Okama Crater

What to know

Mount Zao, standing 1,841 meters tall, is a prominent peak straddling the border between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures in the Tohoku Region. This active volcano boasts a beautiful crater lake called Okama (御釜), named for its resemblance to a traditional cooking pot. Visitors can view the crater from a distance, but access to the rim is not permitted except in winter.

The scenic Zao Echo Line road leads to near Kattadake (1,758 meters), a secondary peak of Mount Zao, before descending into Miyagi Prefecture. From Kattadake, the Okama Crater is easily visible, and there is a shrine, visitor center, and restaurant. Hikers can also trek from Kattadake to Zao's highest peak in about 45 minutes, then continue another 45 minutes to the upper station of the Zao Ropeway, which descends to Zao Onsen.

From late April to early November, cars can drive the Zao Echo Line to a parking lot just below Kattadake. The final stretch is a toll road costing 550 yen per car (round trip). Alternatively, a free parking lot is located a few minutes downhill, connected to Kattadake by a chair lift (800 yen round trip).

One bus per day runs on weekends and holidays from late April through July, and daily from August to mid-October, from Yamagata Station via Zao Onsen to Kattadake and back. The one-way trip from Yamagata Station takes about 90 minutes and costs 2,250 yen. From Zao Onsen, it takes about one hour and costs 1,470 yen.

Alternatively, two buses per day run between Kaminoyama Onsen Station on the Yamagata Shinkansen and Kattadake outside winter. The one-way trip takes about one hour and is free! Note that this bus does not pass through Zao Onsen. Lastly, from the Miyagi side, one daily bus runs from Shiroishi Zao Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen on weekends and public holidays between late April and early November. The one-way trip takes around 1.5 hours and costs 1,960 yen. The bus also stops at Shiroishi Station on the Tohoku Main Line.

Another option is to take the Zao Ropeway from Zao Onsen to its upper station (2,200 yen one way, 4,200 yen round trip) and walk about 45 minutes to the summit of Mount Zao, where the Okama Crater becomes visible.