[Aomori Prefecture] Mount Osore, one of Japan's three major sacred sites, located in Mutsu City

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

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 worship at Mount Osore isBodaijia temple calledTemple.

This temple is said to have been founded in the early Heian period when Jikaku Daishi Ennin, guided by a dream, carved and enshrined a statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, and ita center of mountain worship within the Tendai secthas since become

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 grounds of the current Osorezan Bodaiji Temple,Sai-no-Kawarapregnant women who died are commemorated.Chi-no-ike JigokuAround these spots, you can see windmills, memorial tablets, and various other offerings brought by bereaved families for memorial purposes.

Lake UsoriArounda sandybeach called Gokuraku-hama (Paradise Beach), a tranquil spot amidst the desolate landscape that evokes images 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

Mount Osore <Information>

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

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