Mount Machikane, Mountain summit at Osaka University Toyonaka Campus, Japan
Mount Machikane is a mountain rising 77.3 meters within the grounds of Osaka University's Toyonaka Campus in Osaka Prefecture. The summit sits among academic buildings and green spaces, connected by walking paths that allow access from various points around the university.
The mountain gained scientific importance when construction of university buildings revealed prehistoric fossils in the ground. These findings were later commemorated in academic research and studies about the region's ancient past.
The mountain, known as Machikane-yama in Japanese, serves as a meeting point where students gather between classes and use the natural space for outdoor learning. The location helps people feel connected to the green surroundings in the middle of campus life.
The mountain can be accessed through several entry points around the campus, with clear walking paths leading upward. Wear comfortable shoes for the short climb and allow time to explore the wooded slopes.
The slopes contain preserved remains of Toyotamaphimeia machikanensis, a prehistoric crocodile species named after this location. The fossils offer rare evidence of what lived in Japan millions of years ago.
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