We’re continuing our journey across Tohoku using only public transport —
and this time, the destination is the legendary Okama Crater on Mt. Zao!
The catch? There’s only a 30% chance you’ll actually get to see it (thanks, weather),
and just one round-trip bus a day.
Yup… total luck-based travel 😂
So here we are — two sisters crossing Tohoku by train and bus alone.
Yesterday we climbed 1,015 steps at Yamadera (our knees are still recovering).
Missed that post? Check it out here ↓
What’s “Okama” Crater in Mt. Zao?
Okama is a volcanic crater lake surrounded by three peaks: Katta-dake, Kumano-dake, and Goshiki-dake, all part of Mt. Zao on the border between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures.Its name means “cooking pot” in Japanese, thanks to its round, bowl-like shape.
Depending on the sunlight, the water shifts between deep green and vivid blue — earning it the nickname “Goshiki-ko” (Five-Color Lake).It looks different from every angle, and its ever-changing beauty keeps visitors mesmerized.The crater lake is about 1 km around, 325 meters in diameter, and 27.6 meters deep at its deepest point.
Its highly acidic water means no life can survive in it — giving it an otherworldly, mysterious vibe.
(Source: Tabi-Tohoku official website)
https://www.tohokukanko.jp/attractions/detail_1240.html
What really sparked our interest was a photo of this view in a travel magazine — it totally blew us away.
We just had to see it with our own eyes.
And that’s how we decided: this trip’s destination would be Okama Crater!
But the guidebook warned us —
yeah, there’s a bus, but it only runs a few times a day, and public transport isn’t really recommended.
Still, “not recommended” doesn’t mean “impossible,” right?
In fact, the harder it was to get there, the more we wanted to go.
That little voice inside said: Let’s do it anyway!
How to Get to Okama Crater
Here are a few ways to reach Okama Crater:
- Take a direct bus from Yamagata Station and get off at the final stop,
Zao-Katta Summit. - Or take a bus to Katta Parking Lot, then hop on a chairlift up to the summit.
- Another option: from Sendai Station, transfer buses at Togatta Onsen to reach the summit area.
※FYI: In 2024, there were special buses running all the way to the summit during the Obon holiday period! 💡✨
（No info available yet for 2025 as of now.） - Driving? You can rent a car —Here’s the Map Code for GPS:→「569 459 003 ＊34」
Since we were staying near Yamagata Station, we took the bus from there and got off at Zao-Katta Summit 😊
Back then, we didn’t know there was a chairlift option,
so next time… yeah, I might give that a try instead 😄
Jaw-Dropping Views of Okama Crater
After a bit of a journey (and a lot of luck), we finally made it!
And then — BAM!! An unbelievable view opened up right in front of us!!!! 🌈⛰️
Here come some of our absolute favorite shots. You’ve been warned — it’s stunning!! 📷🔥
Okama Crater, Captured on Film
Okama Crater, Captured with a olympus pen
I mean—come on!! This place is insanely beautiful!!!
It honestly felt like we’d stepped into another world.
The clouds felt so close, the view was beyond massive…
I was genuinely moved. It was pure magic. ☺️
Racing Against the Clock (a.k.a. the Bus Schedule)
There’s only one round-trip bus per day from Yamagata Station.
The bus arrives at Zao-Katta Summit at 11:06 AM,
and leaves again at 1:00 PM — so yeah, not a lot of time to spare! 😅
After soaking in the views, we grabbed a snack from the rest house:
Tama Konnyaku — round, chewy balls made from konjac root,
a local favorite in Yamagata.
We enjoyed them while gazing out at the Okama Crater. Pure bliss. ☺️
Is It True You Might Not See Okama?
They say there’s only about a 30% chance of getting a clear view of Okama.Because it’s so high up, the weather changes fast —and thick fog or clouds often block the view.
That said, the weather can shift dramatically even within the same day.
So if it’s cloudy when you arrive, don’t panic — sometimes the fog clears up if you wait a bit.It’s hard to get to, and even harder to see clearly —
but maybe that’s what makes it so magical when you do.
Catching a perfect view of Okama? Absolutely unforgettable. ☺️
I’ve actually been to Okama twice, and thanks to my sunny-weather powers, I got a crystal-clear view both times!Of course, luck plays a big part when it comes to visibility…
So why not bring along your very own “sunshine friend” —
that one person who magically brings good weather wherever they go! 😄
From Okama to Iwate
As much as we wanted to stay and soak in the view a little longer,it was time to hop on the bus and head off to the next destination.Next up: Iwate Prefecture, where we’ll be exploring the historic sights around Hiraizumi the following day.
We really wanted to stay in Hiraizumi,
but since it was Obon, Japan’s busy summer holiday season, hotel prices were sky-high… so we gave up on that plan.Instead, we booked a place near Mizusawa Station — much more budget-friendly 😊
We were on a strict budget, so we took the local trains from Yamagata to Mizusawa.(Yeah… probably not the smartest idea 😅)
And so began our epic 3-hour train ride…
Coming up next: Hiraizumi on two wheels — chaos guaranteed. Don’t miss it! 😆
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