The Smiths in Japan (2) Osoreazan

Stephanie sees shells by the sea shore.

Then she stopped to watch her favorite show.

Mike giving  me a Pirate face! ARGH!

The reason we come to Ship Wreck beach- SEA GLASS!

Also, Stephanie and I decided to start collecting sand from the beaches we go to. If only we had gotten it from Gulf Shores! Maybe Hawaii?...

Later in Mutsu City we found a Baskin Robbins and Marie got Soda Ice Cream. Good choice, cutie.

Here is Stephanie documenting everything. Not a fan of Japanese food, but she stayed smiling all the while... starving, but smiling!

The destination of the day was the 3rd Holiest site in Japan, Osorezan. It lays at the tip of Japan in a volcanic mountain range. It is consider as something similar to the River Styx, where the deceased cross a river into the after life. I have heard that after death the person walks for 50 days and then comes to this river. If they are good, they can get across. If they were not, then they are lost down the river.
It's hard to understand all the doctrine though. I'm sure people feel the same way about the Mormon Church. You can't just google anything. You have to really go to the source and study, so it's hard to know exactly what to believe.

You have to imagine, this place is so eerie. Buddhists pilgrimage from afar to honor their dead...

And then there is Mina chan. Running around, squealing, screaming, laughing.

 Oh Mina! Have some respect!

"What are all these rocks for again?"

Pin wheels honor children who died before birth or during labor.

The lake here is similar to the Great Salt Lake and nothing lives in it-

That's why its the river of the dead.

Glad we don't believe in demons greeting you in the afterlife.


But who doesn't love a picture on a bridge? Even if it's the bridge to...