Mount Zaō

What it is

• A complex volcano on the border of Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures.
• Designated as the Zaō Quasi-National Park and one of Japan's 100 famous mountains.
• A monitored volcanic site consisting of basalt and andesite stratovolcanoes.
• The highest peak is Mount Kumano reaching an elevation of 1,840 meters.

What to see

• Okama is a circular crater lake located in the central area of the mountain.
• Coniferous trees that transform into frozen ice trees known as Juhyo.
• Kattamine Shrine situated on the summit of Mount Katta.
• The Zaō Echo Line road which crosses through the mountain range.
• Ski resorts and traditional hot spring towns located at the base.

When to go

• Winter is the time to see the famous Juhyo ice trees.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.