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
-

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

Kirin Brewery Sendai
-

Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market
-

Kokubuncho Yokocho (Alleyways of Kokubuncho District)
-

Zuihoden Mausoleum
-

Sendai City Museum
-

Bar hopping in Iroha Yokocho
-

Naruko-kyo Gorge
-

Urakasumi Sake Brewery
-

Zao Fox Village
-

Sendai Mediatheque
-

Accommodation in Oku-Matsushima
-

Miyagi Zao Tour of Juhyo, Ice Monster
-

Downtown Sendai City
-

Sushitetsu
-

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

Sendai Station
-

Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets
-

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

Jozenji-dori Ave.
-

Rinno-ji Temple
-

Sendai 3/11 Memorial Community Center
-

Oshu Kaido Street Umen Bansho (Shiroishi Umen)
-

Johgi Nyorai
-

Sendai Daikannon
-

Discovery Center
-

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium/Mitsui Outlet Park
-

Ishinomori Manga Museum
-

Yunushi Ichijo Ryokan
-

Akiu Kogei no Sato (Akiu Craft Park)
-

Matsushima Sightseeing Cruise
-

Shiogama Shrine/Shiwahiko Shrine
-

Tsukihama Public Beach (Fishing Experience)
-

Naruko Onsen Hot Springs
-

Yajiro Kokeshi Village
-

Sagakei Gorge
-

Site of Sendai Castle
-

GREAT DANE BREWING
-

Matsushima Islands Area
-

Shiroishi Castle / Sumaru Yashiki (House)
-

Matsushima Islands Area
-

Otaka-Mori
-

The Nikka Whisky Sendai Miyagikyo Distillery
-

Sendai Station
-

Yamadera(Risshaku-ji Temple)
-

Loople Sendai
-

Kataribe taxi
-

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

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine
-

SENDAI Tourist Information Desk





About MIYAGI 





