Ōnogahara, Karst tableland in Seiyo, Japan.
Ōnogahara is a karst tableland in Ehime Prefecture that stretches across a high plateau with elevations between 1,100 and 1,400 meters (3,600 and 4,600 feet). The terrain features limestone formations emerging from grasslands, creating a distinctive patchwork landscape.
The plateau formed millions of years ago through geological processes that deposited limestone and created the karst landscape we see today. This natural formation has remained largely unchanged since its formation.
Local herders have shaped this landscape through centuries of cattle grazing, which continues to define how the grasslands look and function today.
Multiple hiking trails cross the plateau with parking areas and rest facilities near the main entrances. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions for walking across the open grasslands.
The plateau features observation points where the contrast between white limestone patches and green grasslands becomes visually striking. These patterns shift noticeably as seasons change and light conditions vary throughout the day.
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