Heading north on National Route 173 into Kyotanba Town, you'll see a parking lot and signs for the Limestone Cave Park on the right. Turn right and the road soon turns into a gravel road, and you'll see the parking lot. The parking lot can accommodate about 20 cars, but the bottom is unpaved. Crossing the bridge over the national highway from the parking lot leads to the park office and the path to the limestone cave. The park office is about a seven-minute walk from the parking lot, where you pay a park fee of ¥530 per person (including the cave entrance fee). The cave is listed as about 300 meters from the office, but it's actually quite a steep mountain path with a fairly steep incline, making it quite tiring. Once you reach the top of the mountain path, you'll find the cave entrance. The cave itself isn't particularly large, but it's a wonderful natural air conditioner to welcome you during this scorching summer. The temperature inside the cave remains at 15 degrees Celsius year-round, making it almost cold. The cave is almost vertical, so after a while, you'll feel like you're climbing a ladder. The stainless steel handrails are cold, making your hands slippery and quite thrilling. You'll end up at the bottom of the cave, so you'll have to go back the way you came. The cave is beautifully lit, and you can see rock formations like the Golden Pillar and Jizo Rock, formed by years of erosion. It seems like visitors have been tossing coins into the cave for some time, and there's a large pile of coins there. Both on the way to the cave and inside the cave, you'll be climbing mountain paths and ladder-like stairs, so sandals and slippers are not recommended; you must wear shoes. Water drips everywhere inside the cave, and the passages are narrow in places, so white or clean clothing is sure to get dirty. BBQs and camping are available within the park, so some people come for camping. When I visited, rainbow trout fishing was only 300 yen (including bait and equipment), so I thought I'd try it, but I gave up when I found out that you could buy one fish for 350 yen and use it for a BBQ or take it home. There are many other things to enjoy at this facility besides the cave.
We stopped off at this limestone cave on our way back from the "Nagano" roadside station, and it was my first time experiencing a cave where you descend almost straight down!
To descend, you have to go down a flight of stairs and a sturdy ladder that covers your body.
The cave is fairly bright with good lighting, but there were bats hanging here and there!
You can also go rainbow trout fishing next to the park administration building, but unless you use the barbecue, all the fish you catch will be bought and you can take home with you.
There is a parking lot along the national highway.
However, there is quite a bit of uphill climb from there to the reception desk. And it takes a lot of physical strength to get to the cave entrance.
Therefore, it is better to drive up to a location close to the reception desk.
Also, if you do go to the cave, be prepared to do a bit of light hiking. It may be difficult for those who are not physically fit or are wearing inappropriate clothing.
Inside the cave, it quickly becomes quite cool. You descend quite a distance at an angle that is more like a ladder than stairs, but then you have to go back up the same thing again. It is unique and interesting, but those who are not confident in their legs and back should probably skip this.
Sneakers are required for cave exploration, with free rental sneakers available at the entrance if needed. Sandals and high heels are strictly prohibited due to safety concerns. The cave temperature remains between 12°C and 15°C year-round, so bringing a light jacket or sweater is recommended even during summer. Be prepared for water droplets that may fall suddenly from the ceiling throughout the cave, so waterproof clothing or an umbrella can be helpful.
The cave presents physical challenges that families should consider carefully. Visitors must descend almost vertical steel stairs and ladders to a total depth of 25 meters. The entire exploration is self-guided with no accompanying guide, requiring visitors to navigate independently. Children aged 3 to junior high school pay a reduced admission fee of 310 yen, but parents should assess whether younger children can safely manage the steep descent and climb back up.
The cave is closed completely during January and February. During March and December, it operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. From April to November, the cave is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors planning trips during shoulder seasons should verify operating days before traveling.
Reaching the cave entrance requires a 15-minute hike through forested terrain from the park's bus stop. The cave itself measures 52.5 meters in length with a vertical depth of 25.1 meters, and the exploration typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on your pace and comfort level with the steep stairs. If you plan to use the park's additional facilities like barbecue areas, fishing spots, or hiking trails, allocate a half-day or full day for your visit.
Public transportation is available but limited, particularly on weekends. From Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano Line to Sonobe Station, then transfer to JR bus Sonofuku Line for approximately 30 minutes, transfer again to the town-run bus at Hieyama bus stop, and alight at Shonyudoguchi bus stop. The municipal bus does not operate on Sundays and holidays, making car access significantly more practical. By car, exit at Kyotanba Mizuho IC and drive toward Ayabe for approximately 10 minutes.
