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