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<\/h1>\nKarst Topography and Alpine Plants\n\n\t<\/h1>\nKarst Topography and Alpine Plants\n\n\tMaikomidaira is a large polje, a type of basin that is characteristic of karst topography<\/b>. Situated on the southern side of Mt. Kurohimeyama, a 1,222 meter limestone mountain<\/b>, the entire region is blanketed with dolines, ponors, vertical caves<\/b>, and other features of karst topography<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Karst topography<\/b> is a type of landform created when large areas of soluble rock (such as limestone) dissolve, leaving behind unique stone formations and caves.<\/p>\n
As a result of the protuberance of the surrounding limestone areas<\/b>, several vertical caves<\/b> measuring hundreds of meters deep have taken form in the area. Including Byakuren Cave (Deepest in Japan at 513m) and Senri Cave (Second deepest at 405m)<\/b>, the four deepest caves in Japan are found here in Maikomidaira. Water which collects in Maikomidaira travels approximately 3.5km underground to Fukugakuchi Limestone Cave<\/b> where it is expelled into what becomes the Toumigawa River, finally emptying into the Sea of Japan.<\/p>\n
With heavy snowfall<\/b> common for the region, snow often collects in the dolines at Maikomidaira, where they often remain throughout summer, creating an environment not unlike that of the glacial periods. Entering into the bottom of the sink holes, various alpine flora appear. These plants are usually not found below elevations of 2,500m.<\/b> Partially owing to the dangerous nature of the topography here, entrance to Maikomidaira is restricted to those who have obtained special permission.<\/b><\/p>\n\t![\"Maikomidaira](\"\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/map7.png\")
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