Why Spring Is The Golden Season In Japan

From sun and snowfall to sakura and strawberries, these ski enthusiasts discover why spring is the golden season in Japan.

- Leanda Rathmell

It’s 1 Aprilin Hokkaido’s Akaigawa Village, and the first light of the month sneaks through the gap in our window. A crisp breeze wakes me from my slumber. Eager to start the day, I hop to life and fling the curtains open; the skies are clear, the birds are chirping and the branches are budding – spring has arrived.

But, hold on a second; the rooftops have a new layer of icing and there’s a fresh foot of snow carpeting the hotel grounds. As my eyes adjust to the glare and study the horizon, I spot several specks of bright colours carving “S” shapes in the mountainside.

“Yesss!” I shout as I pounce around Martin on the bed – he’s still half asleep under the duvet. “Get up – it’s go-time!”

Winter may be on its way out, but there’s still plenty of snow to conquer here.

Japow!

The ski season in Japan generally runs from mid- December through to the end of March, with visitors flocking from all corners of the globe. Considered the Holy Grail for powder snow, Hokkaido is hit by seasonal winds from Siberia that carry a constant supply of moisture across seas, releasing it as heavy snowfall that’s dry and pillow-like in structure. For skiers and snowboarders, “pow” is the sweetest kind of snow: fun, fluffy and forgiving on your backside! It makes for ideal conditions for every skill level, from nervous novice to speed-hungry snowboarder. Couple that with the renowned Japanese hospitality, epic food and heavenly onsen, and it’s no wonder the popularity of skiing in this country continues to grow exponentially.