[Aomori ]Recharge your batteries at shrines and nature! 10 recommended power spots

"The Twelve Lakes "is the collective name for 33 lakes and marshes located in the western part of the Shirakami Sanchi "World Heritage Site ". The name "Twelve Lakes "was given because the number of lakes looked like 12 when viewed from Kuzuyama. "The most famous of the Twelve Lakes ", "Aoike Pond ", has a beautiful cobalt blue surface. A rotting beech tree is submerged in the pond, giving it a mysterious atmosphere.
"Besides Aoike ", you can also enjoy the beautiful blue surface of the lake at "Boiling Pot Pond ". "The water from Boiling Pot Pond "is selected as one of the 100 best waters in Aomori Prefecture. At the nearby teahouse "Junikoan ", you can also have a cup of tea using "Boiling Pool's fresh water ". "After recharging your energy with the nature of Juniko ", take a break with a cup of delicious tea.

Location: Matsukamishita Hamamatsu, Fukaura-cho, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

One of the "seven Tsuta swamps "at the foot of Mt. Hakkoda is "Tsuta swamp ". Walking through the forest, you will see "Tsuta-numa "in the open. Surrounded by beech trees, the quiet pond is crystal clear and the surface of the water is like a mirror. "The best season to visit Tsuta-numa "is autumn, when the colorful beech trees are reflected on the lake surface of "and Tsuta-numa ", creating a fantastic view.
"In addition to Tsuta-numa ", there is a 2.9 km walking path that circles around the ponds Akanuma, Kagaminuma, and Tsukinuma. The ponds are crystal clear and the beech forests are a great place to recharge the power of nature.

Location: Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

"At Butsugaura ", you can see megaliths of various shapes standing along the coast. They are formed by the eruption of undersea volcanoes and the upheaval of strata, which eroded the tuff to the surface over a long period of time. You can walk along the promenade from the parking lot, but cruising is recommended.
You can take your time to enjoy Butsugaura from the sea. The contrast between the beautiful cobalt blue sea and the white rocks of "Butsugaura "is beautiful. After leaving the nearby port "and arriving at Butsugaura ", you can go ashore for 30 minutes to see the rocks up close. Let the beautiful waters of the Sea of Japan soothe you and feel the power of the earth from the large rocks.

Location：Shimokita-gun, Aomori, Sakai-mura, Nagao, Sutaoishi state forest land
Cruise fare: Adults (junior high school students and older): 2,500 yen / Children (elementary school students): 1,250 yen

"Takayama Inari Shrine "is a historic shrine built between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods and enshrines three deities, which are beneficial for prosperous business, academic achievement, and good marriage. The shrine grounds are spacious, with a large hall of worship located up a flight of stairs from the parking lot. After climbing the stairs from the hall of worship, you will be greeted by Senbon-torii, a gateway to the shrine.
Vermilion-lacquered torii gates lead up to the Shinmeisha shrine, creating a mysterious atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy the colorful scenery throughout the year: cherry blossoms around the torii in spring, dazzling fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and a blanket of snow in winter. The temple is surrounded by mountains, and visitors can enjoy the power of nature and the gods in its spacious grounds.

Location: 147-1 Washinosawa, Ushigata-cho, Tsugaru-shi, Aomori
Fee: Free of charge

"Mount Osorezan "is one of the three most sacred places in Japan along with Mount Hieizan and Mount Koya. A dormant volcano, "Osorezan "is an outer ring mountain with a hollow inside, and is an unexplored region that cannot be seen from the outside. Crossing the "drum bridge "that connects the afterlife and this world, you will see "Hell Valley ". The smell of sulfur in the air and the desolation of the land is just like the other side of the world.
"Osorezan "has a historic temple called "Osorezan Bodaiji "which was built about 1,200 years ago. The temple's precincts are a mixture of white limestone and the green color of the mountain, creating an atmosphere that is out of this world. Osorezan is a dormant volcano, "Osorezan "has four hot spring bathhouses where you can enjoy hot spring baths, so after visiting Osorezan, you can relax and heal in the hot springs.

Location: 3-2 Aza-Soriyama, Tanabe, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture
Admission: Adults (high school students and older) 500 yen / Children (elementary and junior high school students) 200 yen

Located on the Nakayama Peninsula, which begins in the middle of Lake Towada, "Towada Shrine "is an old shrine founded in 807. It is said to have been founded by Tamuramaro Sakagami, known as the first barbarian general. Passing through the approach lined with giant cedar trees, visitors will see the main shrine with a solemn atmosphere. Although the shrine enshrines the deity Nihon no Musunon, it was considered a place of worship for the water god until the Meiji era.
"You can tell your fortune with "Oyori paper "that you can buy in the precincts of Towada Shrine ". It is said that if you throw the paper into the lake at Gozengahama beach in Lake Towada and the paper sinks, your great wish will be fulfilled. This is a spot where you can be healed by the nature of Lake Towada and recharge your batteries at the shrine.

Location: 486 Ose Towada Lakeside Rest House, Towada-shi, Aomori
Fee: Free of charge

"The Oirase Keiryu "is a river that flows out of "Lake Towada "and is about 14 km long. There are trekking paths along the river for walking, as well as a road for easy access. ""You can drive to famous spots such as Kumoi Falls ", Ashura Stream ", ", and Shimei Stream ", or you can walk the 14km slowly and enjoy the Oirase Stream "" .
It is also famous for its fresh green and autumn leaves, and you can enjoy the contrast between the beautiful, clear water and the colorful leaves. Take plenty of deep breaths in the beautiful nature and be healed.

Location: 183 Tochikubo, Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

"Iwakisan Shrine "is a historic shrine founded about 1,200 years ago and enshrines five gods, which are believed to bring good fortune and blessings. The historic gate and main shrine are registered as Important Cultural Properties, indicating that the shrine has long been loved by the local people.
Beyond the torii gate, "Mt. Iwaki "rises, and at the top of the mountain stands the Okumiya Shrine. Mt. Iwaki is beautiful as it changes its color throughout the four seasons, especially in the winter season when it is covered with pure white snow. This is a power spot where you can receive the power of the gods and the mountain that have been loved by the people of Tsugaru since ancient times.

Location: 27 Terasawa, Momosawa, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori
Fee: Free of charge

"Tanezaki Beach "is a beautiful beach with natural grass in Sanriku Fukko National Park. It is a rare place where natural grass extends to the edge of the waves, providing a beautiful contrast between the green of the grass and the blue of the sea. From spring to summer, "650 kinds of flowers including Nikkoukisuge "are in full bloom.
"Kabura-shima, located north of the Tanegashima coast ", is home to the "Kabura-shima Shrine ", which enshrines Benzaiten, the goddess of fortune. "Kabura-shima "is believed to bring blessings for stock prices and shares of popularity by combining "turnips "and "stocks ". After receiving God's blessings, take a stroll along the beautiful beach and enjoy the power of the sea as well.

Location: Tanakubo, Oaza-Samemachi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

"Saruga Shrine "is a historic shrine founded in 807. 2 deities are enshrined, and the shrine is blessed with a good harvest and industrial development. The large grounds of the shrine boast a total area of 16,000 tsubo (approximately 1,000 square meters), which includes not only the main shrine building but also "Kagami-ike "and "Mihariga-ike ", two large ponds.
"Kagami Pond "is the sacred pond for "SARUGA Shrine "and is filled with lotus flowers in summer. Also "Mihariga-ike "is used as an excursion pond, where you can enjoy the quiet lake surface on a boat. This is a power spot where you can relax and feel the atmosphere of the shrine in the spacious grounds.

Location: 175 Saruga Stone Forest, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

We have introduced 10 power spots in Aomori Prefecture. You can feel the power in various places, such as places overflowing with nature and shrines with a venerable history. You will surely be recharged with power if you take your time to relax in nature and receive blessings from the gods in the northernmost area of Honshu. If you visit Aomori Prefecture, please visit the power spots as well.