Niseko (Hokkaido skiing) weather in November

November in Niseko: cold, rainy, with clean air — a good time to visit.

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Niseko🇯🇵 Japan · Hokkaido · Ski64
  1. 93Jan
  2. 91Feb
  3. 78Mar
  4. 46Apr
  5. 20May
  6. 18Jun
  7. 16Jul
  8. 11Aug
  9. 13Sep
  10. 27Oct
  11. 64Nov
  12. 85Dec

#5 of 12 months in Niseko · #977 of 1413 destinations to visit in November · comfort 64/100 (tier C)

Days
8°C
Nights
-1°C
Wet days
17
Sun
7.1 h
Humidity
82%
Daylight
10 h
Niseko, Japan
Photo: Matt Hardy · Pexels

Traveller notes on Niseko in November

Other months in Niseko

Niseko-forum threads on an April visit describe Niseko Village and Hanazono as genuinely closing early in the month, posters naming Annupuri and Hirafu as staying open considerably longer into early May instead. Regulars call snow genuinely slushy by early April, several posters naming more than half the lifts possibly shut with precipitation falling as rain once temperatures warm. Posters call the village genuinely quieter from mid-March, several regulars naming restaurants and bars closing for the season as a real sign of the shift. Regulars call basing at Grand Hirafu genuinely the smart move for a late-April trip, several threads naming this the reason to avoid areas that shut down earlier. Posters recommend checking exact lift status per area before an April trip, several regulars calling this standard given how much closing dates vary across Niseko's zones. The record: 11.4C days, 0.6C nights, an extraordinarily high 80.1mm across over 12 days and 79 percent humidity.
NisekoAprilRegular · April · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Niseko-forum threads on a May visit describe most major resorts as closing by early May, posters citing specific dates like May sixth for Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu and Annupuri, with Nakayama Toge sometimes extending to the tenth or later on weekends. Regulars call river canoeing and kayaking real alternatives once the lifts stop running, a genuine option for anyone still wanting an active trip. Posters recommend checking accommodation and dining options directly, several businesses shifting to reduced schedules once the resort closes for the season. Regulars call real layers still sensible for May evenings despite daytime warmth, mountain air here cooling fast after dark. Posters recommend combining a May stay with a wider Hokkaido itinerary rather than basing the trip around Niseko, activity options here considerably thinner than during ski season. The record: 18.3C days feeling like 18C, 6.9C nights, an extraordinarily high 84.3mm across over 12 days and 71 percent humidity.
NisekoMayRegular · May · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Niseko-forum threads on a June visit describe the higher peaks, Mount Yotei specifically, as still capable of holding a bit of white cover on the top early in the month, posters calling this a holdover from winter rather than anything fresh. Regulars call June through October broadly the strongest stretch for summer activity, rafting a real highlight given the meltwater still feeding the rivers. Posters describe the town as considerably quieter than winter, real space on trails and rivers crowded during peak resort season. Regulars call horseback riding, kayaking and farm tours reasonable additions for families visiting nearby Toya. Posters recommend real layers for cooler mornings, evenings at this elevation carrying a genuine chill. Regulars call the wider area worth the trip regardless of season, summer offering a different character. The record: 21.6C days feeling like 23C, 12.2C nights, an extraordinarily high 115.3mm across nearly 12 days and 84 percent humidity.
NisekoJuneRegular · June · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Niseko-forum threads on skiing in March describe conditions as genuinely still strong most years, a regular who worked six winters here recalling a consistently good base holding through the month with fresh powder arriving every few days some seasons. Posters call overnight readings still capable of dropping to negative double digits Celsius even as daytime temperatures edge toward single digits. Regulars describe a warmer stretch as capable of turning the snow heavy and slushy at lower elevations, the upper mountain generally staying in better shape longer. Posters recommend checking current conditions rather than assuming based on the calendar, March here swinging between blue-sky powder days and a wetter, warmer system. Regulars call the thinner March crowds a genuine upside over the January-February peak. The record: 4.8C days feeling like 1C, -4.9C nights, a notably high 34.3cm of fresh accumulation and 81 percent humidity.
NisekoMarchRegular · March · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

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Niseko climate normals — November

Daytime high8°C / 46°F🧥 cold
Nighttime low-1°C / 31°F
Feels like (high)5°C / 41°F
Sea temperature13°C / 55°F🥶 cold sea
Rainfall107 mm / 4.2 in🌧 rainy
Rainy days17 days
Humidity82%💦 very humid
Dew point0°C / 33°F
Sunshine7.1 h/day
Daylight9.8 h
Wind15 km/h / 10 mph
Snowfall19.8 cm / 7.8 in
Air quality (US AQI)37🍃 good

Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.

Crowds in Niseko in November

How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.

Shoulder seasonan ordinary month(estimated)

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Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for Niseko's weather

Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).

Fair weatherNiseko's weather peaks December–February, best around January.

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Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather

What's on in Niseko in November

Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.

  • Season

    Ski season

    28 Nov – 5 May · usually

    Niseko United usually opens at the end of November and Grand Hirafu runs into early May; the other three mountains close through April. January is the month the reputation is built on.

What's on around the world in November →

Nearby, and something's on

Within 300 km of Niseko — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.

Where is Niseko?

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Niseko in November — FAQ

Is November a good time to visit Niseko?
November in Niseko: cold, rainy, with clean air — a good time to visit. It ranks #5 of 12 months for Niseko on SeasonMap's comfort score (64/100).
What is the weather like in Niseko in November?
In November, Niseko averages a daily high of 7.7°C and a low of -0.7°C, with about 107 mm of rain over roughly 16.9 rainy days.
What is the air quality in Niseko in November?
Niseko has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 37 in November.
Does it snow in Niseko in November?
Niseko sees roughly 19.8 cm of snowfall in November.

Within 300 km: Sapporo's Autumn colour around 20 Sep – 5 Nov, and Furano's Ski season around 28 Nov – 5 May.