【ひとり旅】青森の北端、恐山や仏ヶ浦などまるで異世界のような下北半島を巡る旅。【青森観光】｜尻屋崎灯台｜恐山｜下北半島｜釜臥山 / Japan travel, Waliking in Aomori.

【ひとり旅】青森の北端、恐山や仏ヶ浦などまるで異世界のような下北半島を巡る旅。【青森観光】｜尻屋崎灯台｜恐山｜下北半島｜釜臥山 / Japan travel, Waliking in Aomori.

I visited a peninsula that felt like another world. Welcoming us were endless blue skies and a vast blue sea. Crystal clear air and ocean stretched as far as the eye could see. Immerse yourself in the great nature of Aomori and enjoy this video at your leisure. Before me was a lake filled with the scent of sulfur. As the sky began to brighten, I arrived at this place. “Mt. Osore Bodai-ji Temple” The air was heavy, weighed down by an eerie presence. No wonder—this is one of Japan’s three major sacred sites. It’s said to be the boundary between this world and the next. The evenly lined lanterns seemed to guide me into another realm. Without stopping, I walked toward the main hall. Magnificent… Standing firm against the mountain backdrop, it exuded solemnity. The cloudy morning only heightened my sense of unease. To the left lay a rugged, barren land. Osorezan is a volcanic area. Here and there, cooled lava was exposed. Let’s climb up the hill. Vegetation was sparse throughout the area. The ground nearby was monotone. Perhaps the toxic elements typical of volcanic zones are hindering plant growth. Windmills were stuck into the rocks here and there. They spun with a dry clattering sound. Maybe the wind from these windmills helps guide the dead to peace. Osorezan Bodaiji was founded in the year 862. It was later burned down and rebuilt into its current form. However, records of Osorezan’s history were lost to war and disaster. So it’s unclear how accurate the information passed down today really is. Still, the faith rooted in this land and the unique nature that shapes its atmosphere are real. It’s undoubtedly been a sacred place since ancient times. Smoke was rising in several spots. It was volcanic gas escaping through cracks in the rocks. The sulfuric smell in the air seemed to come from this. Smoke rising from the desolate land looked like something out of the apocalypse. Gradually, the clouds cleared and the morning sun began to appear. In the distance, the sun peeked out and cast rays that made the mountains glow white. The morning dew shimmered in the soft light, revealing its transparent beauty. As it got brighter, the eerie landscape turned nostalgic. The rising smoke began to resemble gentle incense. In the distance, a green mirror reflected the grandeur of nature. Let’s walk toward that lake. I haven’t visited many rocky areas where volcanic gas escapes like this. But I do remember the Shiga-Kusatsu Highland Drive Route. As the name suggests, it connects Shiga Highlands and Kusatsu Onsen, offering stunning views. Along the way, there’s an area where hydrogen sulfide escapes just like here. The first time I saw it, I was overwhelmed by the barren scenery. It seems this river connects to the lake I saw in the distance. At first glance, it looked like a clear, pristine river. But in reality, it was highly acidic water infused with volcanic gas. Yellow patterns representing sulfur were scattered everywhere. Beautiful, yet harsh for any living creature to survive. Along the way, I came across a shrine. Nearby was a place where many stones were stacked. It’s said that parents who lost young children stack them in mourning. I haven’t experienced that sorrow myself, so I can only imagine. But hearing that people come here seeking comfort, makes me feel that what lingers here isn’t eeriness, but a deep sense of compassion embracing everything. “Gokuraku-hama Beach of Lake Usori” I arrived at a stunningly beautiful beach. To think such a pristine beach lies beyond those rocky cliffs😶 It felt like another world, different from the rocky terrain. I can understand why people long ago considered this place sacred. Perhaps because the lake is shallow, the blue sky and mountains reflect vividly. I couldn’t help but gasp in awe. It’s hard to believe such a calm lake is actually highly acidic… Looking closely, water striders were gliding peacefully. Apparently, pH levels don’t concern them. There were many windmills spinning on the beach too. These windmills seem to symbolize offerings to the dead. Especially for young children, they’re said to be placed with the hope that they can play with them in the afterlife. Since volcanic gas is widespread here, open flames are prohibited, so perhaps they also serve as a substitute for incense. This place seems to show different expressions depending on the weather. I’m glad I could bask in the warm, compassionate atmosphere on a sunny day. Not just the lake, but even the ground was tinted yellow from sulfur. Beyond the autumn-colored earth rose towering cumulonimbus clouds. My goal this summer is to witness a truly impressive cumulonimbus cloud, but maybe I haven’t gone out enough—I haven’t seen one yet. I once saw a scene of endless rice fields and a straight road, with cumulonimbus clouds rising at the end—it was long ago. I just can’t forget that view, and I’ve always wanted to see it again. I hope I get to see it this year☁️ I climbed a rugged, dusty hill. From there, I could see the entire Osorezan Bodaiji complex. Right next to the temple was a desolate land, and beside that, a healing lake. It’s a location that truly evokes the afterlife. There was even a place where water was bubbling vigorously. Outside of hot spring areas, that’s a rare sight—very refreshing. Turns out there’s a hot spring here too, with plenty of sulfur-rich water. It was too hot to enter this time, but I bet it’s perfect in colder seasons. In the distance, I saw a bridge over the Sanzu River. Crossing it would mean saying goodbye to Osorezan. At first, I felt a bit scared, but gradually my misunderstanding faded. I’m glad I got to see the compassionate side of this place😊 Next, we arrived at the northeastern tip of Aomori, painted entirely in blue. “Cape Shiriyazaki” Endless blue skies and a blue sea😶 I’ve rarely seen such a refreshing landscape. It’s like the embodiment of “summer.” Looking down, I saw a flock of seagulls. They were huddled together on the rocks. Their relaxed posture—why is it so irresistibly cute? Could that be Hokkaido in the distance? I circled Hokkaido last summer. So many memorable spots—I’d love to go again😌 “Shiriyazaki Lightｈouse” Its pure white form stood out against the blue sky—absolutely stunning😊 I’ve seen many lighthouses over the years, but this one might be the most refreshing of them all. It’s one of only 16 lighthouses in Japan that you can climb. I wonder what the view from the top looks like. Wow… the endless scenery doesn’t even feel like Japan. To the east, a transparent emerald sea stretches out. The jagged coastline looks like a piece of a star. Is that a sailing ship with its sails folded, floating in the distance? The breeze is gentle, and it drifts gracefully. The way the clouds reflect on the water is breathtaking. Looking down, the water’s clarity becomes even more apparent. I’d love to swim in a sea like this, just once. In the distance, horses were walking gracefully. They’re Kandachime, a breed that’s free-ranged in this area. The last time I saw free-roaming horses was at Cape Toi in Kagoshima. Cape Toi is the southernmost tip of Honshu, and this place is its polar opposite. Yet the scenery shares some similarities—how fascinating😌 I descended from the lighthouse to the coastline. The water sparkled with sunlight—summer was shimmering. Is it really okay to enjoy summer this much? Seeing this view makes me never want to return to the muggy, modern city. Even from the shore, I could still see the lighthouse. Lighthouses standing tall at the edge of the sea, watching over us—they’re just wonderful. A short walk led to a path that connects to the sea. Let’s follow this path and head to the next destination. We arrived at a coastline where green seas meet towering rocks. “Hotokegaura” That’s insanely huge… I’ve never seen scenery like this in my entire life😶 The emerald sea shimmering beneath those rocks is just perfect. Aomori—how much beautiful nature do you hold? Beneath the dancing rays of light, the rocks reveal their unique textures. Fish swim freely below—it feels like I’ve entered an aquarium. Swimming in such clear water must feel absolutely amazing. It looks like a boat is about to set sail. Riding across the sea on a day like this, would surely become an unforgettable memory. That boat offers a full view of Hotokegaura from the sea, and I wish I had the energy to hop on. Still, for now, I’ll wander through this quiet place. Looking up, I saw the dazzling sun and bizarre rock formations. The origin of the name “Hotokegaura” isn’t clearly known. Some say the towering rocks resemble Buddhist figures, others say it’s a distortion of the Ainu word “Hotokeuta,” meaning “shore of the Buddha.” Either way, the name suits it perfectly. It’s no wonder this place is celebrated as a scenic treasure. This rock truly looks like a Buddha. Light shines through the gaps between the rocks, creating a mystical scene. Beyond those gaps, the blue sea and sky continue. Everywhere I look, this place never disappoints—it’s truly special. Flying overhead—are those seagulls? I wish I could soar through the sky and take in this view from above. Even on the other side of the rocks, strange formations abound. This place was formed by an undersea volcanic eruption about 2,000 years ago. After surfacing, the rocks were shaped by erosion into what we see today. Tide pools have formed in various spots. If you look closely, you’ll find crabs and tiny fish—so exciting. Clams and crab claws cling to the reefs, and the more I look, the more delicious this place seems😊 I walked to the opposite side of the strange rocks. The curved coastline made the water’s clarity even more striking. Every view here fills me with the feeling of summer. I might have consumed an entire year’s worth of summer in just one day. Looking around, the greenery was also stunning. Even in the intense heat, the trees stretched their leaves skyward with vigor. Nature really is gentle on the eyes. Seeing the transparent greens and blues of nature, it feels like my eyesight is healing—what a joy😊 Time passed, and evening arrived. “Mt. Kamafuse Observation Deck” Visible below were Mutsu City and the Tsugaru Strait. A city spread across the plains, surrounded by nature. The sun was about to set. Casting its final glow, the sun slowly sank with lingering warmth. The mountains, gently lit by that light, faded like a mirage. That sunken area might be around Osorezan Bodaiji, which I visited this morning. After walking so much, I was exhausted. Watching the city gradually darken, it was time to say goodbye. Today I explored the northeastern tip of Aomori—the Shimokita Peninsula. Every second, I was overwhelmed by the richness of nature. It’s not just rich—it’s so powerful, it almost makes you hesitate to step in. I believe countless stories still sleep across Japan, waiting to be discovered. I want to keep walking and uncovering them. That’s all for now. Bye-bye.

青森の北東端、下北半島に行ってきました。
恐山の荒涼した景色、尻屋崎と恐山の豊かな海原、釜臥山の蝶々のような夜景など、美しさに富んだ場所でした。
それに真夏でも夜が涼しくて青森最高😌

0:00 オープニング/ Opening
1:04 恐山菩提寺 / Mt. Osore Bodai-ji Temple
7:24 宇曽利山湖 極楽浜 / Gokuraku-hama Beach of Lake Usori
12:09 尻屋崎 / Shiriyazaki Cape
16:21 仏ヶ浦 / Hotokegaura
21:31 釜臥山展望台 / Mt. Kamafuse Observation Deck
22:36 釜臥山展望台の夜景 / Night view from Mt. Kamafuse Observation Deck

#恐山 #尻屋崎 #仏ヶ浦 #青森観光 #下北半島 #ひとり旅 #一人旅 #japantrip #japantravel #vlog