THE 10 BEST Japan Caverns & Caves
Caverns & Caves in Japan
Category types
126 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Caverns & Caves • Geologic Formations
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Caverns & Caves
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts
Caverns & Caves
Caverns & Caves
Caverns & Caves
Caverns & Caves
Caverns & Caves
Caverns & Caves
…
Showing results 1-30 of 126
What travelers are saying
- johnvtokyoTokyo, Japan121 contributionsA bit expensive at 1200 yen, but very beautiful formations, well lit, a river running through most of it. Paths are concrete and everything well maintained. Deeper in you go, the formations are more interesting.Written March 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- The-FariasRamstein-Miesenbach, Germany1,054 contributionsAwesome place to come visit for snorkeling and or diving. Unseated is neat and you can really take in the beauty. There is also some cool tunnels to get into the cave. Watch out for all the tourists they have no situational awareness.
Review was written January 2017 just saw it was saved as a draftWritten January 4, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MCCSouth West England, UK713 contributionsRyusendo Cave is one of the three great limestone caves of Japan. Although known to exist for ages the caves were only first explored in 1920. The caves are located at the bottom of Mount Ureri. The main cavern runs along the line of the ridge above with many branches; with 2½ miles explored so far, only ½ a mile is open to the public which we walked over. The path is quite narrow and slippery in part with the lighting subdued due to the protection of 5 species of bats, out of forty found in Japan, which inhabit the cave. These small bats are mainly nocturnal and eat insects. They are considered important locally as they control the population of harmful insects in their ecosystem. Each of the bat colonies have their own echo locating signals to communicate.
The cave system is divided by River Shizu, parts of water from the cave runs in to Shizu River and then flows in to the other part of the cave system. As expected several stalagmites, deposits formed from the ground, are formed. Some are said to resemble Jizo, a guardian deity of travellers and children and Jizo, is treated as a shrine with coin box. . It is believed that it takes 50 years for 1 cm to grow a stalagmite from the base of the cave and 100 years to form 1 cm of stalagmite (they form downward from the ceiling of the cave). There is a information centre, a shop selling local produce and a small cafe which sells freshly prepared 'onigiri'. Onigiri is a freshly cooked rice, so hot, which wrapped around a variety of meats, fish and vegetables or a mixture of them all if you request it in to a ball. You may add various sauces in the centre before the rice ball is wrapped in cooked seaweed. It was ‘ohysee’ - delicious in Japanese.
Across the road there is ample car park and a cafeteria with a shop, ice cream parlour, local beer and has toilet facilities.Written August 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - jay22200Honolulu, HI213 contributionsThis was my first time exploring a cave and it was fun! Great for the family! It had hills and areas that was cool to maneuver through! The walk is not that long so it is great for any age!Written June 25, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Trevor NJersey, UK824 contributionsYou enter the cave complex at the bottom of a hill and climb up and up before exiting into sunlight, and then it’s a long staircase and walkway back down. I didn’t see any warnings (in English) that these weren’t suitable for anyone who wasn’t happy to climb and climb, often bending double, and the friend who was with us had to stop about 2/3’s of the way through to get his breath back, Even my wife who is 4ft 9 inches had to bend double at one point, so for myself as a rather broad near 6ft guy, some bits were a bit of a challenge. That said, it was an amazing experience even if I don’t believe this would have met (boring) UK health and safety codes.
Note, the cave is very wet and humid inside, cool at the bottom, but certainly warmer nearer the top once you’ve climbed up the pathWritten May 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - J&S_SingaporeSingapore, Singapore5,462 contributionsIt was drizzling lightly on a Saturday afternoon when we reached here. Quite chilling as it is within the mountainous area and we thicken our clothing, even when it was end-April.
飛騨大鍾乳洞is recognized as the highest limestone cave in all of Japan – at an elevation of 900 meters above sea level. The brochure shared that the Hida Great Limestone Cave offers some 800m of maze-like tunnels that were created 250 million years ago when the surrounding area was actually covered by ocean water.
We first walked through ‘aerobridges’ before descending into the caves! The tunnels are generally well illuminated with colorful lights but still need to tread carefully. At some interesting spots it was like a multicolored wonderland to us, very coloured!
The cave is also known for its helictite, a rare type of stalactite, and the temperatures in the cave stay around 12°C year round! There are a few main cave sections to explore in the cave, with each section averaging 10-minutes or so In between there is a mid-level Exit where those unwell or not comfortable can exit. Our gp of 26 has 3 exited here, while the remaining carried on.
One can also visit the Ohashi Collection Kan Museum that displays art and decorative pieces from all over the world. There are also rest rooms and souvenirs shop at the Exit.
Overall it was quite a little chilly journey but we all enjoyed the mysterious scenery within. There are many climbs and definitely physical strength is required.Written May 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - D13OThe Hague, The Netherlands248 contributionsIt's a beautiful cave with lots of great formations, but the lighting detracts from the overall experience. The colored lighting is fine and gives nice photos but too much spotlights, christmas lights and signs make it hard to get a good photo without any of those in them. Which is a shame. They should have put some more thought in it. Also the photographer in the middle is antiquated and annoying. Finally I normally dont complain about the price but 1200 yen is too much, since they dont really seem to maintain the place.Written October 17, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Daniel YongSingapore, Singapore792 contributionsCost is 1200Yen per adult - average size limestone cave but I have been to better ones in Japan and other countries. Ryusendo and Utsonomiya are way bigger and better. Considering the distance travelled, I would probably miss this cave. Worth a visit if this is your first limestone cave experience.Written December 15, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TheJackehVancouver, British Columbia, Canada30 contributionsAfter hanging out in "everybody is a busy-body" central Tokyo, it was a literal breath of fresh air to get into the countryside and view natural beauty. The caves are spectacular and cheap for admission (something like 700 yen). I felt genuinely nervous upon first entering, because it was very dark, quiet and eery, much like a horror movie. There are few visitors and you'll have most of the place to yourselves, for good or for bad. The cave has diverse formations which takes you up and down some pretty steep and narrow spots. You'll also at one point enter the main cavern, which is lit up with colorful spotlights and is stunningly surreal. The signs in Japanese divulge interesting tidbits of information about monks who would stay in the cave - there are a small number of small stone monuments dedicated to either monks or deities, which adds to the atmospheric feeling of the strange but wonderful. I found a kick out of how they named some of the passes "path to hell", "death mountain". It's all in Japanese and I hope it's just a joke.
When you arrive at the nearest train station, you still have to take a bus ride. So train ride plus bus ride is a solid 3 hours travel time from Shinjuku station. I still felt it was worth the travel time. I had a lovely time sitting around old but cute train stations and viewing the Japanese mountain scenery. The bus ride from the station to the cave was interesting, as the road is a mountain road, narrow and at times fit only a single vehicle. To see how the bus, driver (plus conductor) navigated these stretches of road was amusing. The drivers, tour people at the station and everyone who I encountered were tremendously helpful, very kind, and not daunted by the fact that my Japanese was crude and simple. Your usual super pleasant countryside manners.
My tips:
1. Bring a light jacket, the cave is cool. You'll sweat at some of the steeper climbs, but you'll cool right down as soon as you rest.
2. Visit the visitor's information house and request a discount 100 yen for entrance to the cave.
3. Arrive early, so when you return home via the train station, small shops are still open for grub.
4. Bring snacks (the bus ride is half hour long each way, you might spend an hour in the cave) as there is no food near the cave, which is in the middle of nowhere. But be respectful and don't eat in the cave.
5. Don't visit if you are not fit.
6. Wear sturdy shoes. Don't worry about most other attire, as there is no underwater section and you won't get wet.
7. Check their seasonal opening dates. They have black-out dates when it's too dangerous, weather-wise to view the caves.Written March 8, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Masa SSan Jose, Costa Rica6 contributionsI tried kayaking tour with my 9yo son. Our guide Kayo-san is knowledgeable and well organized. It was manageable with not-so-fit mom and 9yo son for two hours. We enjoyed beautiful scenery only from the ocean. I tried kayaking in Monterey CA and Hawaii. This is one of the best!Written June 26, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- redeyebluesEdinburgh, UK1,312 contributionsYou can walk the 300 m open to public and that takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs 400 yen - if no one's there, ring the door bell at the booth next to the small temple, Josenji 定泉寺 - you're not supposed to just walk in even though nobody is guarding the cave. Even though Taya Cavern (Yoga Cave) is dimly lit, you'll be given a small white candle which you hold as you walk through the cave, following the arrow signs. No photos inside.
There was no one else there on a weekday afternoon except for a strange Japanese man who appeared half way and started following me just half a step behind while saying things like "you are cute... are you alone?" It was pretty narrow so I couldn't just run off... a very uncomfortable situation. Who tries to pick up women at a dark Buddhist cave anyway?!! He continued until we got out of the cave and luckily saw 2 other people. So beware if you're a woman going alone. Japan is generally very safe so this was especially freaky.
It can be reached by bus 71 or 72 from either Ofuna or Totsuka Station to 洞窟前. There's a spa with black hot spring water (湯快爽快 たや店) down the road 4 minutes away on foot.Written November 29, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - cooblueSingapore, Singapore802 contributionsPlease get bus time table & information about Kannonyama area from visitor center prior to visiting as bus is not frequent so please plan timing well to catch bus back to Takasaki station.
We took Bus no. 8 from Takasaki station West Exit & alight to see Doukutsu Kannon first as it close at 4pm on weekday.
From bus stop about 5 mins walk to Doukutsu, very peaceful & quiet greenery area whcih felt totally out of city noise.
Entrance fee adult 800 yen.
It's very honored to walk thru' the cave to meet different statue of Kannon & have a close distance look on the statue.
Amazing journey as very unique & unusual to see these status all siting nicely inside a cave!
There's a garden nearby but didnt have enough time just briefly browse & get on to our next destination Byakui Kannon as it close at 5pm.
Thanks for the cave experience :)Written May 1, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Takeshi H570 contributionsOtaki cave is known as the largest class cave in Tokai region.
But what interested me was another.
It was wooden cable cars which bring visitors to the entrance.
There's no other place in Japan where there're cable cars made of wood.
If you have an ETC card, you can get 15% discount by showing it.
It's also okay to show a web discount coupon which you can get on the official HP.
Look for the words "鍾乳洞特別割引券発行中" and click it!
When you buy a ticket, you'll get an Omikuji voucher;Omikuji means a paper fortune.
You can draw Omikuji at the stall
Unfortunately, the slips are only written in Japanese.
In rough translation, the meanings are as follows
大吉: excellent luck
吉: good luck
中吉: average good luck
小吉: a little good luck
凶: bad luck
大凶:extremely bad luck
When we visited there, it was very hot day, 36 degree Celsius.
But the inside of the cave was so chilly and comfortable!
The stalactites are academically valuable, so it's prohibited to touch them.
To walk into the cave made me excited.
The entrance and the exit are different.
Therefore you have to descend by foot.
I wish we were able to ride the cable car for return trip.Written June 18, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Casey M3 contributionsMy partner and I looked for something interesting to do on a rest day, we found Rokando limestone cave and decided to give it a try the following day. That night after making the decision we were awoken to a gentle rocking of our beds, you guessed it, an earthquake that lasted at least a minute. This didn't dampen our plans but it made us more aware of the risks. The location is a little remote and a car is required, after getting geared up into gum boots and a helmet we headed across the walk bridge for the entrance. At 6ft tall I was immediately at a disadvantage crouching through the small arched tunnel. After seeing a sleeping bat we headed down the 700 metres past fallen boulders from earthquakes, under formations and underground streams. There we saw the amazing waterfall with enhanced lighting, took selfies and headed back. cave is well lit and path clearly marked.Written December 30, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AndraYoTokyo, Japan1,467 contributionsLots of Great Caves in Japan, but this isn't one of them. It's in a very nice area though, with this small shrine, picturesque cave walls outside, fresh air, and a nice cafe: Jurin's Geo. But the cave has many passages that are difficult to travel, straight up ladders, bumped heads. and not so much to see. Reading the explanation makes it sound better, probably loved by geologists. Admission was cheap, 200 yen if I remember correctly, but still not worth it to us. Just enjoy the area!Written July 30, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
