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