Home to Narita International Airport, Chiba has always been known as a transit city before taking the train to its bustling sister city, Tokyo. Not forgetting its most famous attractions, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea! But besides these iconic theme parks, there are plenty of hidden gems in Chiba that's just waiting to be uncovered including Mount Nokogiri.
Located an hour and a half from Narita Airport, Mount Nokogiri (which translates to Sawtooth Mountain) is named after a traditional Japanese saw, thanks to its unusual rock formations and jagged cliffs. The mountain holds strong significance, having been a quarry for stone excavation since the Edo period. It's also known as one of Chiba's three most famous mountains and is where you can find a temple complex containing one of Japan's largest Buddhas.
You can easily hike up Mount Nokogiri or ride a cable car to the peak of the mountain. Either way, you'll be rewarded with some of the most amazing views of Chiba from the top. Don't miss the iconic Hell View (Jigoku Nozoki) observation point, set on a piece of rock jutting out, giving a view straight down from the mountain. To the west, you can admire Tokyo Bay and if you're lucky, you'll get a glimpse of Mt. Fuji too!
The next time you take a trip to Japan, make sure to include the scenic prefecture of Chiba in your itinerary and stop by Mount Nokogiri for an exciting adventure ?