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