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