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.
update: Sep.3.2024

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