How do you define mountain? The shape? Or its height?
In Osaka City, an economic center of Western Japan, there is the lowest mountain in Japan which is registered on the formal map of Japanese National Geographical Agency. The hight is only 4.53m (18ft) above the sea level. The shape is, as you see in the picture, just a flat ground.
It is said that about 150 years ago it had a hight of 20m (70ft). But even it isn't a natural mountain. Yes, it is artificial!!
Around 170 years ago ,Tempoh period in Edo Era, it was mounded with the dredged soil of the Port of Osaka. After them they planted many trees, such as cherry trees, on the mound. Since then they have called there Tempoh-zan (Mt. Tempoh). It was nominated as one of the best view points in Osaka at the time.
In these few decades it became lower and lower because of exceeding draw up of underground water. And now it has only a hight of 4.53m.
The neighbors have organised a mountain-climbing club, "Tempoh-zan Alpine Club". And they issue the certify of reaching to the summit of Tempoh-zan for the visiting people for 10yen, almost 10US cents..
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