Did you know that there is a lake in Miyagi Prefecture that mysteriously changes color?
That lake is ″Okama.”
Okama is a scenic spot that Zao in Miyagi Prefecture is proud of.
Okama is said to be a lake created by a volcano.
Therefore, it has a different charm from other lakes.
This time, we will introduce you to the details of Miyagi Prefecture’s Okama, a mysterious crater lake that shines in emerald green.

What is the emerald green scenic  Okama.

​​​Okama is a crater lake located on the border between Zao Town, Katta District, and Kawasaki Town, Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture.
A crater lake is a lake formed by the accumulation of water in the crater of a volcano.
Okama became a crater lake because it was surrounded by three mountains: Mt. Katta, Mt. Kumano, and Mt. Goshiki.
The pot is usually called Okama and is located in the Zao mountain range that separates Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures.
The name okama comes from its shape, which resembles a pot (like a deep pot) filled with water.

❶Okama is also said to be a five-colored swamp.

It is also called the five-colored swamp.
This is because the color of the lake surface looks different depending on the season, weather, sunlight, viewing angle, presence of volcanic activity, etc.
The color of the lake surface changes from deep green, blue, emerald green, cobalt, lapis lazuli, brown, red, and white, and the color is uneven, and even slight differences can make it look like a completely different color.

❷What causes the different colors of water on the lake surface?

The causes of differences in the color of water on the lake surface are as follows.

・The surface of the lake becomes a clear azure color (when volcanic activity has stopped)
・Lake surface becomes whitish and cloudy (during volcanic activity)
・The lake surface turns red (when the acidity of the water increases)

❸Where can I see Okama?

Currently, Okama is an active volcano with an eruption alert level 1, and is a mountain that requires vigilance.
We don’t know when it will resume erupting.
Therefore, it is prohibited to enter near the surface of the lake.
To see the surface of Okama Lake, you can look down on Okama from the Okama Observation Deck, Umanose no ridge, or the summit of Mt. Kattadake.

▲At the summit of Mt. Katta is the mysterious Kattamine Shrine. You can also look down on the Okama from Kattamine Shrine.

❹Can living things live in Okama water?

Unfortunately, living things cannot live in the water in the pot.
The reason is that Okama water has a strong sulfur content and is highly acidic with a pH of 3.5.

➁Lots of cheese Okama pizza! !

Okama pizza is a pizza made to look like an ″Okama”, provided by Mori no Pizza Kobo Revoir, a pizza factory located in Kawasaki-cho, Shibata-gun, Miyagi Prefecture.

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❶​​What kind of pizza is Okama Pizza?

Okama pizza is a pizza that is made using wheat from Iwate Prefecture and water from the foothills of Mt. Zao to create a pizza dough shaped like an ″Okama” and topped with plenty of cheese made from nutritious milk produced in Zao. .
Even the normal version without any toppings is delicious and has a lot of flavor, making it easy to eat.

❷Characteristics of Louvoir pizza dough.

Revoir’s pizza dough is made by a baker, not a pizza chef.
Therefore, the texture is slightly different from that of regular Neapolitan pizza dough.
The image is that it has a pie dough-like flavor and a slightly crunchy texture.

❸Okama pizza topping menu.

There are four types of toppings for Okama Pizza: normal, homemade bacon, basil, and natural pink shrimp.
All the toppings are fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.

❹The wooden schoolhouse-style store creates a nostalgic atmosphere.

The Mori no Pizza Studio Revoir store is characterized by its nostalgic appearance reminiscent of an old rural elementary school.
This store is actually the second generation.
The first generation used the renovated Kawasaki Elementary School Harobai branch school site, which was built in 1891, as a store.
After that, in December 2018, we relocated and opened a new store in our current location diagonally across the street.
Even though the new store opens in its current location, it retains the old store’s nostalgic wooden schoolhouse-style exterior, relaxing space, and warm, nostalgic interior.
Just visiting Mori no Pizza Kobo Levoir’s store is enough to give you an impressive experience.

▲It was a nostalgic shop that retained the atmosphere of the school building! !

➂Access information to Okama.

Here you will find detailed information about access to the pot.
The address of the pot is ″Miyagi Prefecture Zao National Park, Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture”.

❶Route from Tokyo to Okama by car.

Tokyo IC ⇒ Tomei Expressway ⇒ Tohoku Expressway ⇒ Yamagata Expressway ⇒ Yamagata Zao IC ⇒Murata IC ⇒ National Route 286 ⇒ Yamagata Zao IC Exit ⇒ Yamagata Expressway ⇒ Sasaya IC ⇒ Prefectural Road ⇒ National Route 457 ⇒ Echo Line ⇒ Okama

Summary

This time, we introduced Miyagi Prefecture’s Okama, a mysterious crater lake that shines in emerald green.
Okama is a symbol of Zao, along with frost-covered trees.
It is very unique as you can see a different color of the lake surface every time you visit.
Unlike the rough crater walls, the lake has a mystical atmosphere.
Furthermore, there is Okama Pizza, which is designed to look like an “Okama” (Okama), so you can enjoy both sightseeing and gourmet food.
Immerse yourself in the various charms of Zao’s scenic and light spots.
When you visit Miyagi, we highly recommend visiting Okama.

▲Okama

▲Okama Pizza?