Benten Mountain in Tokushima Prefecture is the shortest natural mountain in Japan, standing at just 6.1 meters tall with a diameter of nearly 60 meters.
Situated amidst fertile rice fields along Route 10 in Tokushima Prefecture, Benten Mountain is not only the shortest mountain in Japan but also one of the shortest mountains in the world.
Pathway to the summit of Benten Mountain. (Photo: Wikimedia).
On average, visitors take only 1 minute to reach the summit. However, over 10,000 tourists conquer this journey each year. For some, climbing a mountain only 6.1 meters tall is a unique experience. Others come to admire the stunning natural scenery, including the cypress trees, camellias, and various flowers growing along the cliffs. A few visitors come to Benten Mountain to explore the Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Benzaiten.
Benten Mountain officially opens to tourists on June 1, coinciding with the event of “The First Climbing Season of the New Year.” Visitors who reach the 6.1-meter summit on this day receive a climbing certificate along with a small token. Throughout the year, Japan’s shortest mountain hosts many exciting events, from cherry blossom festivals to wedding ceremonies.
It is no surprise that not only is Benten the shortest mountain, but it is also the safest mountain in Japan. There have been no recorded accidents or missing person reports here.
In contrast to Benten, Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island, is the tallest mountain in Japan, with an elevation of 3,776.24 meters above sea level, making it the second highest peak on an island in Asia and the seventh highest in the world.
Video exploring the shortest mountain in Japan (Source: YouTube).
