Shikoku Karst, Karst landscape at Ehime and Kochi border, Japan
Shikoku Karst is a limestone landscape straddling the border between Ehime and Kōchi prefectures with rolling hills and elevated plateaus. The terrain features open grasslands mixed with distinctive stone formations that characterize karst topography, making it visually distinct from surrounding forested areas.
These limestone formations developed over millions of years as water slowly dissolved and shaped the rock layers beneath the surface. The geological process created the distinctive patterns and cavities visible in the landscape today.
The local population maintains traditional dairy farming practices on the grassy slopes of Shikoku Karst, continuing generations of agricultural heritage.
The area is accessible by road and best explored by car to cover the plateaus and viewpoints. Visiting during warmer months makes the open grasslands more comfortable to walk through, as weather can be unpredictable on the exposed highlands.
The elevated plateau sits far from cities, creating minimal light pollution across the landscape. On clear nights, visitors can see an unusually dense collection of stars overhead, a rare sight in most of Japan's densely populated regions.
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