About
In the southwest of the Boso Peninsula, overlooking Tokyo Bay, stands a range of mountains sharply lined up like the teeth of a saw. Its name is Mount Nokogiri. This mountain, with an elevation of 329 meters, has long served as a stage for both faith and industry, and still retains the beauty of its history and nature.
The origins of Mount Nokogiri date back about six million years. At that time, volcanic ash and mud accumulated on the seabed were uplifted by crustal movements, forming a tuffaceous sandstone mountain. Over the ages, wind and rain eroded the softer parts, leaving the harder rocks to create the distinctive ridgeline resembling saw teeth. This geological marvel later produced high-quality stone known as “Boso Stone,” which was widely used in construction and port development from the Edo period through the Showa era.
On the southern slope of the mountain lies Nihon-ji Temple, said to have been founded in the second year of Jinki (725) by Gyoki at the behest of Emperor Shomu. Within the temple grounds stand 1,553 Rakan stone statues, carved over 21 years by master carver Ono Jingoro Eirei and his 27 disciples, following the wish of the ninth abbot Koga Gudenzenshi in the ninth year of An’ei (1780). No two of these stone Buddhas have the same face, reflecting the full range of human emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure—and deeply moving those who visit. In Showa 41 (1966), a 30.3-meter-tall Hyaku-shaku Kannon was carved into the rock face over six years to memorialize war dead and traffic victims.
Near the summit is “Jigoku Nozoki” (“Peering into Hell”), a spectacular spot where a sheer rock outcrop juts out, offering a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay, the Miura Peninsula, and even distant Mount Fuji. True to its name, the sensation of looking down into the abyss below gives a thrill akin to peering into hell itself.
Mount Nokogiri is a place where faith, industry, and natural beauty are fused together. Its history and scenery inspire deep emotion and awe in those who visit. Even now, many people come to this place, reflecting on the stories that connect the past, present, and future.