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 × IMAGINATIONMore 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.
Website
- http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english
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.
Spots around
-
Kirin Brewery Sendai
-
Sendai City Museum
-
Downtown Sendai City
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Zao Fox Village
-
Matsushima Sightseeing Cruise
-
Sendai Daikannon
-
Ruins of the Great
East Japan Earthquake:
Sendai Arahama Elementary
School -
Accommodation in Oku-Matsushima
-
Shiroishi Castle / Sumaru Yashiki (House)
-
Sagakei Gorge
-
Kataribe taxi
-
Matsushima Islands Area
-
Otaka-Mori
-
Naruko Onsen Hot Springs
-
Yajiro Kokeshi Village
-
Miyagi Zao Tour of Juhyo, Ice Monster
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Yunushi Ichijo Ryokan
-
Yamadera(Risshaku-ji Temple)
-
Sendai Station
-
Zuihoden Mausoleum
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Sendai 3/11 Memorial Community Center
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Kokubuncho Yokocho (Alleyways of Kokubuncho District)
-
Tsukihama Public Beach (Fishing Experience)
-
SENDAI Tourist Information Desk
-
Sendai Mediatheque
-
Naruko-kyo Gorge
-
Ishinomori Manga Museum
-
Site of Sendai Castle
-
Sendai Station
-
Oshu Kaido Street Umen Bansho (Shiroishi Umen)
-
Johgi Nyorai
-
Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets
-
Jozenji-dori Ave.
-
Discovery Center
-
Akiu Onsenkyo Hot Springs (Akiu Otaki Falls, Rairai-kyo Gorge)
-
Matsushima Islands Area
-
Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium/Mitsui Outlet Park
-
Osaki Hachimangu Shrine
-
Akiu Kogei no Sato (Akiu Craft Park)
-
Sushitetsu
-
Urakasumi Sake Brewery
-
Hitome Senbonzakura (1,000 Sakura trees at a glance)
-
The Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery
-
Loople Sendai
-
Shiogama Shrine/Shiwahiko Shrine
-
Abe Kamaboko-ten Main Store - Specialists in Kamaboko (steamed seasoned fish paste)
-
Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market