“Okama Crater” in Zao, located on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures, features an emerald green lake whose color changes depending on the weather and lighting conditions. It is a very famous tourist destination due to its mysteriousness and beauty.

At the peak of the Zao mountain range overlooking Okama, there is the “Zao Kattamine Shrine.” While most tourists come to see the crater, this shrine also has a long history as it used to be known as “Zao Daigongen-sha,” where the principal deity of Shugendo was enshrined.

Near the summit, the rest house offers a variety of delicious food and souvenir shops.

This time, we will report on Okama Crater, Zao Kattamine Shrine, and the Zao Summit Rest House.

What is the Mysterious “Okama Crater”? Why It’s Recommended to See on a Clear Day

The Okama Crater of Mount Zao is a crater lake located in the Zao mountain range, which straddles the border between Miyagi Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture. It is a very famous tourist spot and a symbol of Zao. On sunny days, the surface of the lake shines emerald green, and due to its mystical beauty, it is also called the “Goshikinuma” or “Five-Color Pond.” To see this emerald-green Okama, a clear day is recommended. On sunny days, the emerald-green lake, the brown crater, and the brilliant blue sky come together, creating a picturesque and beautiful landscape.

Even if it’s clear in Yamagata City, when there are clouds over Mount Zao, the summit can be covered in thick fog, and you won’t be able to see the crater lake. Depending on the weather, if you wait a little at the summit, you might catch a glimpse of the lake through gaps in the fog. Seeing the crater floating amidst the mist has its own charm, but I definitely recommend visiting on a clear day!

What is the Mountain Worship Shrine ‘Zao Kattamine Shrine,’ Once Called Zao Daigongen?

Zao Kattamine Shrine is a shrine located near the summit of the Zao Mountain Range, and it has long been cherished as the center of mountain worship in Zao. Situated at an elevation of about 1,700 meters, it is also popular as a scenic spot offering breathtaking views of the majestic mountains and Okama crater on clear days.

In the past, at the summit of Mount Zao stood the ‘Zao Daigongen Shrine,’ which enshrined Zao Daigongen, the principal deity of Shugendo (mountain ascetic practices). During the late Edo period, pilgrimages to Zao became popular among those seeking blessings, with visiting Zao Daigongen at the mountain summit being a primary goal.

At the beginning of the Meiji era, following the decree to separate Shinto and Buddhism, this shrine was renamed from the Buddhist “Zao Daigongen” to the Shinto “Mikumarijinja (Mikumari Shrine),” and later it was further renamed to its current designation, “Zao Kattamine Shrine Okumiya.”

The enshrined deity Mizuwake-no-Kami is regarded as the “god who governs the distribution of water,” and is believed to bring blessings related to water necessary for agriculture, as well as for conception and safe childbirth (the blessings of water). Perhaps as a remnant of that, even now the red seal stamp (goshuin) is inscribed with “Zaō Daigongen.”

To the Spectacular Summit! Visiting Zaō Kattamine Shrine

Zaō Kattamine Shrine is located about a 10-minute walk uphill from Mount Kattadake Summit parking lot.

We keep walking straight toward the summit of Mount Kattadake on the right. The clear weather feels great!

The Zao Kattamine Shrine at the mountain summit feels close yet far. The main hall still looks quite small.

There is a wide walkway, but it’s a gravel path without handrails, so those with weak legs or backs need to be careful.

I’m starting to get a little out of breath, so I climb slowly while looking at the pot on my left. The cold wind feels refreshing.

Passing through the torii gate and entering the shrine grounds, there was a long line of people waiting for goshuin! I’ve been here several times, but this is the first time I’ve seen it this crowded.

I was unsure about lining up for the goshuin, but after all, the mountaintop is cold. Since I was lightly dressed, I thought it would be impossible to wait in line for a long time, so I decided to give up this time. For those who want to receive a goshuin, make sure to allow plenty of time and don’t forget to prepare for the cold!

The small building on the right side of the photo is the office where amulets and charms are given. To visit the shrine, pass by the side of the line for goshuin (temple stamps) and proceed to the building on the left side of the photo. There was also a small line of visitors forming.

The shrine, which gets completely buried in snow every year, was sturdily built with concrete, but it still seems to weather quite severely.

Every day, as I look at Mount Zao from Yamagata City, I expressed my daily gratitude to the god of Zao. Originally, as the principal deity of the Shugendo tradition, the shrine gave off a very sharp and powerful presence.

From the side, the shrine is surrounded by tall stone walls. When I visited two years ago, a small animal that looked like a stoat peeked out from a gap in the stone wall, and it was very cute. It’s amazing that there are living creatures even in such a high place with no grass or trees.

I took a photo of the amulet section at the shrine office. In the back on the right, you can see the back of a priest, and it seems he is writing the goshuin (temple/stamp inscriptions) by himself.

The weather was really nice that day, truly a ‘perfect day for Okama.’ Clear skies are definitely recommended.

You could clearly see the Miyagi Prefecture side as well.

The Zao Summit Rest House is full of souvenirs and food!

The Zao Summit Rest House is a facility for tourists and hikers to rest, eat, use the restroom, and shop for souvenirs. It is located a 3-minute walk from the Katta Summit Parking Lot, which is the end point of the Zao Highline.

On the first floor of the rest house, there are restrooms, rest areas, and shops selling souvenirs and light snacks, while the second floor has a restaurant that can accommodate about 240 people.

Souvenirs from Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures are lined up. My favorite long-selling baked confection, Zao’s famous sweet ‘Juhyo Roman,’ is also available.

There were also many types of Okama T-shirts. In the back on the left, just below the T-shirts, is the Noren of Sendai Shiro, the super famous ‘God of Prosperous Business and Good Fortune’ from Miyagi Prefecture (so cool!).

And the snack booth had a long lineup of delicious-looking items.

I can’t decide what to eat.

The rice balls and fried rice cakes look piping hot and delicious!! It’s a lineup that really whets your appetite!

Since my body was completely chilled, I bought warm amazake, meat-wrapped rice balls, and zunda dumplings. I sat on a chair in the rest area and enjoyed them while looking at the mountains of Zao.

The meat-wrapped rice balls had pork wrapped around the rice, and the rice inside was also thoroughly flavored, making them very delicious. The zunda was generously piled on the dumplings, which was very satisfying. Finally, I sipped the amazake and savored the luxurious moment.

I didn’t go to the restaurant on the second floor, but it seems they have a lot of menu options. The specialty dish is the “JAPAN-X Kamakatsu-don.” It looks hearty and delicious. When the weather is bad and the crater lake can’t be seen, many people seem to rest here while waiting for the weather to improve.

How to Access Zao’s Crater Lake and Zao Kattamine Shrine

To easily access Zao’s Crater Lake by car, the following method is recommended. Please use it as a reference:
1. Drive along the Zao Echo Line.
2. Near the prefectural border, take the turnoff onto the toll road to Okama, the “Zao High Line” (total length 2.5 km, 600 yen for a regular car).
3． Park at the Katta Summit Parking Lot, located at the end of the Zao High Line (free of charge).
4. From the parking lot, it’s about a 3-minute walk to the Okama Observatory.

As a rough guide for access time, it takes about an hour by car from the Tohoku Expressway via Shiroishi IC or Murata IC. From the Yamagata Expressway, it takes about an hour by car from Yamagata Kaminoyama IC.

Be careful, you can’t go to Okama during winter because the Zao Echo Line is closed!

Every year, from early November to late April of the following year, the Zao Echo Line is closed due to the risk of snowfall and frozen road surfaces.
As a result, you won’t be able to go to Okama during the closure period, so it is recommended to check the winter closure dates in advance before visiting.

Summary

The Okama Crater Lake on Mount Zao, which stretches along the border of Miyagi and Yamagata Prefectures, is a very mystical crater lake with a surface that glows emerald green. The grandeur and beauty seen from the mountain’s summit are unforgettable once witnessed.

At the summit, there is also the Zao Kattamine Shrine, which has a crisp and strong atmosphere. When you’re troubled or feeling down, it’s recommended to visit this shrine, feel the cold wind at the top of the mountain, and see the enormous crater. Doing so can purify both your mind and body.

After your visit, if you eat something delicious at the rest house before heading back, you’ll feel completely revitalized! This is my recommended power spot.