Osoresan: aka “Mount Fear”

Osoresan is located in the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori. According to myth, it marks the entrance to Hell. It is also known as the Japanese equivalent to Styx".

When you first arrive, you can’t help but notice the smell of sulfur. Though it did bother me at first, after a while I couldn’t smell it anymore. There are certain sections where the water near the rocks will be bubbling or there will be a pile of steaming rocks.  Osoresan is considered a pilgrimage. Though the path is not very long, it takes you through purgatory, hell, blood hell, and finally heaven. When we first arrived, it was sunny out, by the time we were halfway through it started raining. We were soaked!

Along the rocky path, you will find many statues, some covered with a kerchief  or bib, and maybe money or food in front of it. These statues represent babies that died. People clothe them to ease the pain of their loss. Also, there is a legend that a poor old man went to visit some statues but he didn’t have any money to offer. Instead, he took off his hat and scarf and clothed the statues. When he went home, there were gifts waiting for him. (Supposedly from the grateful spirits (statues) ).
   When we got to this building it was absolutely pouring outside. There were some people inside and an old man kept inviting us in. We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside, but there were clothes and shoes lining the edges and an alter with money and food. The old man went to the alter and picked up a bag of oranges and handed them to me. I was quite surprised. I asked him with what little Japanese I know if I was supposed to eat them and he said yes. I thanked him and was on my way. I still have the oranges and I’m terrified to eat them, actually. I know they were offered to some spirit. (Mind you, the section where this building was was “Blood Hell".) I know sometimes when people offer food to a spirit, they will eat it afterward.
Osoresan was really very interesting. It takes about 4 hours to get there from base. I apologize for not giving directions, but we went there from Cape Shiriyazaki, so I don’t have a direct route. I also  forgot to mention that they also have an onsen there. (Which probably also smells of sulfur) and there is a restaurant and small gift shop.
We left Osoresan soaked and cold from the rain. Will I ever return? Perhaps only the spirits know for sure.

Directions: Exit base out POL/Falcon Gate.
- Turn left at the first light.
- You can either continue east on this road until it merges into Hwy. 338,
or take a left at the second light at the Circle K. This will eventually intersect with Hwy. 338 at the top of Lake Ogawara
- Turn left onto Hwy. 338 and head north. You will drive through the nuclear plant at Rokkasho and along the rocky coastline of Higashidori.
- Continue on to Mutsu City
- In Mutsu, look for signs to Osorezan. This will be route 4. Once you start on route 4, the road climbs quite a bit before dropping down to Osorezan.
- There is ample parking. The entrance fee is 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for kids. It includes the temples and entire grounds.

Yasuragisoo Pottery.

This one is for all you artsy folk out there. ^_~  Unbeknownst to many Misawa locals, there is a place to do pottery right outside the base! You can literally see North Base towers from here! Anyway, for 500 yen you get 1kg of clay. (which is a lot). I got 1/2 kg of clay and ended up making 2 cups. They have electric pottery wheels and wheels that you  need to spin with your hand. English speakers beware though, they don’t speak much English and if you decide to make something, you will have to go back several times. I just went back for the second time and I  have to wait until the end of November for it to be fired and to choose a glaze and have it refired.

In the same “plaza” shall I say? There is a senior club where they play golf and an onsen. The onsen is the cheapest in Aomori. The going rate is 100 yen! Unbelivable!

You have to bring your own soap and other onsen materials though. There is a restaurant inside and many rooms with tatami mats that you can just go in, rest, read a book, hang out. FOR FREE! Its pretty neat! You can also rent a tatami room AND they have lodging. 



Directions to Yasuragisoo Pottery:

Go out the POL Gate and turn left at the first stoplight.
Follow the road to the 2nd stoplight. There is a Circle-K convenience store on the right at this intersection. Turn left here.
Turn left at the 2nd stoplight. You will be heading directly for the North Area towers.

Travel about 1km on this road and turn right. (sorry, the sign is in Japanese and I don’t know how to write it here. :(  )

Onsens: Komaki and Hirahata

a pretty path near the park

For many non-Japanese, the thought of bathing in the nude with other people around doesn't seem very pleasant. But if you would like to give it a try, I say go for it! I, too, was a little shy my first time at an onsen (which wasn't in Japan) but once you realize there is nothing to be embarrassed or feel weird about, it is quite enjoyable!

Komaki Onsen is a resort in Misawa. You can rent a room there, just look around the park, or just go there to use the Onsen. There is an outdoor pool with a really beautiful view, a cold pool, and two indoor pools, one hot and one tepid. There is also a sauna. You can also sign up for a membership program with the onsen which is free and you get a discount card which you can use for the onsen (10% discount) and the restaurant (5% discount). Membership has no expiration. You can also rent a face or bath towel for 100 yen each.

an Aomori style float downstairs near the onsen

The koi fish follow you if you clap your hands!

The prices for baths at Komaki vary depending on the day and time. Non-members pay 1200 yen from 8am-11pm. Members pay 700 yen on Sundays from 8am-3pm and weekdays from 3pm-5pm and Saturdays 8am-3pm. 500yen weekdays from 8am-3pm and 900 yen on Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm-11pm.

one of the tatami rooms at the restaurant

Directions to Komaki Onsen: Come out from the main gate and turn right at the second stop light. Follow the road and pass 7 stop lights. You will find Misawa Train station on your left. Passing the station you will see a big sign with their hot bath picture on your left side. That is the sign of the Komaki Resort.

Hirahata Onsen

table in the lobby

Outside the window at the lobby

If the onsen still sounds too expensive to you, you can try Hirahata Onsen instead. If you go out the POL gate and take a left it is down that road somewhere. (Sorry, I will update with better directions later) The parking lot is also a bit hidden. Here, a bath is only 300 yen. Granted, it isn't as "pretty" as Komaki, you still get to experience and onsen. They have a small outdoor pool, a hot pool, a warm pool, an electric pool and a sauna.