Ryūsendō Cave
Fee required
Parking available
A massive cave complex boasts some of the clearest water (and most charming bats) in the world.

📜 One of Japan's three greatest limestone caves, designated a natural monument since 1934. 🔍 Features expansive subterranean galleries and deep sunless lakes with breathtakingly clear blue water.

Why Go

🌊 Explore stunning underground lakes illuminated with brilliant blues and greens.
🦇 Home to unique bat varieties, including Brown long-eared, Eastern long-fingered, Hilgendorf's tube-nosed, and Greater horseshoe bats.
🚶 Enjoy a 30-minute tour on elevated walkways, bridges, and stairs.
🔬 Ticket includes entry to the Ryusenshindo Science Museum.

Why Avoid

⚠️ Cave has many stairs and steep slopes, not suitable for baby strollers; wheelchair access is limited.
🧗 270-step staircase, narrow, no turning back halfway; not suitable for those with physical conditions, infirm legs, or acrophobia.
🐾 Pets are not allowed to protect the ecosystem.
🥶 Cave temperature is around 10°C year-round, bring a jacket.
💧 Expect water drips, especially on rainy days.
🚫 No toilets, eating, drinking, or smoking inside the cave.
⚠️ Cave may close due to increased water levels and flooding.
🚧 Can be congested during Golden Week and Bon festival, with one-way routes.

Tips

👟 Wear comfortable shoes as the floor can be wet and stairs are steep.
☔ Raincoats and windcheaters are available for loan (umbrellas also available for rent/borrow from the office on rainy days).
🗓️ Busiest during Golden Week (early May) and Bon festival (mid August), with peak times from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Cost

💰 Adults 1,100 yen, students 550 yen. Disability and group rates available.

Hours

🕒 Open daily, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (Oct-Apr) or 8:30 am - 6:00 pm (May-Sept). May close due to high water levels.

🅿️ Parking Multiple car parks available, with the closest just 70m from the cave entrance.

🚻 Toilets Toilets for disabled available in the park and on the second floor of the Resthouse.

Last updated 28 days ago

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