Mount Nokogiri, Mountain peak in Ina and Hokuto, Japan
Mount Nokogiri is a mountain on the border between Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures in Japan, with its jagged ridge forming a natural dividing line between the two regions. The slopes drop steeply on both sides into the surrounding valleys, giving the summit a sharp and recognizable profile from a distance.
The mountain received its current name during the Muromachi period, when people living nearby noticed that the ridge line looked like the teeth of a traditional Japanese saw. The name stuck, and it has been used ever since to describe this stretch of highland on the prefectural border.
The name Nokogiri means "saw" in Japanese, and the jagged outline of the ridge makes this meaning immediately obvious from below. Climbers often pause along the trail to look back and see for themselves how the skyline matches the shape of a saw blade.
The mountain can be approached from both the Ina and Hokuto sides, with parking areas near the main trailheads on each side. The terrain is steep in many sections, so good hiking boots and a reasonable level of fitness are important before setting out.
Mount Nokogiri appears on two separate official mountain lists: the 200 Famous Mountains of Japan and the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamanashi, a combination that draws serious peak-baggers to this area. Having a summit recognized on both lists at once is relatively rare among mountains in the region.
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