Suishozan
Small hill — the mellow heart of Kazuno pow
Small mountain, soft snow, zero stress
Suishozan sits above the town of Kazuno in northern Akita, a tidy little north-facing bowl carved into cedar forest. It’s the place locals bring their kids, high-school race clubs tune edges, and die-hard pow chasers sneak in a couple of low-key storm turns before ramen. If you’re chasing mega vert, this isn’t your ticket. If you want a mellow day with friendly lifties, a quiet car park, and some legitimately tasty snow when it’s on, Suishozan delivers.
This hill has history. It used to be larger, but the modern incarnation is a single vintage two-seater working a compact set of groomed lines plus a few low-angle glades. The pitches are blue-to-dark-blue at most — great for carving, teaching friends, or hand-dragging butters when it’s soft. On cold Tohoku nights the surface sets up chalky and fast; after a refresh, the corduroy takes on that velvety bite you only get up north.
It’s priced for locals, not destination tourists. Lift tickets are cheap by Japan standards, parking’s free, and the cafeteria serves hearty, unpretentious fuel. English is limited around town and on mountain signage, but the vibe is welcoming and uncomplicated. If you can point at a menu and smile, you’re golden.
Suishozan shines on weekdays and storm evenings. Weekends see the town roll out, but “busy” still means you’re sharing with school groups and families, not tour buses. Pair it with bigger neighbors for a Tohoku road trip — wake up here, rip a few soft turns, then bounce to Ani, Appi, or Hachimantai when the skies clear.
Resort Stats
- Vertical211m (476m → 265m)
- Snowfall~4m
- Terrain 60% 35% 5%
- Tree Riding
- Lift Pass$22
- Lifts1 × fixed-grip double chair
- Crowds
- Out of BoundsNot allowed
- Night Skiing
- Family Friendly
- Trails5
- Skiable Area~20ha
- VibeCheap, mellow, zero hassle
Powder & Terrain
When the north-facing bowl fills in, the snow rides soft and forgiving — perfect for playing with edge angles, switch carves, or dialing in a new board. The single double chair spins at a leisurely pace, but there’s practically never a queue. Groomers are the main course, with side hits along the tree edges and the occasional playful pocket after a storm. Don’t expect steep chutes or big treed pitches; do expect a quietly satisfying half-day that feels like you borrowed a private resort.
Who's it for?
Riders who appreciate simple pleasures — clean groomers, soft snow, kind prices — and don’t need a mega-mountain to be happy. Great for upper-intermediates polishing technique, parents teaching kids, and powder hunters who love a stealthy storm session before heading to a larger hill. If you require long, sustained steeps, a web of fast lifts, or extensive tree zones, you’ll be under-stimulated.
Accommodation
Suishozan has no base hotels, so you’ll shack up in Kazuno or in nearby onsen towns. Oyu Onsen is the classic choice — an easy drive from the hill — with a couple of ryokan-style properties where you can soak, feast on kaiseki, and crash hard. It’s proper small-town Tohoku: quiet streets, big baths, and staff who’ll treat you like family.
For a slightly livelier hot-spring scene, Yuze Onsen sits in a pretty river valley a short drive away. Lodgings range from classic ryokans to larger hotels; rooms often come with mountain views and long onsen hours. You’ll trade nightlife for nature — think steamy outdoor baths and the hush of snow-blanketed forests.
Traveling on a budget or rolling solo? Kazuno has straightforward business hotels around Hanawa Station that keep costs down and logistics easy. Expect clean rooms, coin-op laundry, convenience stores nearby, and a quick hop to Suishozan in the morning. Nightlife is minimal, but a hearty izakaya dinner, hot bath, and early start pair perfectly with this hill’s rhythm.
Food & Après
On-mountain eats are simple fuel — curry rice, katsu, ramen — exactly what you want between carving runs and sneaky powder pockets. In town, look for cozy izakaya near Kazuno-Hanawa Station for skewers, nabe, and cold beer. The onsen hotels in Oyu and Yuze typically include generous breakfast and dinner spreads — if you’re staying there, that’s your best bet. Après here is less “shots and DJs” and more “soak, slurp, sleep.”
Getting There
- Closest airport: Odate-Noshiro (ONJ), about 35–40 km from Kazuno. Aomori (AOJ) and Akita (AXT) are the next-best options.
- Train: JR Hanawa Line to Kazuno-Hanawa Station; short taxi to the hill.
- Drive: Tohoku Expressway → Kazuno-Hachimantai IC, then ~15 minutes on local roads.
- Winter driving: Roads are plowed but can glaze over fast — snow tires are essential, chains advisable after frontal passages. Parking at the ski area is free.
Japow Travel Tips
- Lift hours: Typically 09:00–16:00; night skiing 16:00–21:00 on select Fridays and Saturdays mid-season. Expect a weekly closed day in peak winter — check the current calendar.
- Backcountry & OB: No gate system; ducking ropes risks patrol action and small-mountain hazards. Keep it inbounds.
- Weather rhythm: North-facing aspect helps snow quality; snowfall is modest compared with coastal Tohoku giants, so storm timing matters.
- Language: Limited English on mountain and around town. Be ready to point, smile, and enjoy real Tohoku hospitality.
- Pairing resorts: Suishozan plus Ani, Appi, or Hachimantai makes a great Akita/Iwate sampler.
Verdict: The gentle soul of a Tohoku road trip
Suishozan won’t blow the doors off your quads, but it will put a grin on your face. It’s the definition of “worth a half-day”: friendly staff, silky snow when storms roll through, and prices that make you wonder why you ever paid big-mountain rates. Roll in, rip some cruisers, sniff out a soft stash, then point the car toward your next mission — this hill is the warm-up act that sets the tone for a stellar Japow week.