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
-

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine
-

Yamadera(Risshaku-ji Temple)
-

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

Discovery Center
-

Tsukihama Public Beach (Fishing Experience)
-

Kokubuncho Yokocho (Alleyways of Kokubuncho District)
-

Site of Sendai Castle
-

Ishinomori Manga Museum
-

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium/Mitsui Outlet Park
-

Loople Sendai
-

Naruko-kyo Gorge
-

Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market
-

Sagakei Gorge
-

Sendai City Museum
-

Yunushi Ichijo Ryokan
-

Otaka-Mori
-

Sendai 3/11 Memorial Community Center
-

Sendai Station
-

Zao Fox Village
-

Accommodation in Oku-Matsushima
-

Shiogama Shrine/Shiwahiko Shrine
-

Naruko Onsen Hot Springs
-

Jozenji-dori Ave.
-

Matsushima Islands Area
-

Oshu Kaido Street Umen Bansho (Shiroishi Umen)
-

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

Sendai Mediatheque
-

Matsushima Sightseeing Cruise
-

Johgi Nyorai
-

Sendai Station
-

Bar hopping in Iroha Yokocho
-

Miyagi Zao Tour of Juhyo, Ice Monster
-

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

Sendai Daikannon
-

The Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery
-

Kirin Brewery Sendai
-

Shiroishi Castle / Sumaru Yashiki (House)
-

Matsushima Islands Area
-

SENDAI Tourist Information Desk
-

Zuihoden Mausoleum
-

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

Downtown Sendai City
-

Yajiro Kokeshi Village
-

Urakasumi Sake Brewery
-

Kataribe taxi
-

Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets
-

Sushitetsu
-

Akiu Kogei no Sato (Akiu Craft Park)





About MIYAGI 




