About
In the tranquil hilly area of Yoshimi Town, Saitama Prefecture, stands the "Yoshimi Hyakuana (Hundred Caves of Yoshimi)," a site that conveys the breath of ancient times to the present day. This place is a cluster of horizontal cave tombs constructed from the late 6th to the late 7th century, and the sight of countless holes aligned on the rocky surface like a beehive captivates the hearts of visitors.
Upon visiting this area, the first thing that catches your eye is the 219 cave tombs carved into the tuffaceous sandstone hills. Each cave features an entrance about one meter in diameter, and inside, there is a "coffin seat" where the coffin would be placed. These tombs were built by the powerful clans of the time to bury family members or kin, and their structure conveys a deep sense of respect and prayer for the deceased.
In 1887 (the 20th year of the Meiji era), Shojiro Tsuboi, a graduate student at the University of Tokyo, conducted an excavation survey of this site. Initially, he believed these horizontal holes were remnants of dwellings and claimed they were the homes of "Korobokkuru," the dwarfs featured in Ainu folklore. However, later research made it clear that these were in fact tombs, and in 1923 (the 12th year of the Taisho era), the site was designated a National Historic Site.
Another attraction of Yoshimi Hyakuana is the "Hikarigoke" (luminous moss) that grows naturally in some of the tombs. This moss appears to emit a faint, emerald-hued light in the darkness, and its fantastic glow enchants visitors. The natural growth of Hikarigoke in the Kanto Plain is extremely rare, and it was designated a National Natural Monument in 1928 (the 3rd year of the Showa era). However, due to recent changes in the environment, its numbers have declined, and local people are striving to protect it.
Furthermore, in the final stages of World War II, a large munitions factory was built underground at this site. The Nakajima Aircraft Company relocated its factory here to avoid air raids, and tunnels were dug underground for the production of aircraft parts. However, the war ended before full-scale production could begin, and the remains of these tunnels still exist today. This historical background shows that Yoshimi Hyakuana is not merely an archaeological site, but a place that has played various roles as times have changed.
Visiting Yoshimi Hyakuana allows you to feel, up close, the layers of history from ancient times to the present. The countless holes etched into the rocky surface seem to speak to us across the ages, and within the silence, one can almost hear the breath and prayers of people from the past. Walking through this place, your journey into the depths of history is sure to begin.