Question 1

Can I come by the Tokyo Bay Ferry?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Take the Tokyo Bay Ferry from Kurihama in Kanagawa to Kanaya Port, then walk about 12 minutes to the ropeway base station. It is a convenient route from the Kanagawa side.

Question 2

How do I get to the Jigoku-nozoki lookout?

Accepted Answer

For the summit observation point (Jigoku-nozoki) and the Hyakushaku Kannon, it is easiest to enter from the west gate using the Nokogiriyama Ropeway or the toll mountain road. To visit the Great Buddha and the Yakushi main hall as well, allow a further 30-40 minutes of climbing.

Question 3

How do I get there by train?

Accepted Answer

Leave Hamakanaya Station on the JR Uchibo Line and walk 8 minutes along Route 127 towards Tateyama to reach the Nokogiriyama Ropeway base station. It is also about 12 minutes' walk from Kanaya Port, served by the Tokyo Bay Ferry from Kurihama.

Question 4

What are the visiting hours and charges?

Accepted Answer

Visiting hours are 9:00-16:00 (last admission 15:00). Admission is 700 yen for adults and 400 yen for children.

Question 5

How large are the temple grounds?

Accepted Answer

The grounds cover more than 100,000 tsubo on the southern slope of Nokogiriyama. They are divided into five areas (the main approach, the mid-slope, the Great Buddha plaza, the rakan area and the summit), with five entrance gates in all.

Question 6

Should I wear comfortable shoes?

Accepted Answer

Parts of the grounds are paved, but being on a mountain there are many steps and some difficult stretches. The official website asks visitors to come in comfortable shoes, so please wear trainers or similar.

Question 7

What is the cliff-carved Great Buddha?

Accepted Answer

The principal image is Yakushi Rurikou Nyorai, the tallest cliff-carved Buddha in Japan. Looking up at it from the Great Buddha plaza, its sheer scale is overwhelming.

Question 8

What are the 1,500 rakan statues?

Accepted Answer

They are a group of about 1,500 stone rakan figures in the rakan area of the grounds. Some were damaged during the anti-Buddhist movement of the Meiji period, but the mossy figures scattered through the mountain make an atmosphere not to be missed.

Question 9

I heard it is famous for hydrangeas.

Accepted Answer

About 20,000 hydrangea plants flower along the approach, centred on the Great Buddha plaza. They are usually at their best in June, colouring the grounds along with the white flowers of the tung tree.

Question 10

What is the Hyakushaku Kannon?

Accepted Answer

It is a large Kannon figure carved into the rock face of the mountain and one of the main sights in the grounds. It stands in the summit area and can be seen along with the Jigoku-nozoki lookout.

Question 11

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

There are car parks at three places: the east gate (via the free road), the Great Buddha gate and the west gate (via the toll road). Note that there is no car park at the main approach entrance.

Question 12

When is it closed?

Accepted Answer

Open every day (it may close at short notice in bad weather).

Question 13

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

Parking is available. Please check the official information for details.

Question 14

What is the address?

Accepted Answer

Nokogiriyama, Kyonan Town, Awa District, Chiba Prefecture

Question 15

How do I get there?

Accepted Answer

8 minutes' walk from Hamakanaya Station on the JR Uchibo Line to the Nokogiriyama Ropeway base station. About 12 minutes' walk from Kanaya Port, served by the Tokyo Bay Ferry, to the ropeway base station.

Question 16

What are the opening hours?

Accepted Answer

9:00-16:00 (last admission 15:00).

Question 17

How much is admission?

Accepted Answer

Adults 700 yen, children 400 yen.

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