Nokogiri-yama, Saw Mountain, Chiba, Japan
On Nokogiriyama, also known as “Saw-tooth” mountain, the scars of stone excavation for Tokyo’s Edo palaces create the foundation for an escape to nature filled with man-made secrets. This unknown and peaceful day get-away from metropolitan Tokyo is only a jump from one peninsula to another, in the neighboring prefecture of Chiba.
Getting to the base of Nokogiriyama can be done either by train or ferry. Hamakanaya is the closest train station to the mountain. However, the ferry runs once an hour and lands right at the base of the mountain. Your detour south to the port at Keikyu Kurihama is rewarded with a much cheaper (¥720) and quicker (40 minutes) journey on the refreshing sea instead of changing from one cramped and stuffy train to the next. The ferry has indoor and outdoor seating along with a small café and beer vending machines!
After arriving on Chiba’s Boso peninsula, a five minute walk brings you to another choice of route. Hikers may wish to explore the mountain from the bottom, climbing their way through the Nihon-ji temple to the summit. The path is entirely stone or pavement and, not counting the numerous steps, quite easy. The entrance to the temple is closest to Hota station, one stop away from the port.
Epic Japan Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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