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