Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama) in Chiba

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  • Tokyo Bay view from Nokogiri in Chiba

    Tokyo Bay view from Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

  • Tokyo Bay view from Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

    Tokyo Bay view from Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

  • Ruriko Observatory (Jigoku-nozoki) at Mt. Nokogiri

    Ruriko Observatory (Jigoku-nozoki) at Mt. Nokogiri

  • Closer Look Ruriko Observatory (Jigoku-nozoki) at Mt. Nokogiri

    Closer Look Ruriko Observatory (Jigoku-nozoki) at Mt. Nokogiri

  • Hyaku-shaku Kannon Statue in Chiba

    Hyaku-shaku Kannon Statue in Chiba

  • Hyaku-shaku Kannon Statue with a height of 30m in Chiba

    Hyaku-shaku Kannon Statue with a height of 30m in Chiba

  • Buddha Statues (Rakan) at Nokogiriyama in Chiba

    Buddha Statues (Rakan) at Nokogiriyama in Chiba

  • Buddhist Icons at Nokogiriyama in Chiba

    Buddhist Icons at Nokogiriyama in Chiba

  • Nokogiriyama Temple in Chiba

    Nokogiriyama Temple in Chiba

  • Nihonji Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

    Nihonji Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

  • Nihonji Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

    Nihonji Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

  • Little Jizo Statues at Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

    Little Jizo Statues at Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba

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Facts & Figures

Mount Nokogiri with a height of 329 meters is located within the Chiba Prefecture at the Boso Peninsula. The prefecture is also known to be Tokyo's Secret Backyard and covers an area of over 5156 square kilometres. Mt. Nokogiri belongs to the three most famous mountains of Chiba also called "Three Mountains of Boso". The other two are Mt. Kiyosumi (337m) and Mt. Kano (379m). Japan Rail Pass Buy now and Save >
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At the western side of Mount Nokogiri you will find the Nihon-ji temple complex with its huge Nihonji Daibutsu (Great Buddha) statue. It is one of the largest in Japan. The temple is a very popular tourist destination in Chiba and my must-see recommendation for you. The top of the mountain can be easily reached by a scenic ropeway or via a relaxing hiking tour. The view over the Tokyo Bay and the Boso Peninsula from the summit observatory was simply amazing und an unforgettable experience.

History

The creation of the Nihonji Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is dating back to the late 1700s. With 31m the statue is twice the size of Kamakuras Great Buddha. After damages through earthquakes and bad weather conditions the Nihonji Daibutsu was restored in 1966. The Chiba prefecture itself was founded in 1873 after the Inba Prefecture and Kisarazu Prefecture were merged.

Location

Map of Japan

Mount Nokogiri is located within the Chiba Prefecture on the southern border of the city of Futtsu. The prefecture itself is located in the Kanto region east of Tokyo and belongs to the Greater Tokyo Area.
Address: Nokogiriyama, Kanaya, Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture 299-1861

How to get to Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba?

  • 1,5hrs from Tokyo to Hamakanaya station by JR Uchibo Line
  • 40min from Port Kurihama (Kanagawa) to Port Kanaya (Chiba) by Tokyowan Ferry

Sightseeing spots in the Mount Nokogiri area

Top:

Mount Nokogiri - The mountain offers great views over Tokyo Bay and is a very popular hiking area.

Nihonji Daibutsu (Great Buddha) - It is the largest pre-modern and stone-carved Buddha Statue in Japan. Artist Jingoro Eirei Ono and his 27 disciples created the statue over a period of 3 years.

Nihon-ji Temple - The Soto Zen Buddhist temple was founded in 725 by priest Gyoki (668–749) by the order of Emperor Shomu (701 - 756). It has the status of an Important Cultural Property.

Hyaku-shaku Kannon Statue - The statue has a height of 30 meters. It is a relief of the Buddhist goddess of mercy. The relief was carved on the remains of a stone quarry within a period of 6 years.

Ruriko Observatory and Jigoku-nozoki (“Hell Peek Point” lookout) - This unique rock formation made out of granite offers spectacular views. The whole site was a quarry during the Edo period (1603 - 1868) and these stones were used for buildings like the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.

Sengohyaku Rakan - 1500 small Buddha sculptures can be found along the hiking paths up to the top of Mount Nokogiri. Artist Jingoro Eirei Ono and his 27 disciples worked on these sculptures for 19 years from 1779 to 1798.

Scenic Ropeway - The ropeway was built in 1962 for 200million yen. The round-trip ticket for adults costs 900 yen and for children 450 yen.

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

April

Cherry Blossom (mid-April)
Chiba is a great place to enjoy the Sakura Season.

August

Tateyama Fireworks Festival (8th)
It is a very famous fireworks event in Chiba. Enjoy the hot summer air and watch this amazing Obon matsuri (fireworks festival). It goes from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm.

Where to stay near Mt. Nokogiri?

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