Sukayu is situated on Mt. Hakkoda in Aomori Prefecture and is recognized as the snowiest place in Japan that is accessible by car year-round.
During winter, the northwest monsoon, which originates from Eurasia, gathers significant moisture while crossing the Sea of Japan. It then hits Mt. Hakkoda, resulting in substantial snowfall.
Sukayu has received a lot of snow this year; the snow depth reached 415 cm (163 in) that day.
This drive takes you from Aomori Station in Central Aomori to Sukayu Hot Spring (alt. 890 m) and then down to Kuroishi City, located west of Sukayu.
The snow wall grows higher as we approach Sukayu.
Google Maps route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pKTVLzUJCp57NmhM7
Other Drives to Sukayu
Sukayu in 2023
https://youtu.be/5AejWPsef48
Sukayu to Kuroishi under heavy snowfall in 2022
https://youtu.be/xid8X2tSLfg
Aomori to Sukayu in 2022
https://youtu.be/6pvgV1d31uE
Sukayu drive with 330cm snow depth in 2020
https://youtu.be/DpH_paVtaEI
00:00 Central Aomori to Route 7 JCT
10:54 Route 7 JCT to Kayano Kogen Highland
29:56 Kayano Kogen Highland to Branch to Hakkoda Ropeway Station
37:10 Branch to Hakkoda Ropeway Station to Route 394 JCT
42:58 Route 394 JCT to Sukayu Hot Spring
45:40 Sukayu
47:02 Sukayu Hot Spring to Jogakura Bridge
52:08 Jogakura Bridge to Route 102 JCT
1:14:33 Route 102 JCT to Kuroishi IC, Tohoku EXPWY
1:22:40 Kuroishi IC to Tsugaru SA
Date: Jan 19, 2025
Camera: GH7
Music: Swans In Flight - Asher Fulero from YouTube Audio Library