Shimokita

A restful night had us ready to go north to the 'ax head' of Japan.  A very remote peninsula on the northern part of Honshu, it had been a place of interest to me after seeing some paintings of  gray cliffs on the western side of the island peninsula.  Our first stop however, was Osorezan or more commonly referred to as 'the gates of hell' to the Japanese.  Translated as "Fear Mountain", a name that comes in part from the mountain's exceptional landscape.  The area is rich in volcanic activity, and a strong sense of sulfur permeates the air.  The ground is gray and barren and marked by openings that steam, bubble and blow hot water.  Lake Usori, located next to the temple, is colored various shades of blue due to its high sulfur content.

The Japanese view this place as an entrance to the afterlife, because it features geographical elements similar to descriptions of Buddhist hell and paradise, including eight surrounding peaks and a river, Sanzu no Kawa, which is to be crossed by all dead souls on their way to afterlife.  It felt very ominous to be in this area, and though beautiful, I was ready to leave very quickly.

The bridge or 'Gate'

ominous gods

beautiful lake

Bodaiji Temple

food offerings

piles and piles of stones and pebbles, offerings to the god Jizo in the hope he will help their children gain access to paradise.  Heart breaking

shades of blue

steam vents

From here I headed to the Yagen valley via a dirt road highway hoping to relax in a onsen on the river.  The drive was beautiful but the children were not cooperating so we headed on to the cliffs.

Yagen Valley

Main highway

dirt road 

Hotokegaura are the wind carved cliffs that were a huge reason in bringing me up here.  The whole coast of this part of Japan was beautiful and despite a very long hike to the ocean was thoroughly enjoyed.

Enjoying the scenery

Hotokegaura cliffs

my girls

photo courtesy of Stanley

The LONG hike up and down

This caused mild concern...but no sightings

The late afternoon sun was starting to set so I set up the beds in the van and headed for the east coast of Japan.  The coast where the horrific tsunami of 2011 cost some 19 000 people their lives.  We stopped in for the night at a rest area, and were going to start home the next day.