2025 Mutsu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

#helloautumn #localescapes Osorezan is a well known destination, and the temple is equipped with a modern overnight lodging that allows overnight guests to spend the night on the mountain, enjoy a vegetarian, alcohol-free dinner and breakfast and participate in the morning prayers. Both overnight and day visitors to the temple can use the hot spring baths located on the temple grounds. Walking paths crisscross Bodaiji's unique temple grounds, affording visitors plenty of opportunity to stroll around the site and take in the scenery. A walk along the shores of Lake Usori is recommended, although visitors should avoid the poisonous water.

Access: 1 hour by car from Shimokita Station on the JR Shimokita Line Address: 3-2 Usoriyama, Tanabe, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture Fee: 500 yen Rent a car at Shimokita Station, one stop before Ominato, the northernmost train station on Honshu, and drive for about an hour. As you climb the dimly lit mountain road where oncoming traffic rarely comes, the view suddenly opens up and the lake appears. This lake is called Lake Usoriyama. It is a caldera lake formed by a volcanic eruption. And the huge temple standing on the lakeside is Osorezan Bodaiji Temple. It is one of the three major sacred places in Japan where the dead are said to be resurrected. An eerily large temple. The ground is bare of vegetation due to the effects of the volcano, leaving only the bare rock surface (called hell). A windmill spinning eerily and dryly. The smell of sulfur envelops the area. The lake is so clear that it is just too beautiful. In any case, it's eerie and has a great atmosphere, so I think you should go there at least once. #DomesticTravel #Osorezan #Horror #Japan'sThreeBigHolySites #Aomori

●Location Mount Osore ●Access 35 minutes by bus from Shimokita Station on the JR Ominato Line The bus to Mount Osore departs 5-10 minutes after the JR Ominato Line arrives, according to operating hours ※Approximately 150 minutes by car from Aomori Station ●Points Did you know that Mount Osore, one of Japan's most sacred places, has heavenly scenery and hot springs? First of all, Osorezan is said to be the closest place to the afterlife, and many people from all over the country visit it as a place to remember their deceased loved ones. The grounds of Osorezan have a 3km long pilgrimage course, and there are 136 "Hells" made of volcanic rocks, representing the hells where people are punished for the sins they committed in this world. There are windmills here and there, but they are toys given by surviving parents to their children so that they can play in hell. The beautiful emerald green lake is also called Gokurakuhama. As for the secret hot spring, there are four bathhouses: one for men, one for women, one for alternating between men and women, and one for mixed bathing, and it is a little hot. There is hot spring water with a slight green hue at the bottom, and hot spring deposits have accumulated. Please avoid bathing for more than 10 minutes as it is a free-flowing spring with strong acidity. #Aomori #Osorezan #Amazing view #Hot spring #Secret hot spring #Amazing view

#EnjoyJapanAomori Prefecture is located in the northernmost part of the Tohoku region of Japan, and is known for its rich nature and deep cultural traditions. Below, we will introduce the charms of Aomori Prefecture and the particularly mysterious sacred place "Osorezan". ### **Overview of Aomori Prefecture** Aomori Prefecture is surrounded by the sea on three sides and has beautiful natural scenery such as the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Site, Lake Towada, and Oirase Gorge. Traditional festivals such as the Aomori Nebuta Festival and Hirosaki Sakura Festival are also famous and attract tourists. #### **Major Tourist Spots** 1. **Shirakami-Sanchi** The world's largest virgin beech forest spreads and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1993. In particular, "Aoike" is known for its mysterious blue lake water. 2. **Hirosaki Castle (Hirosaki Park)** One of Japan's leading cherry blossom viewing spots, with about 2,600 cherry trees blooming in spring. In addition, the Snow Lantern Festival is held in winter. 3. **Oirase Stream** This mountain stream flows out of Lake Towada, and the scenery is especially beautiful in the seasons of new greenery and autumn leaves. 4. **Aomori Nebuta Festival** This is one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region, held every August, and giant lanterns (nebuta) are paraded through the town. --- ### **Osorezan: One of Japan's Three Great Sacred Sites** Osorezan is one of the "Three Great Sacred Sites of Japan," along with Mount Hiei in Kyoto and Mount Koya in Wakayama, and is a sacred place where the souls of the dead are said to gather. #### **Characteristics of Osorezan** - **Scenery of Hell and Paradise** The sulfurous fumaroles and rough rocks represent "hell," while the white sand of "Gokurakuhama Beach" on the shore of Lake Usoriyama creates a beautiful contrast. - **Osorezan Bodaiji Temple** Founded by Jikaku Daishi in 862, this temple enshrines Enmei Jizo Bodhisattva. The temple grounds contain places symbolizing the afterlife, such as the "Sai no Kawara" and the "Sanzu River." - **Itako Shrine Maiden** During the Osorezan Festival and autumn worship, shrine maidens perform a ceremony to communicate with the spirits of the dead. - **Hot Springs** Sulfur springs out from Mount Osore, and there is a hot spring facility where worshippers can bathe for free. #### **Visiting Information** - **Opening Period**: May 1st to October 31st (closed in winter). - **Admission Fee**: 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students. - **Access**: About 45 minutes by bus from JR Shimokita Station. Aomori Prefecture is a fascinating region where nature and culture blend together, and Mount Osore in particular is a mysterious place that is said to be the "border between this world and the other world." It is recommended not only for those who are interested in history and religion, but also for those who want to enjoy unique scenery.

[Sunset at Mount Osore, Lake Usori, and Cape Oma, Shimokita Peninsula, Hotokegaura, Aomori] This is a record of our trip to Aomori, when we chartered a minibus as a group and watched the sunset at Mount Osore, Lake Usori, and Cape Oma, Shimokita Peninsula. We recommend that you go there in a mentally healthy state, with respect and caution towards places with spiritual legends. When we went there in August, the spiritual atmosphere from people was not strong, and it was easy to accept the environment as an outdoor activity. There are active volcanoes in every country, but as an example of a Japanese volcano, we can also recommend this place to those who like observing mountains. Osorezan in Shimokita Peninsula Quasi-National Park, Aomori Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: Mountain climbing season: May 1st to the end of October 6:00-18:00 *Entry reception closes at 16:30 Closed: November to the end of April (Open every year between May 1st and October 31st) 💰Price per person: Adults 700 yen, elementary and junior high school students 200 yen Groups 400 yen (20 or more people per group) Access: About 40 minutes by car from JR Shimokita Station 📍Location: 3-2 Usoriyama, Tanabe, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture As I walked around the places named after hell and heaven from the temple grounds as guided, I heard the sound of the wind rattling the many windmills that pilgrims had inserted into the rocks, the sound of the straight wind hitting the rocks, the cold air, and the sunlight passing through the gaps in my hair. Along with Mount Hiei and Mount Koya, Mount Osore is one of the three most sacred mountains in Japan. Locals have long said that when people die, they go to Mount Osore. The sacred grounds, surrounded by the outer rim of the mountain, are a cut-off place that cannot be seen from the outside. When you cross the drum bridge over the Sanzu River and enter the sacred area, a landscape that resembles the world of the afterlife spreads before your eyes. Gokurakuhama, with its beauty reminiscent of the Pure Land, Jigokudani, with its sulfurous smell, the desolate Hell of Inferno, and Pond of Blood Hell... At Sai no Kawara, there are stones piled up by parents to mourn their young child who passed away, and a windmill spinning around, creating a melancholy atmosphere. Mount Osore Bodaiji Temple was founded in 862. It is said that Ennin, the founder of the temple, was guided by a prophecy in a dream and founded Mount Osore Bodaiji Temple in Shimokita at the end of his journey to preach his teachings to various countries. During the "Osorezan Grand Festival" held every year from July 20th to 24th, and the "Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage" held during the long weekend in early October, many people line up to hear messages from the afterlife from shrine maidens called "Itako," who call out the spirits of the dead. ' There are also events in which "Itako" spirit mediums can hear messages from ancestors and deceased family members, or exorcise evil spirits that have possessed the client and help them attain enlightenment, and there are also self-proclaimed fortune tellers in the fortune telling market, but only a limited number of people who were born in this area of ​​Aomori Prefecture to a lineage of Itakos and have trained and studied since childhood are allowed to play the role of Itako. It is a pilgrimage destination for various purposes, such as mourning children and those affected by natural disasters, and is a base for travelers from all over the country, including the Tohoku region and Hokkaido. Hot Springs: Please bring your own swimsuit and towel. The facilities are simple and not a place to wash your body, but you can recover from fatigue in the sulfur baths. Lake Usori Lake Usori, which appears shallow at first glance and has a clear emerald-colored surface, can be reached by walking around the area within the grounds of Mount Osore. The water is highly acidic, which separates living creatures, and only one species of fish can live there, the Japanese dace. This caldera lake was formed by the eruption of Mount Tsurugi in the Osorezan mountain range. There are a dozen or so rivers that flow into the outer rim, but only one river flows out of it, the Shozu River, which flows into the Tsugaru Strait. The outer rim consists of eight peaks: Mount Keito, Mount Jizo, Mount Tsurugi, Mount Ojin, Mount Kojin, Mount Hokkoku, Mount Byobu, and Mount Kamafusa. Lake Usori and the outer rim are collectively called Mount Osore. The northeastern part of the lake is within the precincts of the sacred Mount Osore, where hot springs bubble up and volcanic gas and steam erupt from places. Mount Osore is designated as an active volcano. Omazaki, Shimokita Peninsula: Watch the waves crashing at the northernmost point of Honshu. There are also various monuments. Hotokegaura On the drive back, we saw the sun at its largest when it set. It was similar to the intensity of the light when watching the sunset at the twelve apostles from the coast in Victoria, Australia. #DomesticTravelTactics #Spring0YenTrip #MyTravelPlanBestSpots2014Aomori

It's just under 30 minutes by car from Mutsu city on a well-maintained, beautiful mountain road. When the ghost craze was happening on the TV show "A World You Don't Know," which is well known to those of the Showa generation, you can imagine that Mount Osore was a scary place even for children, with a desolate landscape and a medium who would speak to the voices of the dead through spirit mediums. It would be unthinkable for me to come all the way to Mutsu city on the Shimokita Peninsula and not visit Mount Osore, so I came here early in the morning. The weather was amazing, and the temple was surprisingly well-maintained. Even though the scenery was bleak with stonework everywhere that smelled of sulfur, the mountains behind were beautiful with autumn leaves🍁, so it didn't feel ominous😊 Temple name: Osorezan Bodaiji Main image: Enmei Jizo Bodhisattva Founder: Jikaku Daishi Ennin Main temple: Soto Zen sect Entsuji A sacred place opened by Jikaku Daishi Ennin 1200 years ago, with mountains surrounding Lake Usori, the rocky area where volcanic gas spews is likened to hell, and the white sand beach surrounding the lake is likened to paradise. It is a place of faith and prayer where people come to mourn the souls of their loved ones and remember the faces of the deceased. It was good weather and there weren't many people early in the day, so we were able to take our time going around the route. In some places, people were building stonework and windmills, and I also built stonework and prayed to my husband and ancestors. When I got a goshuin at the shrine office, an old man said to me, "If you have time, you should come to the hot spring ♨️, it's free," so there's no way a hot spring lover wouldn't go 😆 The warm water of the sulfur spring No one came in, so I had it all to myself to warm up 😊 #Osorezan #Autumn leaves 🍁 season #Free hot springs at sacred sites are the best ♨️ #Shimokita Peninsula #Misawa Airport #A trip to meet people #Aomori is a great place

Osorezan, the closest place to the afterlife, where the landscapes of hell and paradise spread out before you. Crossing the drum bridge over the Sanzu River and entering the sacred area, you will see a landscape reminiscent of the afterlife, with stones piled up and sulfur gas spewing out from various places. Gokurakuhama, with its beauty reminiscent of the Pure Land, Jigokudani, where the smell of sulfur hangs over, the desolate Muken Jigoku, and Chi no Ike Jigoku... At Sai no Kawara, there are stones piled up by parents to mourn their deceased young child, and a spinning windmill, giving off a sense of sadness. ◆Free hot springs Hot springs with the smell of sulfur bubble up. There are four bathhouses within the sacred area, and worshippers can bathe for free, but please note that there are mixed baths and men and women can switch between baths! They are also closed in winter, so please check the official website! #0yentravelautumn

⭐Spot Highlights: Osorezan Bodaiji Temple is a sacred site located on the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture. It has long been known as one of Japan's three major sacred sites. The desolate landscape, with its sulfur-scented hot springs and gray rocky terrain, creates a unique atmosphere. Osorezan is said to be a gathering place for the souls of the deceased, offering visitors a sense of holy tranquility and mystery. ❤Recommended Points: The charm of Osorezan Bodaiji Temple lies in its otherworldly scenery. The contrast between the hellish landscape and the small flowers blooming there is striking. Additionally, the main hall and statues of the Six Jizo welcome worshippers. The temple grounds also feature hot springs, allowing visitors to relax and rejuvenate both body and mind after their visit. The annual Osorezan Festival in July attracts many visitors, who can fully experience the sacred atmosphere. 🚌Access: It takes about 40 minutes by bus from JR Shimokita Station to Osorezan, or about 40 minutes by car. Since public transportation is limited, renting a car is convenient. ❗Useful Information: Osorezan is at a high altitude and often has low temperatures, so it is recommended to bring warm clothing even in summer. The temple grounds are extensive, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. Be cautious as sulfur springs can damage clothing and metal items. 🛒Shopping: Near Osorezan Bodaiji Temple, there are shops selling amulets, prayer beads, and local souvenirs. Bath salts made from the hot spring water of Osorezan and items symbolizing the sacred site are particularly popular.

The Spirit Mountain, the Gate to the Underworld at Osorezan (恐山) This is one of the three sacred mountains in Japan. Mount Osore is located in Aomori Prefecture. The Japanese believe that this is the gate to the underworld. It is a place where the spirits of the deceased will travel. Mount Osore is famous for its "Itako" (Itako) or as Thais know it as, "mediums".. Who can be a medium between the world of the living and the world of the dead Through strict training, they can summon and communicate with spirits from the afterlife. There is also Jigoku Meguri or what is called Hell Tour This is a travel plan of Osorezan too! This is located on Shimokita Island (下北半島) Which is the center of a lake that has erupted And exploded long ago until it looks like an island And in the valley area by the lake There is emerald green water White sand beaches that remind you of heaven With a strong smell of sulfur Including a well Contaminated with sulfur to the point of being red or yellow Although it is a very beautiful atmosphere But it also has a strange creepy feel to it. Oh! . Places of interest • Osorezan Bodaiji Temple • Gokurakuhama Heavenly Beach • Reisen Holy Spring • Usoriyama Lake • Chi-no-Ike Hell • Toboku Hell • Mugen Hell • Kanehori Hell . • How to get there From Shimokita Station, take the Osorezan bus And get off at Osorezan. It takes about 45 minutes by car. . Osorezan is open from May to October. Opening hours vary depending on the season. The admission fee is 500 yen/person.

This is my favorite place to visit when I travel to Bangkok. The beer tastes similar to our country's Yeokjeonhalmaek. They serve cool ice beer in a cold glass, so it washes away the heat of Southeast Asia. They have a variety of small snacks, so it's a good place to come alone. #TravelSupportEvent

#日本必去打卡点 Mount Osore is located in Mutsu Bay, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan. About 1,200 years ago, Master Jikaku Ennin opened up a sacred place and founded a temple named Osorezan. When he was practicing in China, he had a dream in which he received enlightenment from Buddha. Guided by this Buddhist instruction, Ennin traveled to various countries, preaching and teaching. When he visited the Shimokita Peninsula in today's Aomori Prefecture, a magical mountain appeared before his eyes that could be called a sacred mountain. So he carved a statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva there and revered it as the main Buddha of the temple. The area is centered on Lake Usori and is surrounded by eight mountains: Kamawasan, Daijinsan, Kojinsan, Hokukokusan, Byoungsan, Kensan, Jizosan, and Ketosan. Its shape is like eight blooming lotus petals. The bizarre and jagged rock patterns from erupting volcanic gases present a hellish scene, while the white sandy beaches by the lake are like paradise. For thousands of years, people have held the simple belief that "when a person dies, he must go to Mount Fear." Before coming here, I really couldn't imagine that there was such a place in Japan, and that it was the location of a temple. Just based on this unique landform, Mount Osore is a place worth visiting in Japan. #OverseasTravel #Japan #JapanTravel #JapanAttractions #JapanGoodPlaces #JapanTravelStrategy #AomoriPrefecture #Bay #Temple #Buddhism

#helloautumn #timetotravel Osorezan is also known as the entrance to afterlife, because it features geographical elements similar to descriptions of Buddhist hell and paradise, including eight surrounding peaks and a river, Sanzu no Kawa, which has to be crossed by all dead souls on their way to afterlife and is often compared to the River Styx of ancient Greek mythology.

#timetotravel Mount Osorezan (恐山) is ranked along with Koyasan and Hieizan as one of Japan's three most sacred places. It was discovered over 1000 years ago by a Buddhist priest in search of a sacred mountain that resembles the world of Buddha. Today, it is the site of Bodaiji Temple. Osorezan is translated as "Fear Mountain", a name that comes in part from the mountain's exceptional landscape. The area is rich in volcanic activity, and a strong smell of sulfur permeates the air. The ground is gray and barren and marked by openings that steam, bubble and blow hot water. Lake Usori, located next to the temple, is colored various shades of blue due to its high sulfur content.