【National Designation：Natural Monument (Geological Feature)】Travertine Terraces at Bora, Miyakojima

The travertine terraces at Bora on Miyako Island is located at the southern shores of the Island, northwest of Cape Higashihenna, at the terraced cliffs of the marine terraces, 30m above sea level, which is also known as Myadu. It stretches out to approximately 70m along the shoreline, starting from about 5m above sea level to the point of low tide on a gentle slope, with a maximum width of 30m. There are limestone pools measuring 10m to several centimeters in diameter. The shape varies, with rounded corners of rectangle, square-oval, half-moon and others, and there are over 300 large and small dish-like shapes piled on the terrain.
The start of formation of these terraces is dated at approximately 3,600 years ago, and it is known that they are continuing to develop today. Travertine terraces and terrain like that of terraced fields where they are filled with flowing water are mostly found in stalactite caves such as the “one hundred plates” of Akiyoshido (in Yamaguchi Prefecture). Those not in caves are limited to places like Jiuzhaigou in China, Pamukkale in Turkey, Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, and Yellowstone National Park in the United States of America, and this type of terrain have not been confirmed on the shores of the Nansei Islands, this far to the southwest.