Worth going to Japan just for Osorezan?

Hi,

I usually go to Japan during winter, and I already have a plane ticket for January ~ February 2024. I always have thought about going to Osorezan in Aomori, but it is always closed during winter so I haven't been there. Now I'm thinking if it is worth paying for another plane ticket for this summer, renting a car and go to Japan just only for Osorezan and then come home. Looking at pictures and videos makes me wanting to go there. However, I have been disappointed at numerous tourist places that I felt they were quite overrated during my past trips.

If you have been there, could you please share your experience?

Thank you

Personally I would not make a trip to Japan just for Osorezan, but I did find the place very interesting and certainly not an overcrowded "tourist" destination. Its remoteness probably contributes to the low number of people that were there the same time I was.
How long you would want to stay might also be a factor. Rental car provides some flexibility - I was using the buses and while I would have liked a bit more time, it wasn't the kind of place that I would have spent most of the day at.

Hi!

I too have been to Osorezan, and also went there via public transit. It really is a very special place, I thought it was much more interesting than Enryakuji and Koya-san. I'm not sure I would go to Japan just to go there, but if you have the money and the time, I've gone to Japan for weirder things, like a doll cruise.

I am renting a car and we are actually planning to go to Osorezan again in July. I'm expecting the trip to be much more enjoyable via car.

I have been disappointed at numerous tourist places that I felt were quite overrated during my past trips.

I visited Osorezan a few years ago and spent less than an hour. If you are coming to Japan just for Osorezan, you'd better come up with a very compelling reason, otherwise, it will be another big disappointment.

I went to Osorezan a few years ago and stayed overnight. It was one (of many) highlights of a 2 months trip through far flung places in Japan.

http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.com/2017/10/day-13-hakodate-to-oma-...
http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.com/2017/10/day-14-osorezan-to-nohe...

However would I fly from California to Japan ONLY to visit Osorezan? No. But if you make a week of it in Tohoku / southern Hokkaido, specially if so far you have been only in the winter to Japan you can see a lot of other interesting places.

Thank you everybody for all your inputs and talking me out of it. You guys are right. I shouldn't do this trip. I better save this place for when I take another meaningful and longer trip during different season. Not sure why last night I had such a strong urge of taking a very short trip only for Osorezan. Maybe because I had a really bad day yesterday. Now that I've had slept on it, I'm thinking more rationally and having a second thought. Instead of spending all this money for a very short trip, I think I'd rather buy a new camera for upcoming and future trips.

@LikeBike thanks for sharing your blog. Looks like that was an amazing bike trip!!

@JapanCustomTours & rkold Yes I too think rental car would be more enjoyable and flexible for a remote place like Osorezan. I remember checking a bus schedule several years ago. It was very limited and I had to give up going there at that time.

@JapanCustomTours & liem Sound like it isn't a place that I can spend a lot of time there. Thanks for letting me know.

Interesting thread, and I have seen your posts on a number of occasions, so I wanted to add a couple of other comments.
I think that Osorezan is much more interesting than Koya-san (as an example). Koya was rather "meh" and not at all special. Osorezan was something else again, and given the right circumstances I would go back without hesitation. But, even with that, I would not base a trip around it. Combining with other places in the area (southern Hokkaido and northern Honshu) would make for an interesting week. But, I suspect you have already explored those places, so if I was planning something for you I would be looking for something else to make a trip worthwhile. And, while I do end up spending many days/weeks with repeat visits to locations around Japan (like I am currently), having time to explore in more depth is a real luxury. Often it is the small things that never get a mention here in JapanGuide or other forums (or the web in general) that I have been able to share with my guests to give them insight into places that we go - stuff that is hidden in a neighbourhood or town, mentioned on a local tv show or simply stumbled across - it's why I love Japan so much and why so many people make so many repeat visits.

Thank you, Sitti for the question, and LikeBike for your blog. I am planning to be traveling around Tohoku and up to Hakodate, starting around mid-October this year. The temple stay is very appealing to me. I've just started my research and based on what this guide suggests, I would also like to go to Dewa Sanzan. There it seems only 2 of the 3 temples will be open when I go.

I would also like to go to Dewa Sanzan.

I spent 3 days visiting the area.
If you are pressed for time, be sure not to miss the Hagurosan, the small hike is worth the effort.