Elevation 0m The Most Lowest Mountain in Japan

Mount Ogata Fuji

(Ogata Village, Akita Prefecture)

【Hyouko (標高)】 translates to ‘elevation’ in English, referring to the measurement of how high a point is above sea level. Elevation commonly describes the height of mountains. For instance, Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, has an elevation of 3,776 meters.

Ogata Village in Akita Prefecture claims that Mt. Ogata-Fuji is the lowest mountain in Japan, with its summit at an elevation of 0 meters. How can a mountain peak be at the same level as sea level?

The village of Ogata is situated on reclaimed land. This area was once Lake Hachirō, the second-largest lake in Japan. However, the lake was filled in as part of a Japanese government policy to expand agricultural fields. The reclaimed land now consists of vast, orderly plots, resembling a checkerboard. Due to its origins as a lake bed, the land lies 4 meters below sea level.

The Akita Association of Surveyors came up with the idea to commemorate their 20th anniversary by constructing a man-made mountain. It stands at a height of 3,776 meters, precisely 1/1000th the height of Mt. Fuji, with its summit at an elevation of 0 meters. This cone-shaped mountain was built on June 3rd, 1995, the Day of Surveying. Its height must be accurate because surveying is the association's specialty. That is how the lowest mountain in Japan was made.

However, there are three other mountains that claim to be the lowest in Japan. Each local community makes its own case for why their mountain should hold the title.

Mt. Hiyoshi, standing at 3.0 meters, is a man-made mountain in Miyagi Prefecture. Originally 6.05 meters tall, the mountain was destroyed during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The local community rebuilt the mountain in 2014 and declared it the lowest in Japan.

Mt. Tenpo, at 4.53 meters, is a historical man-made mountain in Osaka Prefecture. Built in 1831, the site has served as a relaxation and refreshment space for locals. It has a rich history that sets it apart from the mountain that was built recently.

Mt. Benten, rising to 6.1 meters, is located in Tokushima Prefecture. It claims to be the lowest natural mountain in Japan, as opposed to the man-made or reconstructed mountains.

The question of what qualifies as a mountain and how to determine the lowest one remains unanswered. The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, the most prestigious organization in terms of geography, does not have a specific definition for a mountain. While they recognize Mt. Fuji has the highest peak in Japan, they do not identify the lowest one.

Regardless of which mountain holds the title of the lowest, Mt. Ogata Fuji and the area offers beautiful scenery. The road leading to this unique mountain is lined with cherry blossoms and yellow canola flowers, making it a picturesque visit in Spring.

It's worth noting that there is a local bus stop right in front of the mountain. However, the buses only run eight times a day from the JR Hachiro-Gata station, so it's important to check the timetable before planning a visit.