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
-

Oshu Kaido Street Umen Bansho (Shiroishi Umen)
-

Bar hopping in Iroha Yokocho
-

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium/Mitsui Outlet Park
-

Sendai Station
-

Tsukihama Public Beach (Fishing Experience)
-

Sendai City Museum
-

Yajiro Kokeshi Village
-

Kokubuncho Yokocho (Alleyways of Kokubuncho District)
-

Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets
-

Rinno-ji Temple
-

Sushitetsu
-

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

Site of Sendai Castle
-

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

Urakasumi Sake Brewery
-

The Nikka Whisky Sendai Miyagikyo Distillery
-

Sagakei Gorge
-

Akiu Kogei no Sato (Akiu Craft Park)
-

Ishinomori Manga Museum
-

Accommodation in Oku-Matsushima
-

Naruko-kyo Gorge
-

Loople Sendai
-

SENDAI Tourist Information Desk
-

Sendai Mediatheque
-

Matsushima Islands Area
-

Kataribe taxi
-

Yunushi Ichijo Ryokan
-

Naruko Onsen Hot Springs
-

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine
-

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

GREAT DANE BREWING
-

Jozenji-dori Ave.
-

Zao Fox Village
-

Johgi Nyorai
-

Miyagi Zao Tour of Juhyo, Ice Monster
-

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

Zuihoden Mausoleum
-

Sendai Daikannon
-

Otaka-Mori
-

Shiroishi Castle / Sumaru Yashiki (House)
-

Sendai 3/11 Memorial Community Center
-

Discovery Center
-

Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market
-

Matsushima Sightseeing Cruise
-

Kirin Brewery Sendai
-

Shiogama Shrine/Shiwahiko Shrine
-

Sendai Station
-

Yamadera(Risshaku-ji Temple)
-

Matsushima Islands Area
-

Downtown Sendai City





About MIYAGI 





