Zao Okama crater lake
©AFLO
The Okama is a crater lake with a circumference of 1,000m and a depth of 27m. It is also known as “Goshikinuma” (lake of five colors) for the changes in the colors of the water surface from the intensity of light. Okama is a popular sightseeing spot that is representative of Zao. Visitors can enjoy the sight of alpine plants in summer, and views of red autumn foliage from September to November. When the roads are opened around the end of April, the snow forms walls above 10m high close to the sides of the road leading to the mountain top.
View scenic routes that include this spot
HAVE REAL × IMAGINATION
More Information about Zao Okama crater lake
Street address
- Kuraishidake Kokuyuchinai, Togatta Onsen, Zao-machi, Katta-gun, Miyagi
Access
Route1
- [From Yamagata Station]
Take the train to JR Kaminoya-Onsen Station and take a free shuttle bus for 60 min.
Get off at the katta parking area and take the Zao-Katta ski lift for approx. 8 min to the top.
Then a 6 min. walk.
- [From Yamagata Station]
Route2
- [From Sendai Station]
Take the train to JR Shiroishi-Zao Station and take a bus for approx. 1 hour and 35 to 40 minutes to "Zao-Katta Sancho" (2 buses a day).
Then a 5-min. walk.
※From late Apr. to early Nov., the bus only runs on weekends and holidays
- [From Sendai Station]
Opening Hours
- From sunrise to sunset
Closed
- Early Nov. to late Apr.
Best season
- May, Jun., Jul., Aug., Sep., Oct.
Point
- Since the area is closed for the winter from early Nov. to late Apr., the crater can't be seen.
update: Sep.9.2025

Spots around
-

Kokubuncho Yokocho (Alleyways of Kokubuncho District)
-

Discovery Center
-

Zao Fox Village
-

Sendai 3/11 Memorial Community Center
-

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine
-

Akiu Onsenkyo Hot Springs (Akiu Otaki Falls, Rairai-kyo Gorge)
-

Sagakei Gorge
-

Accommodation in Oku-Matsushima
-

Shiroishi Castle / Sumaru Yashiki (House)
-

Jozenji-dori Ave.
-

Ishinomori Manga Museum
-

Urakasumi Sake Brewery
-

Sushitetsu
-

Rinno-ji Temple
-

Otaka-Mori
-

Sendai Daikannon
-

Matsushima Islands Area
-

Kataribe taxi
-

Sendai City Museum
-

Naruko Onsen Hot Springs
-

Zuihoden Mausoleum
-

Akiu Kogei no Sato (Akiu Craft Park)
-

Sendai Mediatheque
-

Matsushima Islands Area
-

GREAT DANE BREWING
-

The Nikka Whisky Sendai Miyagikyo Distillery
-

Yunushi Ichijo Ryokan
-

Yajiro Kokeshi Village
-

Ruins of the Great
East Japan Earthquake:
Sendai Arahama Elementary
School -

Sendai Station
-

Shiogama Shrine/Shiwahiko Shrine
-

Kirin Brewery Sendai
-

Naruko-kyo Gorge
-

Bar hopping in Iroha Yokocho
-

Site of Sendai Castle
-

Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets
-

Matsushima Sightseeing Cruise
-

Abe Kamaboko-ten Main Store - Specialists in Kamaboko (steamed seasoned fish paste)
-

Yamadera(Risshaku-ji Temple)
-

SENDAI Tourist Information Desk
-

Loople Sendai
-

Downtown Sendai City
-

Miyagi Zao Tour of Juhyo, Ice Monster
-

Sendai Station
-

Oshu Kaido Street Umen Bansho (Shiroishi Umen)
-

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium/Mitsui Outlet Park
-

Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market
-

Tsukihama Public Beach (Fishing Experience)
-

Johgi Nyorai
-

Hitome Senbonzakura (1,000 Sakura trees at a glance)





About MIYAGI 





