Zao Okama, Zao Fox Village and Naruko Gorge show the wild side of Miyagi, a short Shinkansen ride from Sendai but a world away from the city. In the south of the prefecture, the Zao volcano hides an emerald crater lake you can drive almost to the rim, and nearby a fox village lets you walk among dozens of free-roaming foxes. In the north, the deep Naruko Gorge turns red and gold in autumn above one of Tohoku’s best-known hot spring towns. This guide explains when each spot is open, how to get there with or without a car, current prices and rules, and where to stay in the hot spring village of Togatta Onsen at the foot of Zao.
1. Zao Okama Crater Lake
Okama is a round crater lake on Mount Zao whose water shifts between emerald and turquoise depending on the light, set in a bowl of bare, rust-colored volcanic rock. On the Miyagi side, you reach it on the Zao Echo Line mountain road, which opened for the 2026 season on April 24 and closes for winter on November 4 at 17:00; since October 13 it has also been closed every night from 17:00 to 8:00. The last stretch, the Zao Highline toll road, costs 600 yen per car in cash. Without a car, a Miyako Bus service runs one round trip a day on weekends and holidays from late April to early November, leaving Shiroishi-Zao Station at 9:38 and Togatta Onsen at 10:23, and returning from the summit at 13:00; the fare from Shiroishi-Zao is 2,100 yen one way. Zao is an active volcano, currently at Alert Level 1, so check the Japan Meteorological Agency before you go, and bring a jacket, since the summit is cold and windy even in summer.
2. Zao Fox Village
Miyagi Zao Fox Village, in the hills of Shiroishi, is a large wooded enclosure where dozens of foxes of several color varieties roam, nap and wander around visitors. It is one of the most popular animal experiences in Tohoku, especially in winter, when the foxes grow thick coats and stand out against the snow. Entry costs 1,500 yen for junior high age and up and is free for younger children. The village is open from 9:00 to 16:30 in summer and until 16:00 in winter, and it is closed on Wednesdays, except during Golden Week and Obon. Follow the rules: these are not pets, and they can bite. Do not touch the foxes, and feed them only in the designated feeding area using the 100-yen food bags sold there, never by hand. In spring, you may be able to hold a fox kit for an extra 400 yen. There is no regular public bus; a taxi from Shiroishi-Zao Station takes about 20 minutes, so arrange your return ride before you go in.
3. Naruko Gorge
Naruko Gorge is a deep, forested ravine in Osaki City, in northern Miyagi, and one of Tohoku’s favorite autumn foliage spots; the colors usually peak from late October to early November. The classic view is from the deck by the Narukokyo Resthouse, looking up the gorge to the Ofukazawa Bridge, where JR Rikuu East Line trains once made the famous shot of a train emerging from a tunnel among the leaves. Note that the line between Naruko-Onsen and Shinjo has been suspended since heavy rain in July 2024 and is expected to stay closed until at least 2027, so trains do not currently cross the gorge. The Ofukazawa walking trail makes a loop of about 45 minutes, while most of the main gorge trail has been closed since 2008. From Sendai, take the Shinkansen to Furukawa and the Rikuu East Line to Naruko-Onsen, about 90 minutes and 2,500 yen in total, then a seasonal bus to the gorge in about 15 minutes. Finish the day with a soak in Naruko Onsen.
Where to Stay Near Togatta Onsen
Where to stay: Togatta OnsenHotel links in this section go to Orbitz. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Togatta Onsen is a small hot spring village at the foot of Zao, the most convenient base for Okama and Zao Fox Village, and the summit bus stops here. Expect traditional inns with hot spring baths rather than big hotels.
Luxury
Chikusenso Onsen is a luxury hot spring resort close to Togatta Onsen, set in the woods at the foot of Zao, ideal for a relaxing night after a day at the crater.
Luxury onsen resort in the Zao woods.
Mid-Range
Hotel Zao Mets is a small resort hotel close to Togatta Onsen, a convenient base for the Zao Echo Line and the fox village.
Small resort hotel near the hot springs.
Budget-Friendly
Togatta Onsen Tamaya Ryokan is a traditional ryokan in the Togatta hot spring village, a simpler option for experiencing a Japanese inn at the foot of Zao.
Traditional ryokan in the hot spring village.
Compare prices before you book
Hotels in Zao on Orbitz
Stay in Zao and Togatta Onsen for early starts to the Okama crater and Zao Fox Village, and end the day in a hot spring bath.
Affiliate link — if you book through Orbitz, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Tips for Visiting
- The Zao Echo Line closes for winter on November 4, 2026 at 17:00, and it closes every night from 17:00 to 8:00 in the late season.
- Check the Japan Meteorological Agency volcano alert level for Zao before visiting Okama.
- Zao Fox Village is closed on Wednesdays outside Golden Week and Obon, and there is no regular bus, so book a taxi from Shiroishi-Zao Station.
- Visit Naruko Gorge in late October or early November for peak foliage, and expect paid parking and crowds on weekends.
- A rental car makes it much easier to combine Okama, the fox village and Togatta Onsen in one trip.
Getting there by train: Shiroishi-Zao Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen is the gateway to Zao and the fox village; Yamabiko trains stop here, about 15 minutes south of Sendai. For Naruko Gorge, take the Shinkansen from Sendai to Furukawa and change to the JR Rikuu East Line for Naruko-Onsen. Sendai is about 90 minutes from Tokyo by Hayabusa, and Japan Rail Pass holders can ride Hayabusa and Yamabiko trains with a seat reservation. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, check whether the JR Pass is worth it, and see our guide from Narita and Haneda to Tokyo if you are flying in.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you visit Zao Okama?
On the Miyagi side, Okama is reached by the Zao Echo Line, which opened on April 24, 2026 and closes for winter on November 4, 2026 at 17:00. A weekend bus runs from Shiroishi-Zao Station from late April to early November.
Can you touch the foxes at Zao Fox Village?
No. The foxes can bite, so do not touch them, and feed them only in the designated feeding area with the food bags sold on site. In spring, holding a fox kit may be offered for an extra 400 yen.
How much is Zao Fox Village?
Entry is 1,500 yen for junior high age and up and free for younger children. The village is closed on Wednesdays, except during Golden Week and Obon.
Do trains still cross Naruko Gorge?
Not at the moment. The JR Rikuu East Line between Naruko-Onsen and Shinjo has been suspended since July 2024 and is expected to stay closed until at least 2027, but the gorge views and walking trail are open.
