Limestone cave
We will introduce you to some limestone cave spots across the country that you can reach from Osaka.
All over Japan, there are mysterious limestone caves that were created by nature over thousands of years.
Surrounded by cool air and mysterious scenery,
Why not spend some special time away from your everyday life?
Move the cursor over the map to see each area and travel time from Osaka.
Click the "More" button to jump to the information of each prefecture in the page.
Introducing spots by area
Tohoku
EAST
Tamura City in Fukushima Prefecture is a mysterious highland city that is home to Abukuma Cave, which boasts a large number and variety of stalactites and stalagmites. Along the city's roads and within the shrine grounds, you can see "dolls," gods who are said to ward off evil and illness.
Iwate Prefecture is known as the "Kingdom of Limestone Caves," and one of Japan's three largest limestone caves, Ryusendo Cave, located in Iwaizumi Town, is a prime example. Its underground lake, one of the most transparent in the world, is also a spectacular sight.
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SPOT 01
Abukuma Cave
A natural beauty created over the ages. Inside the 600m open section of the cave, you can see a wide variety of stalactites.
Enjoy the natural art created by a single drop of groundwater, including Takine Palace, the largest hall in the cave, and Moon World, the first limestone cave in Japan to feature a lighting system for stage productions. -
SPOT 02
Ryusendo Cave
Ryusendo Cave is one of Japan's three largest limestone caves, and about 700 meters of it is open to the public as a tourist course. Its highlights include the mysterious cave space that extends in a straight line from the entrance, and the underground lake that is filled with crystal clear water and shines a "dragon blue."
Kanto
EAST
Okutama Town is entirely encompassed by Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, and is blessed with a rich natural environment and a traditional mountain village culture. It has long been beloved by many as Tokyo's inner sanctum. At the same time, it is only a two-hour drive from central Tokyo, making it the perfect place for rural living. The town is filled with friendly, nosy "uncles" and "aunties" in the neighborhood, making it a warm-hearted place.
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SPOT 01
Nippara Limestone Cave
Hibara in Okutama Town is a treasure trove of abundant nature that will make you forget you are in Tokyo.
Among these, Nippara Limestone Cave is a place where you can particularly experience the wonders of nature's workings that are beyond human understanding. The otherworldly scenery that spreads out in the huge underground space is an adventure zone that will truly stimulate your curiosity.
Immerse yourself in the mystery of nature, which continues to change and grow, and let this romantic adventure story be engraved in your heart.
Tokai
EAST
The stalactites that have formed over a long period of time create a fantastical space in the limestone caves. Gifu Prefecture has many limestone caves that have been developed as tourist attractions, allowing you to enjoy the mystical scenery up close.
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SPOT 01
Hida Great Limestone Cave
Located at 900m above sea level, it is the highest tourist cave in Japan. The temperature inside the cave is around 12°C throughout the year, so you can enjoy the coolness in the summer. The white, delicate stalactites are a distinctive feature of Hida Great Cave.
Shikoku
WEST
In the limestone caves that lie in the mountains of Shikoku, you can encounter the beauty of nature that has been created over thousands of years. The moment you step inside, you are enveloped in cool air and silence, as if you are in another world. The deeper you go, the more fantastical scenery you will encounter, giving you a sense of adventure. Let yourself be carried away by this mysterious and beautiful space created by the power of nature and the flow of time.
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SPOT 01
Ryugado Cave
Ryugado Cave is one of Japan's three largest limestone caves. Inside the cave, you can see many beautiful stalactites that have been created over many years. Near the exit, there are remains of a Yayoi settlement from 2,000 years ago, allowing you to imagine what life was like for these ancient people. In addition to the standard tourist course, there is also an adventure course where you can experience more serious cave exploration, and the Nishimoto Cave course where water flows, making it a place that can be enjoyed by a wide range of visitors. Enjoy a blissful moment in this fantastical space woven by nature.
Chugoku
WEST
The Chugoku region is home to magnificent limestone caves that extend deep underground. The caves maintain a constant temperature throughout the year, staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making them a pleasant place to visit in any season. The fantastical scenery that spreads across the vast space and the beautiful topography created by flowing water allow you to feel the power of nature firsthand. There are also special experience tours that give you a taste of adventure, allowing you to escape from everyday life and immerse yourself in a mysterious world.
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SPOT 01
Akiyoshido Cave
Akiyoshido Cave, one of Japan's largest limestone caves, lies about 100 meters underground in Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park.
The temperature inside the cave is maintained at around 17°C throughout the year, making it cool in summer and warm in winter, making it a pleasant place to visit.
In this huge and impressive space, the beautiful natural formations are varied and will evoke great emotion.
Kyushu
WEST
Kyushu is dotted with unique limestone caves where you can experience the mysteries of nature. At Shoryudo Cave in Kagoshima, you can encounter beautiful "flown stones," and the Nanatsugama Limestone Cave in Nagasaki is attractive for its unique topography. Kumamoto's Kyusendo Cave boasts one of the largest scales in Kyushu, and its courses that give you a taste of adventure are also popular. Each cave is comfortable to visit in any season, and you can spend a fantastical time that will make you forget about everyday life.
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SPOT 01
Shoryudo Cave
Shoryudo Cave was discovered on July 16th, 1963, by a research team led by Professor Yamauchi of the Ehime University Academic Exploration Club. In his book, the professor wrote about his surprise at the time of the discovery, saying, "It's amazing that it has remained in its natural state until now."
Of the 3,500-meter long Shoryudo Cave, 600 meters are open to the public. It has been designated a natural monument of Kagoshima Prefecture, and on March 7, 2017, the area around Shoryudo Cave at Mt. Daisen was designated as the Amami Gunto National Park, the 34th national park in Japan. -
SPOT 02
Nanatsugama Limestone Cave
It is the only limestone cave in Nagasaki Prefecture that was designated a national natural monument in 1936.
There are 35 caves in the area, some of which are over 2km long. Collectively, these are known as the Nanatsugama Limestone Cave. Shimizu Cave is open to the public, and you can enter up to 250m deep. -
SPOT 03
Kyusendo Cave, a large limestone cave
Kyusendo Cave, located in Kuma Village in southern Kumamoto Prefecture, is the largest limestone cave in Kyushu. Its highlight is the stalactites formed from strata that are 300 million years old, and it offers two courses that are popular with people of all ages. Once you pass through the cool tunnel, you will come across clear underground water and a vertical hole that connects to the surface, leading you into a mysterious world.