What other travelers are saying about Nippara Limestone Cave, Okutama
This was a fun and unique experience on my trip to Japan.
The drive here was scenic and exciting- full of winding, narrow mountain roads and amazing views.
The entire cave system is lit, but I recommend bringing your own headlamp so that you can peek around unlit crevices. My friend once found an old 1960s Fanta can. He brought it home but later thought that it had bad energy as he was having nightmares and night sickness which ended as soon as he got rid of the can.
I believe him because this place is quite eerie. There is a shrine in the back full of small piles of stones that were assembled by grieving parents and which allegedly hold the souls of their lost babies and fetuses. The legend says that these souls are here as punishment for the pain that they caused their parents.
There is also a deep section of the cave called "Hell's crevice," and there was a miniature shrine building labeled "the black gate" down in that section.
If you don't know any of this, then you can just stroll through the caves with the only impediment being the many stairs and the bats - some of the bats are lurking in tight spaces where they could be close to your head. But if you do know all of this information, then there's an extra layer of eeriness about the caves and you find yourself imagining what you would do if the power went out. Thankfully I had the headlamp lol.
Price was very affordable, you will probably spend more on gas getting here if you drive than you do on the admission.
The cave only took 1 hour to explore, so we also visited some local hiking trails, the local gorge and canyon, and a local onsen.
Frequently Asked Questions
The walking tour through the 800-meter accessible section takes approximately 40 minutes at a moderate pace. Allow additional time for bus transfers and the walk from the bus stop to the cave entrance.
No. The route includes stairs, steep sections, and uneven surfaces that require reasonable mobility. There is no wheelchair access or alternative barrier-free route through the cave.
Approximately 2 hours by train to Okutama Station, plus 35 minutes by bus and 5 minutes walking. Total travel time is roughly 3 hours one-way.
The cave is located in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park with hiking trails, the Nippara River for fishing and walking, and onsen facilities nearby. Okutama town offers additional outdoor activities.
Yes. Parking is available near the cave entrance. Access via Route 411 from central Okutama. Parking fees may apply.
A cool cave system to explore. It’s quite cold (around 5-10 Celsius) so bring a jacket. Though you might build up a sweat since there are SO MANY stairs to climb around the cave. And these stairs are very steep and slippery, so you have to tread carefully. Make sure to bring a jacket and a pair of non-slip shoes.
As for things to see around the cave - there are a few shrines, large caverns, and stalactites and stalagmites to view. I’m not particularly interested in these things, but it was an experience to visit once. My boyfriend who really loves nature loved this though.
Regarding facilities, they are well-developed. There are restrooms, a small store/restaurant, and even a smoking area. Once we bought tickets, they also gave us some themed bookmarks.
If you’re in the Okutama area, I think this would be worthwhile to see. I don’t think it’d be worth it to come to the area just for this spot though. It is quite difficult to get here (45min bus ride from Okutama station that only has a few runs per day)
Really enjoyed exploring the Nippara Limestone Caves with my guide, Ayumu. It was one of the highlights of my trip. Be warned! The temperature within the caves drop down to 10 degrees (this was during Summer time and I was looking at the thermometer inside the caves drop down). It’s best to bring a jacket. The cave inside has lots of twist and turns with some small openings, so be careful when walking up the stairs (you might bump your head). Inside, it’s quite a sight to behold and very tranquil.
This expansive, beautifully winding limestone cave seems popular with young Japanese couples and friend groups for dates and outings. The cave itself is impressively deep with stunning geological formations and refreshingly cool air that provides relief from outside heat.
However, getting there is genuinely terrifying. The access road is single-lane both ways, forcing cars to back toward cliff edges when meeting oncoming traffic. Most incredibly, regular buses navigate this route multiple times daily - I cannot fathom how drivers manage this, especially during rain or fog when visibility drops to zero due to mist. The bus drivers deserve serious respect for their skill and courage. If you can handle the nerve-wracking journey and brief moments wondering if the cave might collapse, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular natural wonder. Just be prepared for white-knuckle driving and quick cave visits due to the challenging access.
One of the highlights of the Okutama area, the Nippara Limestone cave is huge and fascinating except that there are no signs or descriptions in English so you do not know what you are looking at. We went on a weekday so it is not crowded at all. (although there is a huge 200 lot car park nearby so I would assume it gets very crowded in the weekends)
