A Mount Nokogiri day trip is one of the most rewarding nature escapes from Tokyo, yet few international travelers know about it. Rising above the coast of Chiba’s Boso Peninsula, “Saw-Tooth Mountain” gets its name from the jagged ridgeline left by centuries of stone quarrying, and its slopes are now the grounds of Nihon-ji, an ancient temple filled with carved Buddhas. This guide covers the three highlights: the colossal Nihon-ji Daibutsu, the dizzying Jigoku Nozoki lookout, and the ropeway ride to sweeping views of Tokyo Bay and, on clear days, Mount Fuji.
1. Nihon-ji Daibutsu
The Nihon-ji Daibutsu is a seated Buddha carved directly into the rock face of Mount Nokogiri, standing 31.05 meters tall, which makes it the largest rock-carved Buddha in Japan and far taller than the famous bronze Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura. It was carved in 1783 by the stonemason Ono Jingoro and his apprentices and restored in 1969. Nihon-ji itself says it was founded around 1,300 years ago by the monk Gyoki under imperial order, making it one of the oldest temples in the Kanto region. The temple grounds spread across much of the mountain, and along the trails you will pass hundreds of small stone rakan (Buddhist disciple) statues, each with a different expression. Nihon-ji is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and charges an admission fee at the entrance gates. The Daibutsu sits on the lower part of the mountain, so you can reach it after visiting the summit area or walk up from the base.
2. Jigoku Nozoki (Peek into Hell)
Jigoku Nozoki, literally “peek into hell,” is a rock ledge that juts out over a sheer drop of about 100 meters above the old quarry, and it is the most famous photo spot on Mount Nokogiri. Standing at the tip, you look straight down into the quarry walls and out across the forested peninsula to Tokyo Bay. The ledge has a railing, but it is narrow and can feel exposed, so take your time and expect a short wait for photos on weekends. Nearby, a huge Kannon (goddess of mercy) figure is carved into the quarry wall, and the cliffs themselves show the cut lines of the stonemasons who once quarried Boso stone here. Reaching the lookout involves a lot of stone steps, so wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and allow at least half a day for the mountain if you want to see both Jigoku Nozoki and the Daibutsu without rushing.
3. Mount Nokogiri Ropeway and Summit Views
The easiest way up the mountain is the Mount Nokogiri Ropeway, a 680-meter cable car line that climbs to the summit area in just a few minutes. The base station is about an 8 to 10 minute walk from JR Hama-Kanaya Station on the Uchibo Line. From the summit observation deck, you can see the full sweep of Tokyo Bay, the Miura Peninsula across the water and, on clear winter days, Mount Fuji. For a more scenic journey from the Tokyo or Yokohama side, consider the Tokyo Bay Ferry from Kurihama in Kanagawa to Kanaya Port, a crossing of about 40 minutes; the one-way fare is 1,100 yen for adults, and Kanaya Port is about a five-minute walk from the ropeway. Many visitors ride the ropeway up, walk down through the temple grounds past Jigoku Nozoki and the Daibutsu, and finish with fresh seafood near Kanaya Port.
Where to Stay Near Mount Nokogiri
Where to stay: Kanaya & Kyonan coastHotel links in this section go to Orbitz. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mount Nokogiri is an easy day trip from Tokyo, but an overnight stay on the Boso coast lets you enjoy a hot spring bath, a seafood dinner and the mountain in the cool morning before the crowds arrive. The small towns of Kanaya and Kyonan sit right at the foot of the mountain, while larger resorts lie further south on the peninsula.
Luxury
Grand Mercure Minamiboso Resort & Spa is a hot spring resort hotel in Minamiboso, further south on the peninsula. It is best suited to travelers with a car who want to combine Mount Nokogiri with the beaches and flower fields of southern Boso.
Grand Mercure Minamiboso Resort & Spa
Hot spring resort hotel for a relaxing Boso Peninsula stay.
Mid-Range
Beachside Onsen Resort Umi is a hot spring ryokan on the Kyonan coast near the foot of Mount Nokogiri, a convenient base for reaching the mountain early.
Seaside hot spring ryokan near Mount Nokogiri.
Budget-Friendly
Kajiya Ryokan is a simple, traditional inn in Kanaya, close to the ropeway, Hama-Kanaya Station and the ferry port.
Simple traditional inn near the ropeway and ferry port.
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Hotels near Mount Nokogiri on Orbitz
Stay on the Boso coast and you can ride up Mount Nokogiri in the quiet morning, then relax with a hot spring bath and fresh seafood.
Check Futtsu and Kanaya hotel prices →
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Go up by ropeway and walk down through Nihon-ji, so most of the stairs are downhill.
- Wear sturdy shoes and bring water; the temple trails involve many steep stone steps.
- Clear, dry days in late autumn and winter give the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji from the summit.
- Combine the trip with the Tokyo Bay Ferry between Kurihama and Kanaya for a scenic route to or from Kanagawa.
- Check the ropeway’s operating hours and fares on the day you go, as they change by season.
Getting there by train: Hama-Kanaya Station is on the JR Uchibo Line, about two hours from Tokyo with a change, usually at Kisarazu or Kimitsu. The route is covered by the JR Pass. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, check whether the JR Pass is worth it, and if you are arriving from overseas, see our guide to getting from Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Mount Nokogiri from Tokyo?
Take JR trains to Hama-Kanaya Station on the Uchibo Line, about two hours from Tokyo with a change. The Mount Nokogiri Ropeway base station is an 8 to 10 minute walk from the station. You can also cross Tokyo Bay by ferry from Kurihama to Kanaya Port.
How tall is the Nihon-ji Daibutsu?
The Nihon-ji Daibutsu is 31.05 meters tall. Carved into the rock of Mount Nokogiri in 1783, it is the largest rock-carved Buddha in Japan.
Is Jigoku Nozoki scary?
It can feel dramatic. The ledge juts out over a drop of about 100 meters, but it has a railing. If you are nervous about heights, you can view and photograph it from the trail nearby instead of standing at the tip.
How long do you need at Mount Nokogiri?
Plan at least half a day to ride the ropeway, visit Jigoku Nozoki and walk down to the Daibutsu, as the trails include many stone steps.
