Ski areas from Japan’s past 過去の日本のスキー場を懐かしむ

Himekayu

Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture

ひめかゆスキー場　岩手県奥州市

Himekayu was a ski area in the western region of Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture. It was one of three ski areas in the city, the others being Koeji and Kunimidaira. In 2023, only Kunimidaira remains operating. Himekayu had two ski lifts. The lifts and facilities remain in place in 2023.

Opened
開設		 Unconfirmed
Closed
 閉設		 2021
Base elevation
標高最低		 306m
Top elevation
標高最高		 486m
Vertical
標高差		 180m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 33°
Number of courses
コース本数		 6
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 1,430m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 50% beginner
30% intermediate
20% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 Unconfirmed
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 2 lifts
Pair 　
Pair 　
The lifts remain in place
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was no night skiing at Himekayu

Further Information

  • Himekayu is a ski area in the western region of Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture
    　
  • It is not clear when it opened, but it was after 1977, as it was not visible in an aerial photograph from that year
    　
  • Himekayu has two pair lifts
    　
  • The main upper section of the ski area is not visible from the road
    　
  • The snow in one section of an upper run was left ungroomed
    　
  • Even when it was operating, there was not much information available about this ski area
    　
  • In recent years, the city has been pondering what to do with its three ski areas - Himekayu, Koeji Ski Area 越路スキー場 and Kunimidaira Ski Area 国見平スキー場
    　
  • It was decided that both Himekayu and Koeji would be closed, leaving just Kunimidaira open during the 2022-2023 season
    　
  • The city later announced that Himekayu would not be open for the 2021-2022 season and be closing
    　
  • Himekayu was last open on 28th February 2021
    　
  • Its official status in 2023 is the somewhat vague 休止 which implies that it is 'temporarily closed'
    　
  • Perhaps there is hope of a re-opening, though unfortunately, many ski areas that enter that status never get to re-open
    　
  • The Yakeishikan やけいし館 onsen hot spring facility at the base of the ski area has also been closed since August 2021
    　
  • Information on Koeji Ski Area can be found on SnowJapanHistory
    　
  • Information on Kunimidaira Ski Area can be found on SnowJapan.com
    　

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

  • Just off Route 397 in the western region of Oshu City, close to Isawa Dam

  • About 17km from the Oshu Smart IC exit of the Tohoku Expressway

  • About 19km from Mizusawa Station on the Tohoku line

  • 東北自動車道　奥州スマートICから的17km

  • 東北本線　水沢駅から的19km

This page was created in June 2023
Last updated on 30th August 2023
2022年6月 作成　2023年8月30日 更新