Photo: pastaitaken / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
Akiyoshi-do (Akiyoshi Cave)
あきよしどう
One of Japan's leading limestone caves with a total length of 10 kilometers. It is a Special Natural Monument featuring the breathtaking Hyakumaizara (Hundred Plate) and Ogonbashira (Golden Pillar).
Overview
Spanning 10,300 meters in total length, this is the third-largest limestone cave in Japan, located 100 to 200 meters underground in the Akiyoshidai area. It was designated as a Special Natural Monument in 1952 CE. The tourist path covers approximately 1 kilometer, showcasing two major symbols: the Hyakumaizara (a series of about 500 limestone steps) and the Ogonbashira (a massive flowstone pillar approximately 15 meters high). The cave is home to a rich variety of cave-dwelling organisms, including endemic species, and serves as an important base for caving research. The temperature inside remains stable at around 17 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
Highlights
- ・Total length of 10km; Japan's third-largest limestone cave
- ・Hyakumaizara (approximately 500 limestone steps)
- ・Ogonbashira (flowstone pillar approximately 15m high)
- ・Special Natural Monument
Details may change. Please check official sources before visiting.