Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama)
Kanto, Japan · Mountain
The western side of the Boso Peninsula, with Japan's largest seated Buddha carved directly into rock (31m), 1,500 rakan statues scattered along forest trails, and the 'Jigoku Nozoki' viewpoint ('peering into hell'): a narrow rock ledge jutting out over the cliff, with views of Tokyo Bay, the Pacific, and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji.
The essentials
Getting there
Train — JR Sobu Line Rapid to Kimitsu (or Soga/Kisarazu) + transfer to the JR Uchibo Line to Hamakanaya, ~2h, ¥1,980, both legs fully JR. From the station, it's a 6-minute walk to the base of the mountain; a 4-minute ropeway to the summit (¥950 round-trip) or a 1-1.5 hour hike up. Nihonji Temple admission ¥600.
Frequently asked questions about Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama)
How many days do you need in Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama)?
1 day minimum for it to be worth it. There are 12 documented activities in Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama), so it keeps giving with more time.
How do you get to Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama)?
Train: JR Sobu Line Rapid to Kimitsu (or Soga/Kisarazu) + transfer to the JR Uchibo Line to Hamakanaya, ~2h, ¥1,980, both legs fully JR. From the station, it's a 6-minute walk to the base of the mountain; a 4-minute ropeway to the summit (¥950 round-trip) or a 1-1.5 hour hike up. Nihonji Temple admission ¥600.
Can you visit Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama) in a day?
Yes. Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama) works well as a day trip, usually from Tokyo, with no need to change accommodation.
What must you see in Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama)?
What is marked as a must-see: Jigoku Nozoki viewpoint.
Is Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama) expensive?
Spend level mid by Japanese standards. Factor in the per-night tourist tax as well, which varies from city to city.
What to do in Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama): 12 activities
-
Jigoku Nozoki viewpoint 0.5 h must-see
'Peering into hell': a narrow rock ledge jutting out over the cliff, with views of Tokyo Bay, the Pacific, and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji.
-
Stone Buddha (Hyakushaku Kannon / Daibutsu) 1 h
Japan's largest seated Buddha carved directly into rock, about 31 metres tall, within the grounds of Nihonji Temple.
-
1,500 rakan trail 1.5 h
About 1,500 stone statues of Buddha's disciples scattered along Nihonji Temple's wooded trails, many weathered by time and covered in moss.
-
Nihon-ji temple 1 h
Founded in the year 725 by the monk Gyoki at the request of Emperor Shomu, it is the temple that gives the whole mountain its meaning; Minamoto no Yoritomo planted a cycad here and writers such as Soseki left records of their visits.
-
Nokogiriyama Ropeway 0.5 h
Four minutes suspended over Tokyo bay to the summit: the comfortable way up with children or reduced mobility, instead of the stairway.
-
Kanaya hot springs by the sea 1.5 h
Several establishments at the harbour open their baths to day visitors, some with thermal rotenburo looking straight out to sea.
-
Kyonan daffodil valley 2 h only from December to February
From December to February the neighbouring valley is covered with millions of wild daffodils along a country road, one of the few midwinter flower displays in Japan.
-
Ruins of the Edo stone quarry 1 h
A hiking route as an alternative to the ropeway (about 50 minutes on foot), passing an old Edo-period stone quarry reclaimed by the forest, with inscriptions and small buddhas carved into the rock.
-
Sharikimichi trail from Hamakanaya 2.5 h
About 3 km along the old ramp down which stone was hauled by cart, passing a cat carved into the rock, up to the summit viewpoint at 329 m.
-
The Fish market and baumkuchen bakery 1 h
Next to Kanaya harbour: fish of the day, souvenirs from the Boso peninsula and an internationally awarded baumkuchen bakery.
-
Tokyo Bay ferry (Kurihama-Kanaya) 1 h
Forty minutes of crossing with gulls, Fuji in the background on clear days and the sawtooth profile of the mountain drawing closer: getting there is part of the outing.
-
Nokogiriyama Museum of Art 1 h
A museum devoted to stone and art, with a boshu stone warehouse listed as a cultural property, explaining where the mountain's quarry landscape came from.
What only happens on specific dates
- Kyonan daffodil valley from December to February
Build a route with this destination in it
Tell us how many days you have and what you are interested in, and the planner builds a realistic itinerary with real train times.
Open the planner