Suisho-zan (lit. crystal mountain) lies along the borders of Tendo and Higashine Cities and is a popular destination for those wanting an easy stroll. Suisho-zan has been an object of worship since ancient times, known for worshipping Raijin, the Kami of Thunder from where the name is said to derive. At the same time, the name is said to come from the idea that crystals could be found at the summit. Suisho Jinja at the summit and other historic relics still remain on the mountain.

There are two trails up Suisho-zan, the Kawarago and Kanosawa Trails. Both trails are linked with a path that takes 30 minutes to walk, meaning it’s possible to do a loop.

Kawarago Trail up Suisho-zan (1 hour to 90 minutes one-way)

The Kawarago Trail starts in Tendo City. There is a toilet at the carpark near the trailhead. However if you keep going, you can drive all the way to the Rokkakudo Hall, which is usually a 20 minute walk. The path is well maintained, so is great even for beginners. From the lookout partway up the mountain, you can see the Yamagata basin, Gassan, and the Asahi Renpo. Once past the lookout and the ‘landslides’ sign, the trail smooths out, and behind Suishozan Jinja. There lies the Oku-no-in (inner sanctuary) made out of stone, and the summit marker.

Inosawa Trail (One hour one-way)

The Inosawa Trail starts in Higashine City. The trailhead lies at the small shrine once you pass through the Tatehata hamlet. The Inosawa Trail is much more precarious than the Kawarago Trail, but along the way there are the giant Tengu-iwa and Kagura-iwa rocks. From the Tengu-iwa rock, there is a lookout with a view of Suisho-zan. The trail from the Kagura-iwa rock is steep and covered in rocks. Be careful when it rains as the trail can be very slippery.

Places Nearby Worth Visiting

Omoshiro-yama

The Mountain of Intrigue: Omoshiro-yama (面白山おもしろやま) is a 1264m (4146 ft.) peak in the Murayama region of Yamagata prefecture. Omoshiro-yama has boasts breathtaking autumn views, waterfalls, mountain streams, and more. Best hiked from May to mid-November, Omoshiro-yama is a level 2 in terms of physical demand. This means it is relatively easy to hike. The mountain also has an A technical grade, which means it requires little expertise. Allow at least 2 hours one-way for a hike up Omoshiro-yama.

Maizuru-yama

The mountain castle of Maizuru-yama (舞鶴山まいづるやま) is a 242m (793. ft.) peak in the Murayama region of Yamagata. Maizuru-yama is a popular destination for locals of Tendo City who flock to the mountain for the annual human chess battle during the Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival). Best climbed from April to November, you want to allow at least 1 hour one-way for a hike up Maizuru-yama.

Rainmaker Mountain: Amayobari-yama

Amayobari-yama (雨呼山あまよばりやま) is a former Shugendo peak known for its magical ability to make rain fall. The mountain is a 906m (2972 ft.) peak in the Murayama region of Yamagata prefecture. Amayobari-yama is best climbed from May to mid-November. It is a level 1 in terms of physical demand, which means it is easy to hike. The mountain has an A technical grade, which means it requires little expertise. Allow at least 90 minutes one-way hours for a hike up Amayobari-yama.