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Like a lot of people these days, Japanese Twitter user @Kazuaki612 and his wife have been feeling like they could use a little more exercise, plus a reason to get out of the house. So they’ve started taking long walks around places within day-trip distance of Tokyo, but one of their recent destinations looks like a trip to another world.
These starkly beautiful photos were taken at Mt Nokogiri in Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo’s neighbor to the east. Nokogiri is the Japanese word for “saw,” and the mountain originally got its name because of its jagged, sawtooth-like ridgeline. The name is doubly appropriate, too, because generations of craftsmen cut into the mountain, as Mt Nokogiri was a major rock quarry during the samurai period, supplying building materials for the capital city of Edo (as Tokyo was called in those days).
Of course, many of the structures and pathways the stonemasons of yore used were also made out of stone, with their weathered appearance making them look like a set of ruins from a fantasy or isekai story.
Quarry work continued into the modern era, but none of them are active today. Instead, Mt Nokogiri is now one of Chiba’s most popular hiking spots, with its 329-meter height making it an enjoyable but manageable challenge even for those who aren’t dedicated mountaineers.
Related: Mt Nokogiri official website
Source: @Kazuaki612 via Jin
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- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2021/04/12/beautiful-photos-of-the-isekai-looking-mountain-thats-one-of-the-tokyo-areas-best-day-trips/
6 Comments
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Mickelicious
Went during the colder weather. Cool grounds and a good trek around the paths - easy to get lost in ; )
Driving out, the wild piglets we saw near the exit were totally unfazed by our presence. Worth the visit for views over Tokyo Bay (Fuji too, if it's clear).
hazycake
@Spitfire
Thanks! :)
I took the long way around Tokyo bay and through Chiba on the way to Nokogiriyama but took the ferry back across to Kurihama and rode the Keikyu line through to Tokyo to go back home.
Although time-wise, I think they are about the same, I chose the scene route of taking the ferry (it takes 40 minutes to cross) and then the Keikyu line because 1) I had never ridden the ferry before and 2) 40 minutes on the ferry seemed better than spending another hour on the train.
Spitfire
@hazycake,
Nice review.
I agree with everything you said.
I particularly enjoyed the ferry ride across Tokyo bay.
hazycake
After years of contemplating about going there, I finally went two months ago. It was definitely worth the trip. Quite nice views of the surrounding areas, beautiful flora and a spectacular Buddha statue.
Although it's often lumped together with other daytrip places from Tokyo like Kamakura or Yokohama, it is quite far, especially if you live in west of central Tokyo. I woke up at 5AM and only got to the nearest station at 9AM. There's actual hiking to get to the main attractions so by the time you reach the views, it's 10AM.
If you live south of Tokyo like Yokohama or Kamakura, I recommend taking the ferry from Kurihama that takes you straight to the nearest station. In beautiful weather, it's quite the view from the boat.
JPGB
I read this article and ended up making plans to go there on 昭和の日. I'm really excited to check it out!