Mine, Historic mining town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Mine is a city in Yamaguchi Prefecture that spreads across limestone cave systems and karst plateaus dotted with traditional red-roofed houses. Villages nestle among rice fields that form the patchwork of the rural landscape.
The city was formed in 1954 when thirteen villages merged together, building on a foundation of copper mining. Over time it transformed from a mining community into a center serving industry and tourism.
The Yamayaki festival in February brings locals together to burn dry grasses across the plateau, a practice that shapes how people relate to the land. This fire ritual has been part of daily life here for many generations.
The terrain is hilly and requires good walking shoes for comfortable exploration, especially when visiting the caves and plateaus. The best time to visit is outside the rainy season, when paths are drier and easier to walk.
Akiyoshido, Japan's longest limestone cave system stretching over 10 kilometers, lies within the city's boundaries and draws visitors into underground worlds. The cave is known for its stalactites and stalagmites that have grown over thousands of years.
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