Mount Osore, literally translated as "Mountain of Fear," serves as a place of prayer in Japan's indigenous Buddhism, attracting many who come to mourn the deceased. Said to have been opened in the 9th century, this site, with its exposed rocky surfaces and constant sulfur emissions, is often likened to hell in Buddhist teachings.
It is also renowned for the gathering of shamans known as "Itako," who speak the words of the dead. Presently, these shamans gather here only in October.
Located deep in the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture, visiting this place requires about an hour on a special seasonal bus departing from the nearest JR station.
#japan #pilgrimage #osorezan #walk #aomori