Zao, Miyagi / 蔵王・御釜

Zao Okama Crater Lake

A crater lake near the summit of the Zao mountains, seen from a viewpoint at about 1,600 m.

Last official check

25 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

24 Dec 2026

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.

Opening hours: Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Closed: Cannot be visited from early November to late April every year (winter closure of the Zao Echo Line and Zao Highline). Roads can also close at other times; check road information on the day. The roads also close at night from the late-April opening until after Golden Week, and from mid-October until the winter closure in early November (times are not listed on this page).
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Admission: No entry fee is listed. The Zao Highline toll road charges a toll (amount not listed on this page).
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Getting there: About 1 hour by car from Murata IC or Shiroishi IC (Tohoku Expressway). Miyako bus to Zao Katta Sancho: one bus a day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Parking: About 350 spaces, free.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Payment: Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Accessibility: The path from the summit rest house to the viewpoint is graded for wheelchairs, but the footing is uneven in places. Wear sturdy shoes.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site

Address: Zao Quasi-National Park, Miyagi (no street address)

Titles and dates from the official site's news feed, checked once a day. We show only the titles; open the link for details.

Smaller pins are other spots nearby.

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.

Crowd level: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Best time to visit: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Peak time: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Busiest days: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Busiest season: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Latest traveler report: None yet

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

NatureDo not go past the viewpoint fence toward the lake, and stay on the trails.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
NatureVolcanic area: do not approach the Umanose caldera (expected crater area), and leave if you notice anything unusual. It can be about 10 degrees colder than the foot of the mountain, with strong winds.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site

25 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.zao-machi.com/sightseeing_spot/1.htmlSeason, access, parking, road tolls and safety notes read from the Zao Town Tourism Association's official page.