A pastoral landscape and Japan's largest limestone caverns
Akiyoshidai Plateau, near the city of Mine in Yamaguchi Prefecture , is unlike anything else you will see in Japan. A coral reef existed at the bottom of the sea 300 million years ago on Akiyoshidai. After the sea receded, only the limestone remained, and over time the wind and rain carved the rock into dramatic spires and rocky protrusions.
However, before you explore the winding trails that run through this rocky grassland plateau, you may want to begin with Akiyoshido, the limestone caverns under Akiyoshidai that form the largest such subterranean system in Japan.
Walk through the trees and cross the bridge over the river into the cave known as Akiyoshido. The cave is large, with a well-maintained path. Gentle lighting preserves the atmosphere of this incredible place and illuminates the stunning limestone pools, stalactites and stalagmites to great effect. The water running through the cave makes this an aural experience as well as it whittles the limestone into ever-more fantastic shapes.
However, before you explore the winding trails that run through this rocky grassland plateau, you may want to begin with Akiyoshido, the limestone caverns under Akiyoshidai that form the largest such subterranean system in Japan.
Walk through the trees and cross the bridge over the river into the cave known as Akiyoshido. The cave is large, with a well-maintained path. Gentle lighting preserves the atmosphere of this incredible place and illuminates the stunning limestone pools, stalactites and stalagmites to great effect. The water running through the cave makes this an aural experience as well as it whittles the limestone into ever-more fantastic shapes.
