Hiraodai Karst Plateau & Caves

 

Yougunbaru, which was so names because of the limestone which stands in row like a flock

of sheep in a vast meadow, dolines (conical hollows) and limestone caves create distinctive

scenery. The Plateau offers a different views in each of the four seasons, resembling a burnt

 field in the spring, appearing fresh and green in the early summer, and similar to a dry plain

in the fall. 

 

Hiraodai Countryside Park

There is 22ha of lawn square with observation platform, and a wild grass garden.

There is also a plateau fruit tree garden. Moreover, the visitor can enjoy the experience

of doing activities such as making buckwheat noodle (soba), ceramics, art flower, and

woodwork.​

 

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Limestone Caves

 

There are three limestone Caves in Hiraodai Karst and each cave has different unique features. 

 

Senbutsu limestone Cave

The largest limestone caves in Hiraodai Karst Plateau

extending about 900 m while meandering toward the northeast. The shape of the cave is narrow,

narrow ceiling ravine with a maximum width of 10 m and a maximum ceiling height of 15 m.

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Mejiro limestone Cave

It is the longest cave in Hiraodai Karst, over 2 km in length. The highlight of this cave is the

monolithic ceiling which is a very unique structure as a limestone caves.

 

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Ojika Limestone Cave

The cave is called footfall of dinosaurs.  It is the very rare cave in Japan; the entrance is vertical

pit with 25 meter, when getting down to the bottom, you follow the underground horizontal cave

and you can see the hidden aspects of Hiraodai Karst.

 

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Hirotani Wetland

It is the only wetland in Fukuoka Prefecture, located 600 meters west from Seiryu Cave and

2,500 m east from Hiraodai Nature Observation Center. The wetland is an important part of 

Hiraodai Karst landform, offering a variety of wetland plant life such as the Sagiso (rein orchis),

Tokiso (pogonia), and Nohanasyobu (iris).

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Genaral information  

 

 

 - Kitakyushu travel guide