国指定特別天然記念物。国定公園。ラムサール条約登録湿地。日本地質百選。
石灰岩柱が針山のように群立する（裸出カルストという）ようすから「地獄台」と命名された。
Akiyoshi-dai plateau is a limestone plateau that was originally a coral reef formed in the temperate ocean about 350 million to 250 million years ago (Carboniferous Period to Permian period). On this plateau, different karst topography is apparent. Also, various fossils have been found. Furthermore, the grasslands of this area have been maintained by performing open burning (Yama-yaki) once a year.
