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