LIMESTONE CAVE

Introducing limestone cave spots across Japan accessible from Osaka.
Dotted throughout Japan are mystical limestone caves created by nature over thousands of years.
Why not spend a special moment away from daily life, surrounded by cool air and mysterious scenery?

Tohoku

Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a mystical highland city home to “Abukuma-do Cave,” which boasts a vast number and variety of stalactites and stalagmites. Along the streets and within shrine grounds, you can see “O-ningyo-sama,” guardian deities believed to ward off diseases. Iwate Prefecture is known as the “Limestone Cave Kingdom,” with Ryusendo Cave in Iwaizumi Town—one of Japan’s three greatest limestone caves—being its most prominent. Its underground lakes, featuring world-class clarity, are also a breathtaking sight.

SPOT 01

Abukuma-do Cave

A masterpiece of natural beauty created over eternal time. Within the 600m public section of the cave, you can see a wide variety of stalactites. Enjoy the art of nature woven by single drops of groundwater, including “Takine Goten,” the cave’s largest hall, and “Moon World,” the first limestone cave in Japan to introduce a dimming system for stage production.

SPOT 02

Ryusendo Cave

Ryusendo is one of Japan’s three greatest limestone caves, with about 700m open to the public as a sightseeing route. Highlights include the mysterious cave space extending linearly from the entrance and the underground lakes filled with highly transparent water that glows with a “Dragon Blue” radiance.

Kanto

Okutama Town is entirely contained within the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, boasting a rich natural environment and traditional mountain village culture. It has long been cherished as a getaway from Tokyo. At the same time, it is an ideal place for countryside living, located only two hours from central Tokyo. It is a town full of warm-hearted people, with plenty of friendly and helpful neighbors.

SPOT 01

Nippara Limestone Cave

Nippara, Okutama, is a treasure trove of nature that makes you forget you are in Tokyo. Among its attractions, the Nippara Limestone Cave is a place where you can truly feel the wonder of natural processes beyond human understanding. The otherworldly landscape unfolding in the massive underground space is an adventure zone that stimulates curiosity. Immerse yourself in the mystery of nature that continues to change and grow, and carve a romantic adventure story into your heart.

Tokai

Limestone caves offer mystical spaces created by stalactites over long periods of time. Gifu Prefecture has many limestone caves developed for tourism, allowing you to enjoy these mysterious landscapes up close.

SPOT 01

Hida Great Limestone Cave

Located at an altitude of 900m, it is the highest tourist limestone cave in Japan. The temperature inside the cave stays around 12°C year-round, making it a perfect spot to enjoy the cool air in summer. White and delicate stalactites are the hallmark of Hida Great Limestone Cave.

Shikoku

In the limestone caves hidden among the mountains of Shikoku, you can encounter the natural beauty of formations created over thousands of years. The moment you step inside, you are enveloped in cool air and silence, feeling as if you’ve entered another world. As you go deeper, mystical sights appear one after another, offering a sense of exploration. Surrender your heart to the mysterious and beautiful space created by the power of nature and the passage of time.

SPOT 01

Ryugado Cave

Ryugado is one of Japan’s three greatest limestone caves. Inside, you can see numerous beautiful stalactites formed over long periods. Near the exit, there are remains of a Yayoi period dwelling from 2,000 years ago, allowing you to reflect on the lives of ancient people. In addition to the standard sightseeing course, there is an Adventure Course for a more authentic cave exploration and the Nishimondo Course where water flows, making it a place everyone can enjoy. Spend a blissful moment in this mystical space woven by nature.

Chugoku

The Chugoku region is home to magnificent limestone caves stretching deep underground. They maintain a constant temperature year-round—cool in summer and warm in winter—making them comfortable to visit in any season. The mystical scenery in the vast spaces and the beautiful terrain created by flowing water allow you to feel the power of nature firsthand. Special tours that offer an exploratory feel are also available, letting you leave daily life behind and immerse yourself in a mysterious world.

SPOT 01

Akiyoshido Cave

Located about 100m below Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, Akiyoshido is one of Japan’s premier large limestone caves. The temperature inside is kept at about 17°C throughout the seasons, offering a comfortable tour year-round. Inside the massive and powerful space, the diverse and beautiful natural formations evoke a deep sense of awe.

Kyushu

Kyushu is dotted with unique limestone caves where you can experience the mysteries of nature. In Kagoshima’s Shoryudo, you can find beautiful “flowstones,” while Nagasaki’s Nanatsugama Limestone Cave attracts visitors with its unique terrain. Kumamoto’s Kyusendo boasts one of the largest scales in Kyushu, and its adventure-style courses are highly popular. Each cave offers a comfortable experience regardless of the season, providing a mystical time that lets you forget everyday life.

SPOT 01

Shoryudo Cave

Shoryudo was discovered on July 16, 1963, by a survey team led by Professor Yamauchi of the Ehime University Academic Expedition Club. In his writings, the professor described the surprise of the discovery, noting how remarkable it was that nature had remained in such a pristine state. Of its total length of 3,500 meters, 600 meters are open to the public. Designated as a Natural Monument of Kagoshima Prefecture, the area around Oyama Shoryudo was also designated as part of the “Amami Gunto National Park,” Japan’s 34th national park, on March 7, 2017.

SPOT 02

Nanatsugama Limestone Cave

Designated as a national natural monument in 1936, this is the only limestone cave in Nagasaki Prefecture. Thirty-five caves have been confirmed in the surrounding area, some exceeding 2km in total length. These are collectively known as the Nanatsugama Limestone Caves. The Seisui-do cave is open to the public, and visitors can enter up to the 250m point.

SPOT 03

Kyusendo Great Limestone Cave

Located in Kuma Village in southern Kumamoto Prefecture, “Kyusendo” is the largest limestone cave in Kyushu. The stalactites formed from 300-million-year-old strata are a must-see, and the site features two courses popular with all ages. Passing through the cool tunnel, you’ll encounter clear groundwater and a vertical shaft connecting to the surface, leading you into a mystical world.