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A Peek into Hell

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > A Peek into Hell

Step out onto an overhanging cliff face for an incredible view

Chiba Prefecture

Mt. Nokogiri originally earned its name, which means “saw mountain” in Japanese, due to its profile, which resembles a Japanese saw. The mountain was used as a stone quarry during the Edo period, which accentuated its already rugged shape by leaving behind dramatic vertical cliff faces that still remain today.

You can hike all the way up from its base at sea level, or do as most visitors choose to and board the ropeway to take you to the top of the mountain. Once you get off at the ropeway station, you can begin your hike on the mountain’s network of trails.

The mountain’s Nihonji Temple was founded in the year 725, and its Buddhist statues draw 300,000 visitors per year. The main Daibutsu (lit. ”Big Buddha”) is 31 meters tall and stands midway up the mountain. See how many of the smaller 1,500 statues of rakan Buddhist disciples you can spot in nooks around the mountain.

Jigoku Nozoki (lit. ”Peek into Hell”) is a rock outcropping which sticks straight out from a sheer cliff face, hanging unnervingly, but safely, a hundred meters above the ground below. This spot offers peerless views of the area’s natural beauty and is the perfect sightseeing spot for you to take a photo to remember your trip to Mt. Nokogiri.

How to get there

The Mt. Nokogiri Ropeway Station is about a 10- to 15-minute walk from both JR Hamakanaya Station (train) or Kanaya Port (ferry).

Train: Two hours from JR Tokyo Station to JR Hamakanaya Station on the JR Uchibo Line.

Ferry: 40 minutes from Kurihama Port to Kanaya Port via the Tokyo Bay Ferry. Kurihama Port can be accessed via Kurihama Station (70 minutes from Haneda Airport using the Keikyu Line or 90 minutes from Tokyo Station using the JR Yokosuka Line).

Motona, Kyonan-machi, Awa-gun, Chiba-ken