Zao-san Things to Do

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Okama crater lake, of the five colored lake, is truly a beautiful site to see. After walking the dead dormant volcano the welcoming color of the lake is even more luminous.

The lake is named the five colored lake because the color will change depending on different factors, like weather. Must see the lake as a deep blue, but the day I was there it was a brilliant green.

I recommend walking the path further and seeing the lake for different angles. As well, this is a great spot to eat. Make sure you bring some wet tissues so you can clean your hands.

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Zao is pretty easy hike seeing how you can take any number of ropeways up to the summit, or rather close to the summit. The paths are well marked out and taken care of. You will find stone or wood laid on most of the path so walking it is a synch. That being said, the path is lifeless and filled with muted earth tones. It gets rather boring. The hike from the ropeway station to Okama crater lake should take about an hour one way.

Its desolation & stark beauty make Okama one of the most dramatic sights I've come across in Japan. A small breeze, the passing of the clouds & the different time of the day present a delightful canvas of sceneries where one could barely contains one's excitement & amazement!

To get a perspective of the depth one has to go to get close to the lake (& even that is not close enough) please click on the photo. To me, it's a pretty treacherous road but an exciting one as well!

Many a times, no footprints have graced these paths. Naturally, no footprints = no paths. But, with technology, we are still able to have a view of the gorgeous vistas. This may not be the same for many, but to me, they serve a purpose; we get to see more than ever before & we learn the importance of prioritizing.

Challenge yourself & hike as close as you possibly can to the OKAMA CRATER LAKE.

Formed more than 380 years ago after an eruption, this has to be one of the most amazing sceneries one gets to see in Japan. Like a rare gem, it glows under the sunlight & on a clear day the image is so perfect that one finds it hard to leave. I was here for almost 3 hours & had such an uplifting time that it will always remain to be a treasured moment in my life.

Worshipers of a shrine will stand in front of the haiden hall, pull the bell rope, toss money into a box & clap 3 times to summon the resident kami (deities). Having done that, they then stand in silent prayer.

For the Shintoists, another opportunity to worship the Okama.

The Torii is the most recognizable icon of Shinto. These are gateways to the sacred precints of a shrine. Usually made of wood with 2 rails at the top. Sometimes they are constructed in stone as well.