Mt. Osore Grand Festival

Itako come together to summon the spirits of the dead back into our world

Mt. Osore is Japan’s foremost sacred ground, located at the center of the Shimokita Peninsula on the southern tip of Honshu Island. Alongside with Mt. Hiei and Mt. Kouya, it is ranked as one of the top three sacred mountains of Japan. The rattling sounds of the windmill and the smell of sulfur hanging above the wild craggy areas create a picture of hell, while the white sandy beaches surrounding the lake appear to be paradise. 


Mt. Osore holds two grand festivals a year, in summer and autumn. Worshippers flock here from all parts of Japan to listen to the itako (female medium) no kuchiyose, a ritual that summons the spirits of the dead so that the living may converse and communicate with them as they did in life. 


At the grand festivals, in addition to a Buddhist memorial service and prayers that are usually held three times at 6:30, 11:00, and 14:00 only, a feeding rite for “hungry ghosts,” and prayers of the Daihannya sutra are also conducted. The highlight of the festival is the Sanshu-jozan-shiki, a rite held from 10:00 on 22 July. During this event, Buddhist monks and the head priest are carried around in a parade that stretches from Taikobashi bridge to the gate of the Bodaiji Temple. The head priest alights at the temple gates, and walks along the approach to Jizo-do, the main hall of the temple. 

General Information

Address
青森県むつ市田名部字宇曽利山
Prices
[Admission to Mt. Osorezan] Adults 500 yen, Elementary/junior high school students 200 yen
Opening Times
5:30 to 18:00
Directions
●About 45 minutes by bus from Shimokita Station on the JR Ominato Line
●About 35 minutes by bus from Mutsu Bus Terminal
Car Park
Yes
Date
July 20 to 24 and three-day weekend in early October every year
Venue
Bodaiji Temple, Mt. Osorezan

Contact

Contact
Mt. Osore Temple Office
Telephone Number
0175-22-3825

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