Plum Blossoms and Buddha

On the Boso Peninsula of Chiba Prefecture lies a hidden gem most tourists don't ever see. It's Mount Nokogiri (鋸山), or "Sawtooth Mountain."

The costal spot has it all: breath-taking nature, ancient buddhist carvings, wild monkeys and -- during the spring -- dazzling plum blossoms. Tourists can lay their eyes on the towering, hand-carved "Daibutsu" or giant buddha at Nihon-ji Temple, surrounded by vibrantly pink blossoms. It's magnificently tranquil in any season but visiting it in spring was especially charming.