Yoshimi-Hyakuana

[From April Issue 2015]

This unique and ancient burial mound consists of numerous caves dug into the rocky hillside. It’s thought that many caves are horizontal burial pits dating from the late Kofun era (6-7th centuries) and at the time of writing 219 have been counted as such. It’s possible to enter some of the caves, while others with their naturally-occurring luminous moss – designated as a protected species – can be viewed and photographed from behind a fence. In the springtime cherry blossoms can be enjoyed on the Hyakuana burial grounds and its environs. There is also a cave built to house a munitions factory during World War II that is often used as a location for television dramas.
Directions: Take the Tobu line to Higashi-Matsuyama Station. Then take the Kawagoe Kanko Bus heading towards Konosu License Center and get off at the “Hyakuana Iriguchi (entrance)” stop. From there it is only a five minute walk. Or you can take the JR Takasaki Line to Konosu Station, then take the Kawagoe Kanko bus bound for Higashi-Matsuyama Station and get off at the “Hyakuana Iriguchi” stop. From there it is only a five minute walk.
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance fees: 300 yen for adults and children of junior high school age or over, 200 yen for elementary students and free to children not yet in elementary school.
Open 365 days a year
Yoshimi-Hyakuana
Text: KAWARATANI Tokiko[2015年4月号掲載記事]

岩山一面にたくさんの穴が見られるユニークな古墳群。古墳時代末期(6~7世紀)の横穴墓と考えられ、確認されているだけで219個。中に入れる横穴もある。国指定の天然記念物ヒカリゴケが自生している横穴もあり、フェンス越しでの撮影が可能。春は百穴構内と付近の桜が楽しめる。第二次世界大戦中に軍需工場目的で掘られた洞窟があり、テレビドラマなどのロケによく使われている。
交通:東武東松山駅下車。川越観光バス鴻巣免許センター行き「百穴入口」下車、徒歩5分、または、JR高崎線鴻巣駅下車 川越観光バス東松山駅行き「百穴入口」下車、徒歩約5分
入園時間:午前8時30分~午後5時
入園料:中学生以上300円 小学生200円 小学生未満無料
年中無休
吉見百穴
文:瓦谷登貴子

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