Osorezan: Peak Colors

By Stefan SchauweckerOctober 25, 2018

Osorezan, lit. "Fear Mountain", is one of Japan's most spiritual spots. Located on the remote Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, this volcanic mountain is as close as you can get to the afterlife, and many people visit the temple to seek contact with lost ones. At the center of the mountain lies Usoriko, a blue-colored, highly acidic lake, and Bodaiji Temple, the only human-made structures in the area.

Because of the severe winters, Bodaiji Temple closes every year from November through April. So, one week before its winter closure, I stayed overnight at Bodaiji's temple lodging and checked out the local autumn colors. Surrounding the temple on all sides, the colors were at their best today, and I expect them to remain spectacular until the temple's closure on October 31.

Seeing the blue lake with its white shores, surrounded by eight peaks covered in autumn colors, I gained a certain understanding for why Ennin, the temple's founder, recognized this remote corner of the world as the Buddhist paradise about 1200 years ago.

The temple grounds and surroundings are volcanically active, and there is a constant smell of sulfur

The temple grounds seen from behind the Jizodo Hall

Wind mills for the souls of lost children and unborns

Stone mountains to help deceased children to cross the Sanzu River into paradise

The Jizo Bodhisattva helps children to reach paradise

Sulfuric vents are found here and there around the temple grounds

It takes about an hour to explore the grounds of Bodaiji Temple at a leisurely pace

Gender-segregated hot spring bath huts are located on the temple grounds (included in the admission fee)

The bath water is highly acidic and sulfuric

Staying overnight at the temple lodging allows you to see the temple after dark

Road leading to the Osorezan Observation Deck

Osorezan Observation Deck, a ten minute drive from the temple

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