Osorezan (Mount Osore)

What to know

Mount Osorezan (Osorezan) is one of Japan's three holiest sites, alongside Koyasan and Hieizan. Discovered over a thousand years ago by a Buddhist monk seeking a mountain that mirrored the world of Buddha, it now houses Bodaiji Temple.

The name Osorezan means "Fear Mountain," inspired by its otherworldly landscape. Volcanic activity dominates the area, with a strong sulfur smell, gray barren ground, and steaming vents that bubble and spout hot water. Nearby Lake Usori shimmers in shades of blue due to its high sulfur content.

Osorezan is considered the gateway to the afterlife, as its geography mirrors Buddhist descriptions of hell and paradise. It features eight surrounding peaks and the Sanzu no Kawa River, which all dead souls must cross—often compared to the River Styx in Greek mythology.

Among the souls attempting to cross are those of deceased children and unborn babies, who build pebble piles along the riverbed (Sai no Kawara) to reach the other side. They are aided by Jizo, a beloved Japanese Buddhist bodhisattva who protects them from evil demons trying to destroy the piles.

Statues of Jizo are common throughout Osorezan, along with stone and pebble piles. Parents of dead children offer pebbles to Jizo, hoping he will use them to help their children enter paradise. Brightly colored toy windmills are another frequent offering seen around the grounds.

Each year, Bodaiji's festival (July 20–24) draws mourners and those seeking to contact lost loved ones through mediums called Itako. These blind women undergo rigorous spiritual training, performing three months of purification rituals before the event and entering deep trances during the festival.