Mt. Osore (Osorezan)

Venture Into the Buddhist Maw of Hell

Gather ‘round folks. For today’s article, I have something really special to introduce to you. I’ll be taking you on a journey far, far up north to the furthest reaches of Aomori Prefecture’s Shimokita Peninsula. Together we’ll explore a place that has often been described as the physical incarnate of hell on earth, at least as the Buddhists see it. Known as Mt. Osore (or “Osorezan” in Japanese), this holy site ranks among the top three sacred locations in all of Japan along with Mt. Koya and Mt. Hiei. The remote peak has long been home to an array of hearty Buddhist adherents who have been congregating here for well over a millennium.

Let’s start with a bit of geography. For those not aware, Aomori is the northernmost prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu. Though not as north as the island of Hokkaido, it is still well up there. Now Aomori is shaped almost like the letter “W” with two peninsulas on its eastern and western sides. Mt. Osore resides on the eastern side of the prefecture on Shimokita Peninsula, an area which is often said to be shaped like an axe. It has a long “handle” followed by a thick upper portion where the “blade” would sit. This section of the peninsula is both extremely isolated and very mountainous. As such, train access only extends up to where the head and handle of the proverbial axe…