Japan’s annual climbing season has officially begun for one of the country’s most unusual peaks: Mt. Hiyoriyama, a mountain so small that reaching the summit takes just six steps, as reported by SoraNews24.
Mount Hiyori (Hiyori-yama) and Oyu Numa in Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido, Japan/Wpcpey/Wikimedia Commons
Located in Sendai’s Miyagino Ward, the three-metre-high mountain welcomed hikers on 5 July during its traditional opening ceremony, an annual event that marks the start of the climbing season. Around 150 people attended this year’s celebration before making the short journey to the trailhead.
While participants spent about an hour walking from the ceremony venue to the mountain, the climb itself lasted only a few seconds. The single trail to the summit can reportedly be completed in around six steps, making it one of the quickest mountain ascents in the world.
Mt. Hiyoriyama has officially held the title of Japan’s shortest mountain since 2014, when the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan surveyed its elevation at just three metres. The measurement edged out the previous record holder, Mt. Tempo in Osaka, which stands at 4.53 metres.
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Despite its tiny stature, Mt. Hiyoriyama remains a recognised mountain rather than a hill. The name has been used for centuries, and the Japanese word yama, meaning “mountain”, has remained part of its identity throughout its history.
The mountain was once roughly twice as tall but lost around three metres in height following the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Today, the annual climbing ceremony serves as both a community tradition and a light-hearted attraction that draws visitors from across Japan.
For travellers looking to tick off one of the country’s most unusual experiences, Mt. Hiyoriyama offers a summit that’s accessible to almost everyone. The nearest station is Rikuzen-Takasago Station on the Senseki Line, followed by a walk of around 65 minutes to the trailhead.
It may not test your endurance, but Japan’s shortest mountain certainly proves that memorable adventures don’t always come at high altitude.
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