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