Okama Crater, Zao-machi, Japan
With a height of 1841 meters, Mount Zao is one of the most prominent mountains in the Tohoku Region, sitting on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures. The active volcano features a beautiful crater with lake, known as Okama due to its resemblance with a traditional cooking pot. The crater cannot be approached but viewed from a distance outside of winter.
A spectacular road, the Zao Echo Line, leads to close to one of Mount Zao’s secondary peaks, called Kattadake (1758 meters), before descending the mountain on the other side into Miyagi Prefecture. From Kattadake, tourists can view the Okama Crater without much effort, and there is also a shrine, visitor center and restaurant. It is also possible to hike from Kattadake to Zao’s highest peak in about 45 minutes, from where it takes an additional 45 minutes to reach the upper station of the Zao Ropeway which descends to Zao Onsen.
Epic Japan Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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