Mount Osore, Sacred volcanic mountain in Mutsu, Japan
Mount Osore is an active volcano and sacred mountain in Mutsu whose peak rises to 879 meters and forms a caldera three kilometers across. At the center lies Lake Usori, its shores lined with steaming sulfur vents that emerge between white sand beaches and barren rock formations.
The Buddhist monk Ennin founded the Bodai-ji temple complex on the volcano in 862 and transformed the harsh landscape into a place of religious devotion. Since then, the site has drawn believers who come here to seek contact with deceased relatives.
The name Osorezan means Fear Mountain and reflects the traditional belief that souls of the departed pass through this place on their journey to the afterlife. Visitors find small stone piles along the pathways built by pilgrims in memory of children and decorated with colorful pinwheels.
Buses run from May through October from Shimokita Station to the temple grounds entrance and make the journey to this remote area easier. Paths lead over level ground around the lake but can become tiring due to sulfur fumes and rocky terrain.
The sulfur springs heat natural baths on the grounds and produce a sharp smell that contributes to the Buddhist vision of the underworld. The juxtaposition of desolate rock fields and peaceful sandy shores embodies the duality of suffering and salvation within a single walk.
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