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Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park: A Karst Wonderland

Explore Japan's largest karst plateau and magnificent limestone cave at Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

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Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a unique landscape in Japan, featuring a vast karst plateau dotted with limestone formations and home to the Akiyoshido Cave, one of the country's largest limestone caves. The park offers hiking, cave exploration, and seasonal beauty, making it a memorable destination.

A brief summary to Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for hiking the plateau and exploring the Akiyoshido Cave.
  • Visit during different seasons to experience the changing beauty of the park.
  • Check the bus schedule in advance, as services can be infrequent, especially on weekdays.
  • Consider visiting Beppu Benten Pond, known for its cobalt blue water, located near the park.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, take the Bocho Bus to Akiyoshido (approximately 45 minutes, ¥1170). The bus stop is located near the Akiyoshido Entrance of the cave. From Yamaguchi Station, take the JR bus to Akiyoshido (approximately one hour, ¥1210). Be aware that JR passes are not valid on Bocho buses.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are available from Shin-Yamaguchi Station and Yamaguchi Station. The taxi ride from Yamaguchi Station to Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park will cost approximately ¥8,000 - ¥9,500 and take 23 minutes. From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, the taxi will take about 30 minutes.

  • Parking

    If arriving by car, there are parking lots available near the Akiyoshido Entrance. Parking costs ¥500 per day for regular cars. During peak seasons like Golden Week and Obon, parking availability may be limited.

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Discover more about Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park

Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, situated in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a captivating natural attraction renowned for its distinctive karst topography and the expansive Akiyoshido Cave. Designated as a quasi-national park in 1955, the area spans 45.02 square kilometers and showcases a landscape unlike any other in Japan. The park's defining feature is the Akiyoshidai Plateau, Japan's largest karst plateau, characterized by a vast expanse of limestone formations. This topography, formed over millions of years by the dissolution of limestone, was once a coral reef. Rainwater and wind erosion sculpted the landscape into unique karst pinnacles, some reaching up to two meters in height. The plateau's appearance transforms with the seasons, displaying fresh greenery in spring and summer, reddish-yellow hues in autumn, and a blanket of white snow in winter. Every February, the park hosts the Yamayaki ceremony, where the dry grasses are burned off, creating a spectacular sight. Beneath the plateau lies the Akiyoshido Cave, one of Japan's largest and longest limestone caves. Named by Emperor Hirohito in 1926, the cave stretches over 8.79 kilometers, with approximately one kilometer open to the public. Visitors can explore the cave's spacious chambers, admire the diverse speleothems, and witness the underground river. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 17°C, providing a comfortable environment for exploration year-round.

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