Nokogiriyama

Mount Nokogiri is a mountain located on the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, with an elevation of about 330 meters. Its distinctive profile features sheer rock faces lined up like the teeth of a saw, which is how it got its name. From the Edo period until 1985, it flourished as a major source of high-quality Boshu stone, and at its peak, it is said that about 80% of the population in the Kanaya district worked in the stone industry. Easy to process and highly fire-resistant, Boshu stone was used in modern buildings throughout Japan, including Yokohama Port, Yasukuni Shrine, and Waseda University, making a major contribution to the development of Japanese cities. The cliffs and quarry remains exposed by stone cutting still remain on the mountain today, creating the powerful scenery that is unique to Mount Nokogiri.

On the mountain’s southern slope lies Nihon-ji Temple, Japan’s oldest imperial temple site in the Kanto region, founded about 1,300 years ago by Gyoki Bosatsu. The temple grounds cover an expansive area roughly equal to seven Tokyo Domes and are dotted with numerous highlights. The Great Buddha carved into the rock face, known as Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai, stands 31.05 meters tall and is known as Japan’s largest stone Buddha. It was carved over three years in 1783 by Ono Jingoro Eirei and his disciples. Other attractions include the 30.3-meter-tall Hyaku-shaku Kannon, carved into a former quarry, and the 1,553 Arhat statues of the Thirteen Hundred and Fifty-Three Rakan, which were built over 21 years in the late Edo period. These diverse Buddhist statues welcome visitors to the temple.

One of Mount Nokogiri’s most famous attractions, “Jigoku Nozoki” or “Hell Peek,” is a narrow rocky ledge jutting out from the edge of a cliff, where visitors can look down about 100 meters below for a thrilling experience. A sweeping panorama unfolds, offering views of Tokyo Bay, the Boso Peninsula, the Miura Peninsula, and, on clear days, even Mount Fuji, making it especially popular as a scenic viewpoint.

There are also a variety of hiking routes. On the “Sharikimichi” trail, which was used by women who transported stone down to the foot of the mountain, the wheel ruts of handcarts and the stone paving remain intact, conveying a sense of the labor of the time. Along the “Kanto Fureai no Michi” trail running from JR Hama-Kanaya Station to Hota Station, visitors can enjoy a series of varied landscapes, including Kangetsudai, the Laputa Wall, the remains of the quarry, the observation deck where the earth looks round, and the summit of Mount Nokogiri (triangulation point). The quarry area still preserves unloading sites and heavy machinery from the age of mechanization, and has recently attracted attention as an industrial heritage site. In addition, “Neko-cho-ba,” a quarry decorated with cat carvings that reflect the playful spirit of the stoneworkers, was opened to the public in 2021 and has become a new popular spot.

By using the ropeway, you can reach the summit station in about four minutes, and from the gondola’s large windows you can take in the beautiful contrast between Tokyo Bay and the surrounding mountains. Around the summit station, there is a “Yahho!!” sign and a post box made of Boshu stone called the “Sharon Postone.” Mail posted here receives a scenic date stamp depicting Mount Nokogiri and the ropeway, making it a popular travel souvenir. From the summit observatory, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view stretching across the Miura Peninsula and Mount Fuji, and on clear days all the way to Izu Oshima, making it one of Chiba Prefecture’s most celebrated scenic spots.

Designated as part of Minami Boso Quasi-National Park, Mount Nokogiri benefits from a mild climate and can be enjoyed for hiking and sightseeing throughout the year. It is easily accessible by car, train, and ferry, and is a popular tourist destination that condenses a wide range of attractions, including history, nature, spectacular views, and industrial heritage. With countless points of interest scattered across the mountain, it is said that a full day is needed to explore it thoroughly, and two days to take in everything it has to offer.