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[Zao Town, Miyagi Prefecture] The emerald green “Okama” is an exploding crater lake! Experience the power of life and death

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  • Last updated: 2023.06.15

Miyagi Prefecture is famous for its hot springs, skiing, and frost-covered trees. However, the most representative spot is “ Okama"is.
It's not a rice pot, but a giant natural pot. It is a crater and is a rare place where you can see a very beautiful emerald view.

Similar to Lake Itomori from the blockbuster movie "Your Name."That's why it's becoming a hot topic.
This time, we will introduce this pot, which can be said to be a symbol of Miyagi.

What is Zao's pot?

The pot isA crater lake formed by a volcanic eruptionis. Crater lakes are created when rain and groundwater (hot springs) accumulate in a crater from which magma spews out.

This crater lake is so called because it looks like a cauldron because it is surrounded by a somma.Because the collected water contains hot spring ingredients, it has a very beautiful emerald green color. Because it changes to various colors depending on sunlight, GoshikinumaIt has earned the nickname.

The best spot to see the Okama is Mt. Katta next door.

Zao is that ``Japan's 100 Famous Mountains” is counted as one of the About a 5-minute walk from the parking lot at the summit of Zao Kartadake, you can go to the observation deck where you can see the pot.

The pot itself is located on Mt. Goshiki. However, it goes without saying that you cannot see the big picture if you are in that location. Therefore, the neighboring summit of Mt. Kattadake is a popular spot to view the Okama.

How to access the pot (by car)

From Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture,Zao echo line” is used. Branched out from there. Zao High Line” through “Zao Karita summit”.

Zao High Line is a toll road. 540 yen for a regular car. You can also take a bus from Shiroishi Zao Station. In this case, it will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and cost 1,800 yen.

Let's take a breather at the rest house's "Kamakatsudon"

「Zao Karita summitAbout 2 minutes walk from ``Zao Mountaintop Rest House”. There are toilets, a shop, and a place to take a break on the first floor, so we recommend taking a break here before heading to the pot.

There is a restaurant on the second floor, so you can also eat there. Of course, the view is amazing. The most recommended menu item is the one in the pot. Kamakatsudon"is.

If the volcanic gas fog is severe, please wait patiently at the rest house.

Speaking of Zao,A living mountain where volcanic activity continuesIt is also famous for that. As a result, there is a lot of volcanic gas, which forms a thick fog that sometimes covers the magnificent view of Okama in pure white.

In these cases, you may need to wait patiently. In such cases, this rest house will come in handy. Let's enjoy the view of the pot while eating Kama Katsudon and replenish your energy.

It is about a 2-minute walk from the rest house to the observation deck, which is a great spot to view the pot.

How to access the pot (if using a lift)

From the Yamagata Prefecture side, we recommend going by lift. also" Zao echo line” through “Zao Kogen Katta Parking LotI'll go as far as ``. From there" Katta lift” and ride “Zao Karita summit”.

You can go to Okama while enjoying the spectacular view of Zao on the lift. A video of the view from the lift is posted on the official website.

Link: Zao Kattarihuto lift http://www.zaoliza.co.jp/summer/kattarihuto/http/douga.html

Enjoy Tamakon at the lower lift station and get a commemorative photo

A round trip ticket for the lift is 750 yen. At the lower station, you can buy souvenirs and Famous Tama Konnyakuis on sale. It has a deep brown egg and is said to be very delicious.

If you buy a round-trip ticket, you can have a souvenir photo taken of you riding the lift. They put it in an original Okama frame, and you can buy it for 1000 yen on your way home.

About a 15-minute walk from where you took the lift, you will arrive at the Okama Observation Deck. For those who don't want to walk much, it is better to go from the Zao High Line to the Zao Karita Summit.

Contrary to its appearance, the sea of ​​death and the explosive crater are impressive

The emerald green surface of the lake is so beautiful that you can see all kinds of creatures swimming gracefully. However, in reality Because it is acidic with a pH of about 3.5, it is a dead lake with no living organisms.

However, the surrounding mountains are alive and well, and magma continues to breathe from the lake bed. It was created by a volcanic eruption, explosion craterIt is called.

As the name suggests, the cliffs surrounding the lake bear the scars of an eruption. Okama is a place where the beauty of nature, such as life and death, destruction and creation, leaves a great impact on the eyes.

The pot is a crater lake, not a caldera lake.

By the way, when you see a lake that accumulates in a crater like this, many people call it a caldera lake. However, strictly speaking, it is not a caldera lake, but a crater lake.

Crater lakes are formed on a similar principle to caldera lakes: water collects in holes created by magma eruptions.The difference lies in the scale; crater lakes are smaller in area and depth than caldera lakes.

Points to note when going to the pot

Although the Zao High Line provides easy access to the summit, Mt. Katta is 1,754 meters above sea level. The climate is different from that of the lower regions, and the temperature can drop suddenly. The wind is also strong.

Don't forget warm clothes, comfortable walking shoes, and rain gear

Winter clothesLet's not forget. The road leading to the rest house is paved and easy to walk, but there are some bumpy roads. Comfortable shoes for walking, preferably Climbing shoesIt is safer to wear them. Because the weather is changeable, rain gearLet's not forget that too.

Since it's on top of a mountain, the sun is strong.SunscreenIt would be better to have one as well.

You can only go to the pot from summer to autumn.

Okama cannot be accessed in winter. Because, In winter, Zao Echo Line and Zao High Line are closed due to snow.This is to be done.

Late April to early Novemberis the period during which you can access it. The exact start and end dates vary from year to year, depending on the weather. The opening in 2018 was April 27th.

A monument symbolizing the legend of the famous prince, Munetaka Date

After about 10 minutes of climbing from the observation deck, you will reach the summit of Mt. Kattadake. There are Katamine Shrinethere is. Nearby, Monument of Date Munetaka, the seventh son of Date Masamuneis installed.

Legend has it that when the Okama erupted, Date Munetaka climbed up with his followers and prayed. And he appeased the mountain's anger and delivered relief to the people he ruled over. Munetaka risked his life to climb the mountain and fulfilled his role, and is remembered as a famous prince along with the monument.

Kattamine Shrine, where the deity moves in summer and winter

Kattamine Shrine is located not only at the top of the mountain, but also at Togatta Onsen at the foot of the mountain.The two are paired.

The top of the mountain is Okumiya,

Togatta Onsen is called Satomiya.

The reason there are two is because God is moving. In the winter, it has been buried under snow, making it difficult to visit the inner shrine at the top.

Therefore, people moved their sacred objects to Satomiya (seasonal relocation) and commuted there during the winter. Then, in the summer, it is returned to its original location.

Moving time

Currently, the transfer from Satomiya to Okumiya is being carried out in conjunction with the opening of the Zao Echo Line and Zao High Line mentioned above. In other words Around late Aprilis.

At the time of this relocation, Osaki Hachimangu Shrine in Sendai City wasKattamine Shrine snow removal service” is being carried out. This is done using shovels and other tools so that the inner shrine buried in snow can be seen again.
The transfer from Okumiya to Satomiya takes place on the first Sunday of October.It has been decided that it will be held on. " Ceremony for descending the shrine” will be implemented.

This type of relocation that takes place every year depending on the season is rare even in Japan. Speaking of seasonal changes, we think of Kattamine Shrine.

Summary about the crater lake “Okama”

This time, we introduced Okama, a spot that represents Miyagi, which is famous for its particularly beautiful crater lake. The Zao Mountain Range has a different expression depending on the season, and is loved by many people.

Many people visit in the winter for skiing and sightseeing on the frost-covered trees, but it is also recommended to visit this hot pot in the summer and fall. The contrast between the beautiful emerald green lake and the rough exploding crater is very impactful and interesting.

There are also other attractions to enjoy, such as the legend of Munetaka Date and the existence of Kattamine Shrine, which has the unusual custom of seasonal transfers. Be sure to go before the Zao High Line closes.

INFORMATION

nameOkama
locationMiyagi Prefecture, Katta District, Zao Town, Togatta Onsen, Kuraishitake National Forest
telephone number0224-33-2215 (Zao Town Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism Division)
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INFORMATION

nameZao Mountaintop Rest House
location1F, Togatta Onsen Kuraishitake National Forest, Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture
telephone number090-3022-1186
GOOGLE MAP

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