Akiyoshidai and Akiyoshido Cavern

Mine

A smooth green carpet that continues on forever

Akiyoshidai, with white and gray limestone peeking out from the expanse of vivid green is Yamaguchi’s premier scenic spot. This space is designated as a special natural treasure by the Japanese government. In ancient times, this was a beautiful coral reef at the bottom of the ocean. The area became a limestone plain and karst plateau through the work of submarine volcanoes and the movement of ocean plates over a span of 350 million years. Trekking on the gently rolling hills is popular, and you can spend an enjoyable hour here without changing into special hiking gear.

If you come in February, be sure to see the field burning

Akiyoshidai is flat grasslands without a single tree. In olden times, the people of Yamaguchi used these grasses as feed for their livestock, and Japanese pampas grass in the autumn as building materials for their thatched roofs. A vestige of this practice is the traditional field burning held each February, where all the vegetation is burned. Watching the flames race around the grasslands is a powerful sight. The whole of Akiyoshidai is wrapped in a sacred atmosphere during this event. After the field burning the earth is scorched black, however, sprouts push through in the spring and a fresh and beautiful green carpet of grasses spreads out again.

A mysterious underworld spreading out beneath Akiyoshidai

The ground changes which formed Akiyoshidai also created the huge limestone Akiyoshido Cavern. After crossing the bridge and going through the entrance gaping in front of you, you’ll find what is sometimes called the largest limestone cavern in Asia, a sight sure to amaze all who enter. Akiyoshido Cavern, naturally-formed and with a long history, is also designated by the Japanese government as a special natural treasure. There are a variety of highlights on the leisurely one hour, one kilometer round-trip through the cavern, such as the Hundred Dishes, an accumulation of lime that looks like more than 500 plates stacked on one another, and the massive Golden Pillar, a travertine pillar 15 meters high and four meters in diameter. The illuminated underworld provides a one-of-a-kind experience.

For reference

Address

Akiyoshi, Shuho-cho, Mine-shi
Telephone

0837-62-0305 (Akiyoshidai Tourism and Communication Center)
Hours

Akiyoshidai is free of charge at all times, Akiyoshido Cavern is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Closed

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Price

Akiyoshidai is free of charge, Akiyoshido Cavern is 1,200 yen
Recommended season

Spring to autumn
Website

http://www.karusuto.com/

Access

Yamaguchi Ube Airport is approximately a one and a half hour flight from Haneda Airport.

From Yamaguchi Ube Airport, take the bus to JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station (30 min). From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, take the Bocho Bus to Akiyoshidai (45 min).