Hiraodai Plateau

Hiraodai Plateau is located in the southeastern part of Kitakyushu City. It is considered one of the three major karst plateaus in Japan, along with Akiyoshidai and the Shikoku Plateaus. It is designated as a Natural Monument, a Quasi-National Park, and a Prefectural National Park. The plateau ranges from 300 to 700 meters in height and spans 6 kilometers north-south and 2 kilometers east-west. The scenery, with limestone rocks scattered around, resembles groups of sheep strolling in the field. The plateau’s underground features many limestone caves, including the Senbutsu limestone cave, which is listed as a National Monument.

Japanese Official Site (No English Page): Hiraodai Plateau http://www.hiraodai.jp

Karst plateau

A karst plateau is an eroded landform that includes underground features. The ground, made up of water-soluble rocks like limestone, is eroded by rainwater, surface water, soil water, and underground water.

Limestone cave

A limestone cave is a karst geographical feature. The caves are formed through the process of raindrops or underground water eroding the limestone.