The are a system of talus caves about north of à Âdate along Japan National Route 7.
Even in midsummer, when the outside temperature is around 30 ðC (86 ðF), a cool wind of around 5–6 ðC (41–42 ðF) blows through the caves.
Higher on the slopes of is a vent into the caves which in turn act as an air duct facilitating the vertical transfer of heat. During the summer, cool air flows downward through the caves, while during winter the convection is reversed and warm air flows upward. About under the caves is the where cold groundwater rises.
Since ancient times an stood at this site. The caves themselves had long been regarded as haunted.
In 1902, of à Âuchi, later called the , realized the caves' potential as a natural refrigerator and began researching them. In 1912, Sasaki built the first of 7 cold storehouses connected to the caves' air circulation. Later, a total of more than 20 storehouses were built and these remained in use until the 1960s. They were mainly used to store apples.
In 1998, a visitor center for the caves built by the Agency for Cultural Affairs opened to the public. The visitor center is located at the entrance of and contains a small museum. A restaurant, the , is located across the street from the visitor center.