Zao Mountain Range (Zao Renpo) is located in the prefecture border between Miyagi and Yamagata in the Oshu Mountain Ranges that runs north to south of the Tohoku region. The main peak is Kumano dake in the Yamagata side (1,841 m).
They are layers of mountains dividing Miyagi prefecture and Yamagata prefecture, and they are one of Ou mountain ranges running north-south in the Tohoku region. The highest peak is Kumano-dake in Central Zao, followed by Byoubu-dake, Katsuta-dake, and Sugiga Mine. Zao Mountain Range has over 40 volcanic activities since it started monitoring. In the active volcano, the exposed rocky areas in light grey color (mainly Andesanite) are very thrilling.
It is at between 700 m and 572 m above sea level, falling from Ishikosawa in the east of Ushiro Eboshi-dake to Sumi River. It is listed as one of the best 100 waterfalls in Japan, and especially the view of autumnal leaves is breathtaking. Sumi River has Sankai Falls, Fudou Falls and Jizou Falls, and you can see the scenery from Taki Midai.
Mt. Zao which sits between Miyagi Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture is one of the place you can sight the rare nature art, "Snow Monster"
At Miyagi Zao Sumikawa Snow Park, the snow car "Wild Monster" will take you up and show you the snow monsters with a tour guide.
Okama is a crater lake located in Goshikidake. It is also called Goshiki pound as the color changes into emerald green and sky blue according to weather conditions. It is the symbol of Zao, which shows distinctive changes in each season. Because the shape of being surrounded by Gairinzan is similar to "a pot" (=Okayama in Japanasese), it is named Okama.
Okama is a crater lake located in Goshikidake. It is also called Goshiki pound as the color changes into emerald green and sky blue according to weather conditions. It is the symbol of Zao, which shows distinctive changes in each season. Because the shape of being surrounded by Gairinzan is similar to "a pot" (=Okayama in Japanasese), it is named Okama.
