Zao Echo Line Across the mountains, looking down on Okama in summer

I drove the Zao Echo Line to the Okama lookout and set off on foot from the car park. I’d come to see a crater lake, so of course I expected to find a lake. But the moment I spotted the water tucked deep in the mountain hollow, I stopped in my tracks.

It wasn’t just the lake; the crater walls were enormous, too. As my eyes followed the lines along the slopes, I found myself looking much farther than I’d expected. The Okama I knew from photos seemed to fill the whole mountain in front of me.

I rested my arms on the wooden rail and took my time looking down. The lake lay at the bottom of the crater, its still surface framed by the mountain walls circling it. I tried to say something, but all that came out was a quiet sigh.

Wind from the mountaintop tugged at my jacket and swept around my face. I’d come expecting summer weather because it was July, but up here the wind had other ideas. I drew my jacket closed, then rested my arms on the rail again; this time, I could take in the lake calmly.

I thought I’d take a photo and raised my camera. But as soon as Okama appeared on the screen, I wanted to look at it with my own eyes again. I love keeping photos, but I wanted to stay in the moment a little longer, so I lowered the camera.

Before heading back, I slowly took in everything from the lake to the crater walls. I was so happy to have reached a view like this after driving and walking the last stretch. Even on the way back to the car park, I slowed down a few times, replaying it in my head.