“Mt. Benten,” the lowest mountain in Japan

It is an official mountain marked on maps issued by the Geographical Survey Institute, and its elevation is 6.1 meters.
It is called "the lowest mountain in Japan" because it is the lowest natural mountain.

Because of its low elevation, there have been zero deaths and zero missing persons, even though it is classified as a natural mountain.
Because of these two zeros, the mountain is said to be blessed with "safety and security.”

When the Taira clan (the most powerful clan in Japan at that time) ruled this area, they invited Itsukushima Shrine, the guardian deity of the clan, from Aki Province, now Hiroshima Prefecture. Thus, the words "Itsukushima Shrine（厳島神社）" are written on the Torii Gate.

After the Taira clan was defeated by the Minamoto clan in 1185, the shrine was named "Benten Shrine" after a deity named Benzaiten to conceal its existence.
Around the Muromachi period (1333-1573), the area became the land we know today, and the road to Tosa (the former name of Kochi Prefecture) was built next to the mountain.

Every year on June 1, the mountain is opened to climbers for the year.

With a height of 6.1 meters, the mountain's opening event is held every year on June 1, prior to the opening of Mt. Fuji on July 1.

This mountain opening event started in 2002.
The event is organized by the NPO Bentenyama Preservation Society.
On the day of the event in 2023, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held after a purification ceremony by the head priest of the shrine.

All the people gathered for the mountain opening event attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In total, the ribbon was cut three times, and at the third time, there was unintentional laughter.
The entire event was conducted in a friendly atmosphere from start to finish.

Participants who reached the summit that day received an "Ascent Certificate" and "Shrine Seal Stamp" from the head priest.

*Normally there is no staff on the mountain, and the certificate and seal stamp are in the glass case there. You put the money for the certificate and the seal stamp in a deposit box at the top. Then you can take them home.
A climbing certificate costs 100 yen, a shrine stamp 300 yen, and a large shrine stamp 1,000 yen.

How to enjoy Mt. Benten

It is also fun to find your "climbing record" as a unique way to enjoy the lowest mountain in Japan.
For me, it took 58 seconds to circle the mountain and less than a minute to climb to the top.

You can take your time and climb slowly, or you can climb fast and climb two or three times.
Find your own way to enjoy it.
However, this is a safe and secure mountain, so please do not get injured!
Mt. Benten is a kind of special hidden tourist spot in Tokushima.
You can offer prayers for safety. And you can discover the lowest natural elevation in Japan.
Why not come and visit?