Yoshimi Hyakuana, Saitama

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“Yoshimi Hyakuana” (Hundred Holes of Yoshimi) in Hiki-gun, Saitama is a historic site characterized by a hole in a rocky mountain. The basement is also famous as haunted places. However, not only as a cave or haunted places, it is crowded with people coming to see the beautiful cherry blossoms in spring.
Yoshimi Hyakuana is a nationally designated historic site in Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture. A number of holes in the hill are characteristic. Each one of these holes is a burial tomb made in the Kofun period, that is, an ancient grave. 219 side hole tombs are currently confirmed.
Yoshimi Hyakuana has long been interested as a mysterious hole. In the old days, this is described in the Edo period literature. For this reason, excavations have been conducted from an early stage. At the time of excavation in 1887, many human bones and excavated items were discovered.
Under this rocky mountain of Yoshimi Hyakuana, there was once an underground munitions factory. It was around the end of the Pacific War. From 1944 to 1945, munitions factories were built in and around the Yoshimi Hyakuana. Until then, factories on the ground were damaged by air raids, and in order to avoid them, the factory was moved to the basement. Yoshimi Hyakuana is also associated with this negative legacy.

Although there is lighting, the inside of the cave is dim. Currently, it can only be entered halfway and is separated by an iron grid. The inside is cool even in summer. Its coolness is so selected as “Sai no Kuni Cool Spot”.
Yoshimi Hyakuana is also popular as a cherry blossom spot. The cherry blossoms are said to be in bloom from late March to early April every year. Also, at this time, the “100 Hyakuana Sakura Festival” will be held. The night cherry blossoms are lit up only on this day, and you can enjoy the cherry blossoms and Yoshimi Hyakuana in a fantastic atmosphere.
The business hours of Yoshimi Hyakuana are from 8:30 to 17:00. There are no closed days, open all year round. Admission is 300 yen for junior high school students and above, 200 yen for elementary school students, and free for preschool kids.
There are two ways to access the Yoshimi Hyakuana if you are on the train. When using the Tobu Tojo Line, the nearest station is “Higashimatsuyama Station”. From Higashimatsuyama Station, take the Kawagoe Kanko Bus bound for “License Center” and arrive at “Hyakuana Entrance” in about 5 minutes. When using the Japan Railway Takasaki Line, the nearest station is Konosu Station. From Kōnosu Station, take the “To Higashimatsuyama Station” line and arrive at “Hyakuana Entrance” in about 25 minutes. You can reach Yoshimi Hyakuana from the Hyakuana entrance in about 5 minutes on foot.

Tomb ruins built in the Kofun period about 1,300 years ago

In Yoshimi-cho, Saitama Prefecture, there are “Yoshimi Hyakuana” (Hundred Holes of Yoshimi), where countless holes are like honeycombs on the hillside. The identity of this strange hole is a tomb trace that was built in the Kofun period about 1,300 years ago. From the Edo era, it is called “a mysterious hole”, and human bones and jewels were excavated in the excavation survey in the Meiji era. Before it turned out to be a grave, various opinions such as “It is the residence of korpokkur” have been exchanged.

There is also a “munition factory trace” dug down as a military factory during wartime, and the tunnels of 500 meters on the left and right continue like a net. It is only a part of them that is open now. The entry restricted area is shielded by steel fence and unique atmosphere. There are 219 square side holes in the middle of the hill, some of which are actually inside and you can visit there. “Horizontal hole tomb” is a thing that digs a hole in a slope of a small hill or the ground and buried a dead body. It is one of the largest in Japan, as one that was concentrated in one place. “Passageway” of the entrance is very narrow, and you can not pass unless you make the body smaller. The part of the inside of a slightly widened “burial chamber” like a raised table is a space called a coffin pedestal, which placed the coffin. Since the size and format of the “burial chamber” are various, it is one of the pleasure to compare and think about what kind of person was buried. Those excavated from here are various, such as human bones, jewels and pottery.
A precious nation designated natural treasure “luminous moss” is also growing nationwide in front of North Road, which is a popular spot where mysterious things gather.

Cappadocia in Saitama

Cappadocia located in the mid-western part of Turkey is known as the underground city with many holes, but there are very similar remains in Japan. It is “Yoshimi Hyakuana” (Hundred Holes of Yoshimi) of Yoshimi town, Saitama with a nickname of “Cappadocia of Saitama”. On the slope of the rocky mountain of the tufa, there are more than 200 holes 1 meter in diameter, 2-3 meters in depth.

Group of cave graves

Yoshimi-Hyakuana is a group of cave graves during the end of the Kofun period (around the mid seventh century) approximately 1,300 years ago, and seems to be interested in people as “a mysterious holes” from old days.

National Historical Site

In the survey conducted in 1887, a large number of remains such as gemstones, vessels made of metal, earthenware vessels were excavated. It is designated as a National Historical Site in 1923, and the existence of 219 holes is confirmed now.

National natural treasure

Another highlight of Yoshimi-Hyakuana is luminous moss. A luminous moss emits fantastic green light. They mostly inhabit in the mountainous district, and it seems to be extremely unusual to be seen on Kanto area. This has been designated a national natural treasure in 1928, too.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)

Name:	Yoshimi-Hyakuana / Luminous Moss
Adresse:	Kitayoshimi 324 Hikigun Yoshimimachi, Saitama 355-0155 Japan
Access:	Tobu Tojo-sen Line “Higashi-Matsuyama-eki Station” (12 minutes by bus)
Tel:	(+81) 493-54-4541
Price:	300 yen (Adult) 200 yen (Elementary School Children) Free (Preschool Kids) Please refer the official web page.
Official site:	http://www.town.yoshimi.saitama.jp/