Spring Water of Osorezan

Osorezan is well known as one of the three major holy sites or hallowed grounds in Japan and was established by Jikakutaishi of Tendai Buddhism in 862. It's located in the Shimokita Peninsula Quasi-National Park.

There’s an approach to Osorezan from the city central of Mutsu. On the way of 14km from the city to Osorezan, there’s spring water welling from the natural cypress forest.

You can drink this spring water, also called “spiritual water” or “ever-young water”, at the bus stop “Reisui (Cold water)”. The bus waits for few minutes while passengers who are going to Osorezan drink water (this stop service isn’t available for the bus of reverse direction).

Visitors (pilgrims) to Osorezen are to wash their hands, rinse the mouth to purify themselves here, and this place is said to be the border of the spirit world

and the secular world.

 

It takes about 30 min. to get to the bus stop "Reisui" from JR Shimokita Station and costs 750 yen. The bus service is not available from November 1 to April 30.

☆Aomori Sightseeing Guide “apti net” → http://en.aptinet.jp/

Indicate Osorezan Cold Water in a larger map.

Grazing Horses

In Shiriyazaki (Cape Shiriya), located at the eastern-tip of Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture, there’re about 30 grazing horses called “Kandachime”. “Kan” means cold weather, “dachi” means standing and “me” means horse.

Red sign indicates Shiriyazaki.

Horses and Shiriya Lighthouse

Those horses used to hold an important position in farming that people preferred their physical strength and patience against cold weather and poor food, and also their sustaining power and obedient character were preferable.

They stay in Shiriyazaki from May to October, and in winter time, from November to April, they spend winter months in the wintering field called “Ataka”, 2.5 km south from Shiriyazaki.

Platinum blond?

This colt was born in May.

Very gentle

Twins

Kandachime and Shiriyazaki are designated as Natural Treasure of Aomori Prefecture.

Transportation: get on Shimokita Kotsu Bus (Shiriya Line) at Mutsu Bus 
                      Terminal, and get off at Shiriyazaki (1 hour), and approx.
                      20-minute walk to the lighthouse.


Aomori Sightseeing Guide "aptinet":  http://en.aptinet.jp/