Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Kyonan, the town
south of Mt. Nokogiri
Kyonan-machi was formed in 1959 by merging the castle town of Katsuyama and the port town of Hota. Its name means "the town south of Mt. Nokogiri". Located at the gateway to Minami-Boso, it has two fishing ports, Katsuyama and Hota, where fresh fish and shellfish are landed every morning.
Minamoto no Yoritomo, defeated in battle by the Taira clan, is said to have landed here to regroup. The Yoritomo Festival is held every October, and the Yoritomo cherry blossoms are at their best from February to March.
Mt. Nokogiri, the origin of the town's name
Mt. Nokogiri rises on the border between Futtsu City and Kyonan-machi, at the western end of the Kiyosumi mountains. Its jagged ridgeline, like the teeth of a saw, has long been a landmark for ships entering Tokyo Bay. With sweeping views over the Minami-Boso sea, the mountain can be reached by ropeway or by car.
The Great Buddha of Nihonji, Japan's largest seated stone Buddha, and the Jigoku Nozoki ("Hell Peek") ledge are well worth seeing.
Read our English guide to Mt. Nokogiri
A town in bloom
With its mild climate, Kyonan is also known as a town where flowers bloom all year round. Japanese daffodils begin to bloom in December, followed by the Yoritomo cherry (Kawazu cherry) and, in spring, the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms.
Recommended spots nearby
Nokogiriyama Ropeway
The ropeway takes you easily up to the 329.5 m summit, where the Jusshu Ichiran-dai lookout offers 360-degree views.
Regular: 9:00–17:00 (16 Feb – 15 Nov)
Winter: 9:00–16:00 (16 Nov – 15 Feb)
*Extended hours in summer
Nokogiriyama Museum of Art
Exhibits works on the theme of "Kanaya, a town of stone and art", with special exhibitions rooted in the local community held regularly.
Café Misaki (music and coffee)
True to its name, this café stands on a cape at the foot of Mt. Nokogiri and was the model for the film "Fushigi na Misaki no Monogatari" (The Tale of the Mysterious Cape). Coffee time with a wide view of the sea in a retro atmosphere is pure bliss.
Michi-no-Eki Furari Tomiyama
A roadside station lined with local specialities, farm produce and seasonal flavours. It also serves as the "Highway Oasis Furari" express-bus stop; if you come by bus we will pick you up here (after 14:30, prior reservation required).
Michi-no-Eki Hota Shogakko (the old Hota Elementary School)
The former Hota Elementary School has been renovated and reborn as a roadside station. The building keeps its schoolhouse atmosphere and houses a farmers' market, accommodation, restaurants and more.
Oyama Senmaida Rice Terraces
The rice terraces closest to Tokyo, still farmed today amid nostalgic satoyama scenery. Enjoy the changing seasons: the breezy planting season, the golden harvest, and rows of red spider lilies in bloom. In autumn the torch-lit "Night Festival of the Terraces" and the illuminated "Lights of the Terraces" are held.
Strawberry picking
Enjoy a long season from January to early May. There are many strawberry farms near UMI.
Okuzure Daffodil Village
Some 10 million daffodils blooming across the mountain slopes make a spectacular sight.
Daffodil Road
From late December to January, hundreds of thousands of daffodils bloom on the slopes along the road.
Momiji Road (maple road)
Prefectural Route 182 is lined with autumn colours for about 10 km and is known as Momiji Road. Here you can enjoy the latest autumn foliage in the Kanto region, until around mid-December.
Tokyo-Wan Ferry (Kanaya Port)
Linking Kurihama Port in Yokosuka with Kanaya Port, the Tokyo-Wan Ferry takes 40 minutes each way and is recommended both as transport and as sightseeing. Departures roughly once an hour except at night. A short voyage makes a lovely change of pace.
Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu
A large outlet mall on the Tokyo Bay coast gathering Japanese and international brands. A popular spot for fashion, food and entertainment.
A journey around Minami-Boso, booked on our official site.
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