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
SAVOR THE FLAVORMore 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.3.2024
Spots around
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Fruit Picking
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Japanese Shojin Ryori (Vegetarian Dishes)
-
Sake Brewery Museum, Toko-no-Sakagura
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Somaro
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Studio Sedic Shonai Open Set
-
Atsumi Onsen
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Kaminoyama Castle
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Bunshokan
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Yamadera(Risshaku-ji Temple)
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Togashi Candle Shop (Picture Candle Painting Experience)
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Kamo Aquarium “Jellyfish Dream House”
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Kaminoyama City Sightseeing Fruit Orchard
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Uesugi-Jinja Shrine
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Mogami Gorge Basho Line Sightseeing (Traveling down the Mogami River by boat)
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Kaminoyama Onsen Kurort
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Yonezawa Beef
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Cherry Blossoms in Hiyoriyama Park
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Shonai Airport
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Zao Juhyo (Snow Monsters)
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Mt. Haguro Goju-no-to (five storied pagoda)
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Yunohama Onsen
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Yonezawa Station
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Sankyo Soko Storehouse
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Zao Onsen district
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Cherry Blossoms in Tsuruoka Park
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Chido Museum