Oh well.
How long was your last trip to Japan?
I've only skied in Japan once. It was only 5 (or 6 days), I forgot. It's been a while...
But I have family in Asia and Australia. So I've gone to Japan several times. Just not always involves downhill skiing.
On that one particular skiing trip, I was living in Asia for about 3 months. I picked a 1-week window with weather forecast already known. And my flight was only something like $2~300. It was more like jumping on a plane to go from the coast to the Rockies on a long weekend kind of trip.
In fact, I was in Asia early this winter too. I even have my downhill boots with me. But as the early season snow record was rather subpar compare to typical years, I decided to pass on that, hit the beach in Australia instead.
I don't know, if I were to go to Japan strictly to ski, I'd give myself a full 2 weeks, of skiing days. (Granted, that won't guarantee powder on a season like this one. Still...)