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Shikoku Karst

A huge plateau between Ehime and Kochi studded with limestone outcrops.

Shikoku Karst

Shikoku Karst is a karst plateau on the border between Ehime and Kōchi prefectures. Its elevation is about 1,400 m. From east to west it’s about 25 km wide.

It’s one of the three major karsts in Japan and the highest altitude, overlooking the surrounding mountains such as Mt. Ishizuchi.

From the west to Ōnogahara, Mezurudaira, Godan Highland, and Tengu Highland, the gently undulating plateau is covered with green meadows in summer and Japanese pampas grass in autumn. In some places, limestone crags are exposed on the surface of the earth due to erosion. It’s also famous as a dairy cow grazing area. In Japan, cows outside are a rare sight, so make the most of it! The area was designated by Ehime Prefecture as Shikoku Karst Prefectural Natural Park in 1964.

Route 383 is known as “tenkū no michi”, the road in the sky, because the clouds feel close at hand. Also, since there’s no light pollution up here, the stars can be seen very clearly at night.

Karsts are typically associated with caves, and there are several limestone cave systems on the borders of the karst area, in Seiyo and Tsuno.

Information

Name in Japanese: 四国カルスト

Pronunciation: shikoku karusuto

Address: Nishidani, Kumakogen, Kamiukena District, Ehime 791-1802

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