When Does Mt Yotei Get Its First Snow? 2 October in 2026, and When to See a White Summit with Autumn Leaves

Coming to Hokkaido in mid-October and hoping to see a white-topped Mt Yotei with the autumn leaves? Kutchan's 1990–2015 records put Yotei's average first snow on 2 October, and in 2026 it came on that same date (two days earlier than normal, according to the town), so by mid-October you're in the window where the summit can be white.

The catch is that first snow often melts within days, and the mountain flips between white and dark for a while before winter settles in. The leaves also work their way down the mountains over about a month, so if you want a white summit and coloured trees in the same frame, aim for mid to late October, when the foothills around Yotei turn. Which heights are at their best right now, and what order to see them in, is in Niseko Autumn Leaves 2026: Where Is the Colour Now? This piece is about the white on top: when it comes, how long it lasts, and where to see it from (checked 5 October 2026).

Yotei's first snow came on 2 October 2026. When does it usually come?

According to the Hokkaido Shimbun, Kutchan town recorded the first snow on Yotei (1,898m) on 2 October 2026, after cold air moved in. The paper quotes the town as saying that's seven days earlier than last year and two days earlier than normal (Hokkaido Shimbun). First snow (初冠雪, *hatsukansetsu*) means the first day the summit is seen white from below. In Kutchan's records, both the 1990–2005 weather station readings and the 2006–2015 town hall observations average out at 2 October. The earliest was 17 September 2014 and the latest 22 October 2004 (Kutchan Town, PDF). The article doesn't say which years its "normal" covers, so we've given you both.

For recent years, JA Yotei, the local farmers' co-op, posts the date every autumn (JA Yotei):

• 2025: 9 October
• 2024: 20 October (it melted almost at once and came back on 29 October)
• 2023: 8 October
• 2022: 5 October
• 2021: 7 October
• 2020: 6 October
• 2019: 19 September

If you come in mid-October, will the summit be white?

We counted 34 years by putting Kutchan's table (1990–2016) together with JA Yotei's dates (2019–2025); we couldn't find published records for 2017 and 2018. In 28 of those years, the first snow had come by 10 October, and by 15 October it was 32. So on a mid-October trip, the summit has most likely turned white at least once already.

That still doesn't mean it'll be white the day you arrive. As 2024 showed, the first snow can vanish quickly. The other problem is cloud: Kutchan averages 127.8 hours of sunshine in October, about four hours a day (JMA). Rather than locking in one day for Yotei, keep it flexible and go on the first morning you can see the top from where you're staying. That's how you're least likely to miss it.

Seeing the leaves and a white summit together

Niseko United's foliage guide lists Yotei at its best from late September to early October, Annupuri from early to mid-October, and Fukidashi Park in Kyogoku from mid to late October (Niseko United). The leaves that overlap with first-snow season are the low ones. If you're coming from Taiwan on one of October's long weekends, here's how the two play out (DGPA, Taiwan):

• National Day long weekend (9–11 October): the Annupuri gondola is still running until 12 October. See Yotei from above, and catch the start of the colour lower down
• Retrocession Day long weekend (24–26 October): the gondola has finished and the mountain roads are starting to close (in 2025 the Panorama Line closed for winter on 24 October / Niseko Tourism). Pair Yotei with the foothill leaves, such as Fukidashi Park

The colours can shift by a week or two from year to year. The week before you fly, check Niseko Autumn Leaves 2026 for which heights are at their best now, then pick the day and the spot for Yotei.

Four places to see Mt Yotei in autumn

Michi-no-eki Niseko View Plaza (Niseko town)

A roadside station where Route 5 meets the prefectural road, with a courtyard that looks straight at Yotei. The information plaza is open 9:00–18:00 all year, and the farmers' market runs 8:30–17:00 through October (Niseko Tourism). If you're driving, it's the easiest place to wait for the clouds to move.

Niseko Annupuri gondola

In autumn 2026 it runs daily from 3 to 12 October, 9:00–16:30 (last ride up 16:00), and that's the end of the season (Niseko Annupuri). It takes 10 minutes to reach 1,000m, with Yotei to the east and Lake Toya and Volcano Bay below. The round trip is ¥1,700 for adults and ¥850 for elementary school children (Niseko Annupuri).

Fukidashi Park (Kyogoku)

Spring water from Yotei comes up here, and it's one of Japan's "100 Famous Waters". The park's two car parks hold 186 cars in total, and the shop is open 9:00–17:00, closed Wednesdays (Kyogoku Town). The autumn trees and Yotei reflected in the pond come from the Niseko United guide above. Of all the places on Machinavi, it has the most Google Maps reviews; how we counted is in Niseko's Most Popular Places by Google Review Count Find it on the map at Fukidashi Park on Machinavi.

Hangetsu Lake Nature Park (Kutchan)

A crater lake at the foot of Yotei, about 15 minutes' walk from the car park. The valley side of the path crumbles easily, so hold the rope on the mountain side (Kutchan Town). You're too close to see the whole mountain, so treat this as an autumn forest walk. In 2025 the toilets closed for winter from 22 October.

Is Yotei's first snow the start of ski season?

It's a sign that winter is close, not that skiing is. In 2023, snow reached Yotei on 8 October, the Niseko ski runs on the 17th and town on the 22nd, working its way down over two weeks (Niseko United). Kutchan's snowfall normals are 2cm in total for October and 95cm for November, so October snow doesn't stay. Month-by-month snow is in When Does It Start Snowing in Niseko?

For 2026–27, all four resorts (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri) are scheduled to open on 28 November, and note that days and hours can change (Niseko United). I wouldn't change a ski booking because Yotei's first snow came early or late. It says nothing about how much snow December will bring.

Before you go in mid to late October

• Clothes: Kutchan's October normals are a high of 15.0°C and a low of 4.5°C. It's colder at the top of the gondola, so bring a windproof jacket
• Getting around: a car makes Yotei viewpoints far easier. For what you can reach without one, see Getting Around Niseko Without a Car
• Bears: Hokkaido's government advises avoiding early morning and dusk on trails and making noise as you walk, with a bell or similar (Hokkaido Government)
• Shops: some places cut their days before the winter opening, so check a restaurant on Machinavi or its social media before you go

FAQ

When does Mt Yotei usually get its first snow?

Kutchan's 1990–2015 records average 2 October. Recent dates were 9 October 2025, 20 October 2024 and 8 October 2023.

Has Mt Yotei had its first snow in 2026?

Yes. Kutchan town recorded it on 2 October 2026. According to the Hokkaido Shimbun, that's seven days earlier than last year and two days earlier than normal. First snow can melt, though, so check the summit in the morning on the day you go.

Can I see a white Yotei and autumn leaves together in mid-October?

There's a good chance. In 32 of the 34 years we could find records for, first snow had come by 15 October, and Fukidashi Park's leaves are at their best from mid to late October. Cloud can hide the summit, so leave room in your plans to go on a clear morning.

Does first snow mean the ski resorts are open?

No. For 2026–27, all four resorts are scheduled to open on 28 November. October snowfall averages about 2cm in total and doesn't settle.

Where is the best place to see Mt Yotei?

Michi-no-eki Niseko View Plaza is the easiest. For a view from above, take the Annupuri gondola (until 12 October in 2026). For leaves and Yotei together, go to Fukidashi Park in Kyogoku.

— Niseko Hub Editorial Team