This is the most fascinating place I've seen in Japan. It is a couple of kilometers of caves ( not all open) dug out by Shingon monks in the clay hillside for meditation. The religious artwork on the wall is beautiful! It isn't very well-known so I've never seen it crowded. When I've visited on the weekdays I was usually the only person there. The staff at the temple are friendly, too. This really is an amazing place to see!
The Taya Caves, also known as Taya no Dokutsu, are a series of man-made caves located in Yokohama. They were originally dug by Buddhist monks in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) for meditation and religious purposes.
Inside the Taya Caves, visitors can see intricate carvings of Buddhist deities, symbolic animals, and various religious motifs etched into the walls. The caves also feature narrow passageways, small chambers, and underground halls used for meditation.
The Taya Caves were hand-carved by Buddhist monks over centuries. They used simple tools to chisel out the intricate designs and passages, creating a labyrinthine network of caves for spiritual practice.
The Taya Caves are generally safe for exploration, but visitors should be cautious as the passageways can be narrow, dark, and uneven. It’s recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight.
Yes, guided tours are available and highly recommended to fully appreciate the historical and religious significance of the carvings and the cave structure. Tours are usually conducted in Japanese, but some guides may offer explanations in English.
One of the most unique and underrated experiences in Kanagawa-ken, the Tata Caves are just a short bus ride from Ōfuna station. The caves are cared for by a group of local history actives and the temple staff. This heritage site is much bigger than I expected. I was in the caves for over 35+ minutes. It is cold and damp inside and somehow scary as it was when I was there alone, however, this is one of the most unique experiences in Japan for anyone interested in culture, history or spirituality. I cannot understand how some of these carvings were crested in the 13th century in the extremely dark conditions within the caves. It is a feat of human faith and ingenuity and something everyone visiting Kanagawa should experience at least one.
This was a fun family side quest. We took a taxi from Ofuna station. The shrine was under construction and we did not enter. The cost was ¥1000 for adults, less for children. They provided candles, but the caves have lights on motion sensors so the candles are just for fun. We walked through in about 30 minutes but if you want to really examine the carvings you could take an hour. No photos allowed inside. We were the only people there.
Best caves ever! It was cheap. They gave you a small candle to light your way so bring a flashlight to. There were lights inside to guide you but again there were so darker areas. Cooler inside to so nice in the summer. Omg these were the best caves!
