Discover the Hidden Spots of the Boso Peninsula, Gateway to Tokyo

The Boso Peninsula is a large land mass located in the southern part of Chiba Prefecture, which takes only an hour and a half from Tokyo by car or bus. Although the Boso Peninsula is easily accessible from the capital, the area boasts dramatic natural scenery like lush hills, pristine coastlines and rugged cliffs. While busy Tokyo bustles with energy, the people living on the Boso Peninsula take a more laidback approach, making it ideal for a relaxing getaway filled with scenic beauty and the simple pleasures in life.

Distance from nearest ryokan: 10 min by car from SAZANE, 30 min by car from THE SHINRA

“Nokogiriyama” means Sawtooth Mountain in Japanese, a reference to its rugged stone peaks. In addition to offering unparalleled vistas, the mountain attracts visitors with a range of important historical and religious sites, including the biggest rock-carved Buddha in Japan and a jagged overhang with vertiginous views called Jigoku-Nozoki or “Glimpse of Hell”. There is a ropeway just 15 minutes by foot from the harbor that takes you effortlessly to the summit of the mountain. Or you can also hike an array of trails suitable for all skill levels, enjoying wildlife encounters and lush forest along the way.

Along the main trail, you will see hundreds of small stone arhat, statues of enlightened beings, each with unique features. Another trail leads to a towering carving of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji rising over Tokyo Bay from the top of Nokogiriyama. The view is quite picturesque and showcases the natural beauty of the Boso Peninsula.

Distance from nearest ryokan: 25 min by car from SAZANE, 45 min by car from THE SHINRA

The Oyama Senmaida, located in Kamogawa City, is one of the most beautiful terraced rice fields in Japan. The curved ridges are cut into terraced paddies that naturally fill with rainwater between mid-October and early January, creating a kaleidoscope of mirrors reflecting the sky. The terraces present a different view in every season, sometimes lush with stalks bent heavy with rice, sometimes fully of birds come to glean after the harvest, but always a striking picture of rural beauty.

Distance from nearest ryokan: 30 min by car from SAZANE, 5 min by car from THE SHINRA

Kameda Sake Brewery was established in 1757 in Kamogawa City. Since 1871, it has been providing sake for the Daijo-sai, the traditional Shinto ritual in which the Japanese emperor is enthroned.

Kameda Sake Brewery holds tours two times a day throughout the year. The staff will take you through the brewery, explaining the painstaking process of producing their exclusive sake. At the gallery upstairs, you can also take a look at their collection of sake-making equipment from the days before mechanization.

After the tour, you can visit their store and buy some sake for souvenirs for your family and friends back home.