Totsui Limestone Cave

Totsui Limestone Cave in Wakayama Prefecture was formed over 250 million years ago, making it one of the oldest geological formations in the region. The cave entrance is located in a mine shaft that was dug during limestone mining operations in the early twentieth century. From 1913 to around 1945, the site was used as a limestone quarry for construction materials and fertilizer production, but mining ceased when the cave and its formations were discovered. After local voices called for its preservation, the cave was opened to the public as a project of Yura Town in 1980.

Totsui Limestone Cave is the only limestone cave in Wakayama Prefecture. The limestone outcrop is part of the Chichibu Belt and consists of Jurassic and Cretaceous limestones enclosed by Silurian and Permian crystalline rocks, mostly granites. The main geological feature is the cave's location in an isolated outcrop of limestone surrounded by crystalline rocks, with honeycombed ceiling structures created by chemical dissolution. The stalactites formed 250 million years ago, the same period as the nearby Shirasaki coast.

The cave extends for approximately 100 meters, offering visitors an intimate encounter with underground formations. The narrow path winds through chambers containing stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes and sizes, with spaces tight enough to require ducking and stooping. Named chambers include the Crab Tunnel, where visitors must squat and inch sideways to enter the Needle Ceiling Chamber, and Bee's Nest Rock, a distinctively patterned wall section. The cave maintains a constant temperature of around 15°C throughout the year, providing cool conditions in summer and warmth in winter. In spring, the area is enhanced by beautiful cherry blossoms.

Admission costs 400 yen for adults (high school students and above) and 200 yen for children. The cave can be reached by taking the Chuki Bus toward Kobiki from JR Kii-Yura Station, approximately 15 minutes to the Totsui bus stop, followed by a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, visitors can take a taxi from JR Kii-Yura Station, which takes approximately 15 minutes. By car, the cave is approximately 25 minutes along National Route 42 from Hirokawa IC on the Yuasa-Gobo Road. The cave is located about 10 minutes from Shirasaki Ocean Park.