[Aomori Prefecture] One corner of Japan's 3rd generation Sacred Ground in Mutsu City, "Osoreyama"

Mount Osore is a sacred mountain located in Tanabu, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, and is considered one of the "Three Great Sacred Sites of Japan,"

Mount Osore is an outer rim of a volcano that towers over Lake Usori, a caldera lake formed by ancient volcanic activity. Due to these topographical features, the area is covered with rugged, exposed rock faces, naturally gushing hot springs, and the strong smell of sulfur permeates the air

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One of Japan's three major sacred sites

For these reasons, Mount Osore has long been likened to the afterlife where the dead go, and has been revered as a place of faith where memorial services for the dead can be held

The center of faith at Mount Osore is a temple called Bodaiji temple .

This temple is said to have been founded in the early Heian period by Ennin, the founder of the Tendai sect, who carved and enshrined a statue of Jizo Bodhisattva after receiving a revelation in a dream. It has since become a center of mountain worship for the Tendai sect

Entsu-ji Temple, on the other hand, was founded by a Soto Zen monk under the patronage of the Nanbu clan, who ruled the area from their castle in Neshiro, Hachinohe City. It restored Osorezan Bodai-ji Temple, which had fallen into decline due to war, and it came to be recognized as the main temple thereafter

Within the current grounds of Osorezan Bodaiji Temple, Sai no Kawara Chi no Ike Jigoku pregnant women who have died are commemorated.Around these spots, you can see windmills, memorial tablets, and many other offerings brought by bereaved families for the memorial service.

Surrounding Lake Usori Gokurakuhama , a place that exudes calm amidst the desolate landscape reminiscent of hell.

In addition to the main hall where Jizo Bodhisattva is enshrined, the temple grounds also have several medicinal baths where worshippers are free to soak in the hot springs. During the summer festival and autumn pilgrimage period at Mount Osore, itako, or spiritual mediums, gather to perform kuchiyose (speaking spirit mediumship) in a hut to summon the spirits of the dead

Osorezan＜Information＞

• Name: Osorezan
• Address: Ohatacho, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, 039-4401
• Phone number: -
• Official URL: -

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