for trying something new is to visit an izakaya - a bit like a cross between a pub and a tapas bar. Enjoy a few local beers whilst snacking on plates of yakitori and karaage, seated on tatami mats around low tables, a civilised way to après! There are a few dotted around Niseko - keep an eye out for the red lanterns outside.
Talking of après, there are many options in all of the resorts but one to mention would be the six-litre beer towers at Hanazono EDGE! After a day of hard skiing and riding nothing beats a six-litre refreshment!
If you like a vending machine, you will be in your element in Japan. In nearly every hotel and on most street corners you'll find machines selling hot and cold coffee in a can, pot noodles, ramen bowls, beer and Japanese items too weird and wonderful to decipher.
Accommodation
Japan has some first-rate traditional and modern accommodation options and these are my top picks for March.
The 3*+ Always Niseko provides exceptional value in a tranquil location on the outskirts of Hirafu. The hotel operates a private shuttle to the lifts and into Hirafu itself, or it's a quick 10-minute walk. If you want to be in the heart of the action in Niseko, the award-winning Ki Niseko is my top pick. Not only does it offer superb value for money in March, but it's slope side with shared and private onsen, breakfast, and is directly across from the resort's flagship Rhythm Rental store.
We have also added a range of premium hotels in our programme, including the award-winning 5* Setsu Niseko (Best New Ski Hotel 2023 at the World Ski Awards), the spectacular ski-in ski-out 4*+ Fenix Furano, 5* The Vale Rusutsu with its unbeatable apartment views, the 4*+ Kawamotoya in Nozawa Onsen for the pure comfort and delicious breakfast, and last but not least the ultra-cool 5* The Happo in Hakuba.
In our new resorts check out the ski-in, ski-out 4* Naeba Prince Hotel, the 4* Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel with a fantastic on-site rental shop, the slope-side entrance of the 3* Madarao Kogen, and 3* Hotel Tangram with natural onsen, sauna and a swimming pool.
City & culture
Travelling to Japan also provides the opportunity to experience city culture, and there is nowhere better than a 24-hour stopover in Tokyo.
Whilst Tokyo is one of the world's largest cities, most of the things you see on TV or have read about can be experienced within 24 hours. It's best to add a night at the end of your trip for the best chance of good weather, and even a chance to see the famous cherry blossom bloom if you visit in late March!
I highly recommend a stay in the Shinjuku District, where you can do a three to four-hour walk to experience Shinjuku Central Park, Golden Gai (incredibly tiny backstreet bars), Shibuya Crossing and Takeshita Street - very much Japan’s version of Carnaby Street, selling the latest in cat print socks and t-shirts and other essential items.
As part of this walk, you also get to experience many of the stunning parks and city forests with their monuments, including the Meiji Shrine, where you will see more than 200 traditional sake barrels, donated to the shrine by famous breweries in a sacred offering to Emperor Meiji.
I did this myself back in March 2017, December 2022, March 2023 and 2026, and absolutely loved the pace of Tokyo. Find out more in our Tokyo in 24 Hours blog.
How much?
Our March Japan Ski Safaris start from £2,995pp and include skiing in Niseko alongside city breaks, return flights and transfers.
See our Japan ski packages & offers for a range of accommodation and date options.
Why book with Ski Safari?
- Our knowledge - we've been skiing and selling ski holidays in Japan since 2008, and we return most winters to top up our knowledge. Between us, we've skied countless times in each resort, and have visited or stayed in every accommodation. We're here to help using our extensive first-hand experience.
- Our service - we create every holiday from scratch. This means that the quotation you receive is unique, based on your holiday preferences. Call us, and you can speak to the same person every time. We'll always be on hand to support every little detail and answer any questions, no matter how big or small!
- Our value - since 1996, our core values have stayed the same: we give meaningful advice and deliver a truly personal service that always puts you first. Our strong relationships with suppliers mean that we're often cheaper than you might expect. Tailor-made service doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag.
- Our happy customers - we regularly receive positive feedback from our happy customers, many of whom return year after year, and we're proud of our 4.9/5 rating on Feefo. We've also won Best Small Travel Company for Ski/Winter Sports Holidays in the British Travel Awards 2019-2025.
For more information or to book, request a quotation online or call 01273 224060. All of our holidays are tailor-made to create your perfect itinerary.
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