Nippara Limestone Cave is the largest limestone cave in Japan’s Kanto region. Inside, you’ll see dramatic rock formations illuminated in colorful lights as well as traces of historic Buddhist worship. Here’s what you need to know to plan a trip to this remarkable destination.
A Cave of Natural Wonders
Nippara Limestone Cave is a stunning natural wonder that is sure to captivate visitors with its unique geological features. It spans 1,270 meters in total, 800 meters of which are open to the public to explore. It consists of an “old cave,” which was used by Buddhist monks to practice their faith during the Edo period, and a “new cave” that was not discovered until 1962.
Because sunlight does not reach inside the cave, it maintains a temperature of around 11°C all year round. Humidity is close to 100% too. Near the entrance, you can sometimes see icicles in winter and cold air coming out like white smoke in summer.
Like many caves, the pathways inside Nippara Limestone Cave are narrow. Some areas will require stopping to get through, but none too tight that would require advanced spelunking skills. The average person can explore the cave with ease. Having waterproof shoes with a good grip can help in wet areas.
The remote location, the dimly lit narrow pathways, and the stone statues for worship all add to the cave’s mystical appeal.
Cultural & Historical Significance
Nippara Limestone Cave has a rich cultural and historical significance, with a long-standing connection to the Shugendo sect of Buddhism. Shugendo is a unique blend of esoteric Buddhism, Shinto, and Taoism that originated in Japan during the 7th century. It is a spiritual practice that focuses on attaining enlightenment through the mastery of asceticism, meditation, and mountain climbing.
To Shugendo practitioners, Nippara Limestone Cave was the mecca of mountain worship. One of the most important spiritual figures associated with Nippara Limestone Cave is Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), a famous Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon sect of Buddhism. He is believed to have practiced meditation in the cave and people pay respects to this spot to this day.
Main Attractions
Suikinkutsu
One of the main attractions inside the cave is its suikinkutsu, a type of traditional Japanese water instrument typically found in gardens. The suikinkutsu is made by boring a hole into a water jar and burying it underground. When water drips into the jar, it creates a gentle and soothing sound that can be heard from the surface.
The suikinkutsu in Nippara Limestone Cave was installed in 1996 and is a rare example of this instrument being used in a cave environment. The acoustics of the cave enhance the sound of the dripping water, creating a unique and calming ambiance.
Kobo Daishi Gakumonjo
Next to the suikinkutsu is a pair of stone statues that resemble meditating monks. This area is said to be where Kobo Daishi meditated. The founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, Kobo Daishi is a highly revered monk and scholar with achievements ranging from constructing major temples to making Buddhism more accessible to the common people. It is not an exaggeration to say that his influence has extended way beyond his lifetime and can still be observed today.
Shide no Yama
The widest area of the cave, Shide no Yama is illuminated in rainbow colors. It’s where you can find the Gama Iwa, a rock that is shaped like a frog’s head depending on the angle you view it from, and Enmusubi Kannon, a statue of the Goddess of Mercy.
Enmusubi Kanon
Located at the very top of a set of stone steps is a statue of the Kanon, the Goddess of Mercy in Japanese Buddhism. This one in particular is said to help with enmusubi or matchmaking. You will find the statue surrounded by charms placed by visitors praying for love. Over time it has also been customary to stack stones around the figure. People stick coins on the stones as they stack them, because the word “en” can refer to the Japanese currency as well as the bond that ties people together.
Audio Tour
For ¥480, you can download a Japanese audio tour of Nippara Limestone Cave on Pokke, however, make sure to download the files beforehand. Signals are weak inside the cave (at least Softbank’s was) so streaming is unlikely.
At the moment, there don’t seem to be any English audio tours available.
Tips when Visiting Nippara Limestone Cave
- Bring a jacket. The temperature inside the cave is around 11°C and does not change throughout the year.
- Because some areas can get wet and slippery, wearing anti-slip waterproof shoes is recommended. A good pair of hiking boots, slip-resistant sneakers, or rain shoes would do just fine.
- If you’re planning to take public transportation, make sure to pack snacks and water. Buses are limited and the lone restaurant in the area may be closed.
- There are several other attractions in Okutama that you can pair Nippara Limestone Cave with. Check out this Okutama Travel Guide for a list of things to do. If you’re traveling via public transportation, you can most likely see 2 attractions in a day. You will be able to see more if you travel by car.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes around 40 minutes.
No, the largest limestone cave in Japan is Akiyoshido in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Akiyoshido, along with Ryusendo in Iwate and Ryugado in Kochi make up the Three Greatest Limestone Caves in Japan.
Visitors can expect to see stunning limestone formations that have been formed over thousands of years. There are also remnants of ascetic practice as the cave was once the mecca of mountain worship.
The cave has a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. The cave was also used by the Shugendo sect of Buddhism for ascetic training, and Kobo Daishi, a famous Buddhist monk, is believed to have practiced meditation in the cave.
The cave is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last admission from April to November. From December to March, the opening hours change to 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Yes, there is an admission fee. The fee is ¥800 yen for adults aged 16 and above, ¥600 for middle schoolers, and ¥500 for children aged 6 to 12.
There is a parking lot, a restroom, and a small restaurant. The restaurant may not always be open so pack snacks just in case.
Unfortunately, no. There are no ramps in the cave, only stairs.
How to Get to Nippara Limestone Cave
Nippara Limestone Cave (Nippara Shonyudo, 日原鍾乳洞)
09:00 to 17:00 (April to November), 09:00 to 16:30 (December to March)
Admission: Adults – ¥1,000; Middle School Age – ¥600; Grade School Age – ¥500
JR Okutama Station is the nearest train station. On weekdays, you will be able to ride Bus#20 heading to Shonyudo. Nippara Limestone Cave is a 5-minute walk from there. Only Bus#21 is available on weekends with the terminal stop being Higashi Nippara. The cave is a 25-minute walk from this bus stop.
