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Mount Osore

Mount Osore (恐山 Osorezan) is a temple and miniature wasteland in the middle of the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori, Japan.

Culture and History

According to Japanese tradition, Mount Osore — literally "Dread Mountain" — is the gateway to Hell, where souls pause on their way to the underworld. A barren volcanic wasteland of howling winds and bubbling sulphur pits, the origin of the legend is easy to understand.

Mount Osore is not an actual mountain, but the area is surrounded by a number of picturesque peaks.

When to go

The temple is only open to the public from May 1st to October 31st, before the harsh winter sets in. The whole area of interest is within the temple compound which closes early (probably at 19 o'clock) so make sure you arrive in time.

Travel to Mount Osore, visa requirements

Most visitors arrive by bus from Mutsu. A rarely-used road (not served by public transport) also links to the Yagen Valley.

Another alternative is to hitchhike to the temple from Mutsu; locals should be able to point out the access road, which is marked by signs in only a few scattered places. During vacation periods, traffic to the temple is fairly heavy and finding a ride is not too difficult.

Get around

Your only option for getting around is on foot.

Mount Osore attractions and sightseeing

Bodaiji Temple (菩提寺, also referred to as Entsuji), run by the Soto Zen sect, is built around a number of volcanic cauldrons (Jp. jigoku, literally "hells"), bubbling in all sorts of unnatural shades from canary yellow to blood red. There are also many, many offerings to the souls of the dead scattered around the area, including tiny Jizo statues wearing bibs and piles of pebbles built (or so they say) by the souls of children who died before their parents. Entrance to the temple costs ¥500 (including a dip in the baths, see Do).

The small Sanzu River (三途の川 sanzu no kawa) is the Japanese equivalent of the river Styx. The river is crossed by a picturesque arched red bridge which souls have to cross to escape.

Lake Usoriyama (宇曽利山湖), by the temple and the sink of the river, is a volcanic crater with (on a sunny day) an almost deceptively attractive-looking white sand beach... but the water, full of sulfuric runoff, is far too poisonous to sustain any life.

City tours

Take a free dip in the holy (if somewhat stinky) waters in the bathhouses right after the temple entrance.

The rather somber Osorezan Taisai (恐山大祭) festival is held between July 20 and 24. During the festival, traditional mediums known as itako, all blind women, channel the spirits of dead people (kuchiyose) to relatives.

Buy, Eat & Drink

There are a number of small restaurants and souvenir shops outside the temple.

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

The temple offers lodging for pilgrims (¥10000-15000 with meals), tel. 0175-22-3825. However, unless you like the pervasive smell of rotten eggs, you might wish to stay in Mutsu or Yagen instead.

Stay safe

Due to intense volcanic activity sulphur dioxide and other gases are abundant, so the entire area smells like rotten eggs. Soil near some of the cauldrons may not be stable, and the liquids inside are literally boiling. Heed the warning signs, do not cross the ropes, and head out if you start to get a headache or feel sick.

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