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Akiyoshido

山口県

4.4

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

Natural beauty that will leave you in awe. One of Japan's largest limestone caves.

The total length of the cave is the largest in Japan, exceeding 10km. On the approximately 1km tourist course, you can see numerous natural formations. In particular, the "Hyakumadara" that resembles terraced rice fields is worth seeing.

Features & How to Enjoy

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Highlights

Point 1

Overwhelmed by the Stalactites on the Terraced Rice Fields

Probably the most famous spot in Akiyoshido, many people may have seen it in photos. After walking for a while inside the cave, you'll come across the "Hyakumadara" (Hundred Plateaus). You'll be overwhelmed by the sight of stalactites of various sizes, resembling terraced rice fields. Some travelers may even think it looks like Pamukkale in Turkey! Although it's called "Hyakumadara" (Hundred Plateaus), in reality, there are more than 500 connected stalactites, so it might be interesting to count them once.

Point 2

Comparing Height with a Golden Pillar that Looks Like Lace

The Golden Pillar inside Akiyoshido Cave is an impressive stone pillar that is 15 meters tall and 4 meters wide. It's said to have been formed over a long period of time by underground water flowing from the ceiling and along the walls, allowing visitors to truly appreciate the power of nature. The center pillar is surrounded by many thin pillars that overlap, creating a delicate lace-like appearance. Comparing your height to the Golden Pillar allows you to better appreciate its size!

Point 3

Discover Mt. Fuji inside a Cave

After passing through the hundred-plateau, you'll enter a spacious area where the "Cave Mt. Fuji" stands out like the real Mt. Fuji. While Cave Mt. Fuji can be found in other limestone caves, the one inside Akiyoshido Cave is overwhelmingly large and impressive. It's said that the water dripping from the ceiling created this huge mountain, and it's amazing to think that such a large structure was formed over a long period of time.

Point 4

Be Amazed by an Abundance of Stalactites

At the entrance to the Senjojiki area, the largest area inside the cave, there is a group of stalactites called "Kasadori". It is said to be named after the way old umbrella shops used to hang their umbrellas from the ceiling. The sight of many icicles hanging from the ceiling is truly fascinating and captivating.

Point 5

Viewing the "Jellyfish Waterfall Climb"

On the way to the final cave, there is a spot called the "Jellyfish Waterfall Climb," which looks like jellyfish climbing up a waterfall. While jellyfish that live in seawater don't actually climb waterfalls, one can't help but imagine what it would look like if they did. It seems that the underground water seeping from the rock wall has created this unique feature, which has been named the "Waterfall-shaped Limestone Deposits."

Point 6

Comparing the "Hyakumaidara" and "Chimachida" Plates

In addition to the "Hyakumaidara" plates, there are also formations called "Chimachida" in the Akiyoshido Cave that resemble the terraced rice paddies of the region. These formations spread out in the space beyond the Mt. Fuji area of the cave and have softer curves than the Hyakumaidara plates. It's a truly fantastic sight to behold. While they may resemble the rural terraced rice paddies more than the Hyakumaidara plates, how do you feel about them? Why not compare the two and find out for yourself?

Point 7

Challenge Yourself on the "Adventure Course"

To fully enjoy Akiyoshido Cave, why not try the "Adventure Course" instead of just following the tourist route? Starting from the left side of the "Aotenjo" near the main entrance of the cave, this course climbs the rocky surface and follows an unmarked path, relying on the light of your flashlight. It's a 100-meter, 10-15 minute course that will stimulate your sense of adventure with activities such as climbing ladders and crawling through holes. Enjoy the thrill of the adventure!

Required time

Recommended to Allow About an Hour and a Half

The tourist course at Akiyoshido Cave is about 1 kilometer long, and takes about 60 minutes as a guideline, but it takes about 90 minutes to go back and forth. You can enjoy walking while crawling through gaps and climbing ladders, not just walking. By the way, the ground is slippery and wet, so it is recommended to visit in shoes that are not slippery, such as sneakers.

Access

About 30 Minutes by Car from JR Shinyamaguchi Station

It's convenient to access Akiyoshido by car. It takes about 30 minutes by car from JR Shinyamaguchi Station, where the Nozomi Shinkansen stops, and about 45 minutes by car from Yamaguchi Ube Airport if you come by plane. There is also a municipal parking lot in front of Akiyoshido, so you can rest assured. If you can't use a car, it will take a little longer, but there are buses from JR Shinyamaguchi Station and JR Yamaguchi Station, so use them.

Fee

Adults can enter for 1,300 yen!

To enter Akiyoshido Cave, adults and high school students need to pay 1,300 yen, middle school students need to pay 1,050 yen, and elementary school students need to pay 700 yen. There is also a group discount for 20 people or more, so it would be lucky if you can apply it when going with a large group. To enjoy Akiyoshido Cave even more, there is a place called the "Adventure Course," which you can enter for an additional 300 yen. Since you've come all this way, why not try it out?

Basic Information

	Address	3506-2 Akiyoshi, Akiyoshi-cho, Mine-shi, Yamaguchi 754-0511
	Business Hours	Mon: 8:30～4:30 Tue: 8:30～16:30 Wed: 8:30～16:30 Thu: 8:30～16:30 Fri: 8:30～16:30 Sat: 8:30～16:30 Sun: 8:30～16:30
	TEL	0837-62-0305
	Web Site	https://karusuto.com/spot/akiyoshido/

Average Review

4.4

5 Reviews

日本三大鍾乳洞の中でも1番広くて大きい鍾乳洞。入り口までお土産屋さんは食べ歩きのお店も少しだがある。昔の写真をみると凄い行列だったのがわかる。高知の龍河洞とちがって上にも横にも広い鍾乳洞で。天空の城ラピュタで目玉焼きを食べるシーンを思い出した。往復1時間ぐらい。+300円で冒険コースもあった。一度は来てもいい場所だとおもう。

想像以上に素晴らしかったです。まず、洞窟の広さに圧倒されました。入口から入るとひんやりとした空気が広がり、すぐに非日常的な空間に引き込まれます。特に「百枚皿」や「黄金柱」といった鍾乳石の造形は本当に壮観で、自然が生み出す芸術に感動しました。道は整備されていて歩きやすく、途中にはライトアップも施されているので、幻想的な雰囲気を楽しむことができました。観光客が多い時期でも、洞内は広々としているので、人混みが気になりませんでした。友人と一緒に行ったのですが、探検気分が味わえるので、写真を撮ったり、珍しい鍾乳石を見つけたりと、終始盛り上がりました。鍾乳洞は自然が長い年月をかけて作り上げた場所なので、その歴史や神秘を感じられる点もよかったです。秋芳洞はアクセスも比較的良好で、駐車場も整備されているので、ドライブがてら訪れるのにもぴったりです。自然好きの人や、少し変わった観光地を探している人には本当におすすめです。

夕方ごろ、小雨の中行きましたが天候気温関係なく楽しめるのでおすすめです。スニーカー、運動靴超必須です。（そのほうが足場気にせず楽しめると思います。）随所の音声案内（音声説明？）も良く、自然が好きな方は精一杯楽しめると思います。近くのお土産屋さんは、16:30頃に閉まってしまうので注意が必要です。私は鍾乳洞を満喫した後に伺ったので、買う時間を逃して何も買えずに帰宅してしまいました…笑

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