Mt Goten (364m), Mt Takatori (364m) & Mt Dainichi (333m), Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture

This is a good hike to do in the winter since Chiba usually gets less snow and the temperatures are milder. It’s also relatively short so it can be combined with another mountain in the area, like Mt Tomi. I’d recommend using a car for this hike since there is no suitable bus to the trailhead. There is also a convenient parking lot near the start of the trail, in front of Koshoji Temple 高照寺.

First views of Minamiboso at the start of the hike

It takes about an hour to get to the top of Mt Goten 御殿山. Following the ridgeline, the trail goes past Mt Takatori 鷹取山, and ends at Mt Dainichi 大日山 one hour away. Although the trail is mostly through the forest, there are good views of Mt Tomi and Tokyo Bay from each peak. One might even see Mt Fuji on a very clear day. Although the path continues Southwards down to a road, there is no public transport, so the return is back the same way. It should take a little less than 2 hours to get back to the parking area along the up and down trail.

View West towards double-peaked Mt Tomi

Mt Karasuba (267m) & Mt Konpira (121m), Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture, March 2013

Ask for a hiking map for Mt Karasuba

Located on the Pacific side of the southern part of the Boso Peninsula, this loop hike is perfect for the colder winter months. On a clear day, it’s possible to see all the way to Mt Fuji from the top of karasubayama (烏場山), one of the many viewpoints along the way.

Hiking on the Boso Peninsula 房総半島

View North from near the top of Mt Karasuba

Hiking along the Bride Route

Despite its low elevation, this 5-hour up and down route is best attempted by fit, experienced hikers, as there are no escape routes along the way. It’s recommended to do it in a clockwise direction, starting with the “hanayome” or bride route (花嫁コース), continuing with the “hanamuko” or bridegroom route (花婿コース), and ending with the “kurotaki” or black waterfall Route (黒滝コース) which passes by Kurotaki waterfall.

Hiking along the Bridegroom Route

Hiking along the Kurotaki Route

The start of the hike can be conveniently accessed on foot from Wadaura Station on the Uchibo local line, a little over 2 hours from Tokyo, thanks to the comfortable Wakashio limited express that runs between Tokyo and Awa-Kamogawa stations.

Ask for a hiking map for Mt Karasuba

Mt Nokogiri (329m), Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture

Mt Nokogiri (鋸山のこぎりやま nokogiriyama), literally “Saw Mountain”, due to its jagged summit, is a popular sightseeing spot situated on the Tokyo side of the Boso peninsula. In the Edo period, it used to be a quarry, which explains its smooth cliffs below the top ridge. It can be reached from Hama-Kanaya station on the Sazanami limited express (about 2 hours from Shinjuku), or by using the Tokyo Bay ferry from Kurihama on the Miura peninsula, Kanagawa prefecture (40 minutes each way).

View south of Minami-Boso from the top of the ropeway

View of the Kanaya ferry port

Most visitors prefer to take the Nokogiriyama ropeway up, and then make the roundtrip along the ridgeline to the observatory at Jigoku Nozomi (地獄のぞみ), meaning ” A peak into hell”, a ledge of rock overhanging a cliff. Looking west, one can gaze upon Tokyo bay and Mt Fuji in the distance. Although an entrance fee is required, it also gives access to Nihon-ji temple (日本寺) and the Nihon-ji Daibustu (日本寺大仏), both worthwhile sights on the south side of the mountain.

A peak into hell, the highlight of a visit to Mt Nokogiri

Kannon carved into the cliffside

For those wanting more exercice, it’s possible to walk down to the base of the ropeway on the north side via the Kangetsudai trail (観月台コース), also part of the Kanto Fureai no Michi. On the way, you’ll pass by the impressive Haykushaku-Kannon (百尺観音), carved into the cliffside. For a longer hike, it’s possible to start from Hota station and approach via the Ura-Nokogiri trail (裏鋸コース, the Nokogiri back trail), leading around the back of the mountain and over its highest point. Whichever option you choose, Mt Nokogiri makes a fun and interesting daytrip from Tokyo.

See the views of Mt Nokogiri