Ryusendo Cave
Mysterious stalactites await you in a "dragon blue" underground lake!
Ryusendo Cave is one of the three largest limestone caves in Japan and was designated as a national natural monument in 1938 as "Iwaizumi Yungkutsu and Bats.
The total length of the caves, which are still being investigated, is estimated to be over 5,000 meters.
The total length confirmed by the latest survey is over 4,088m, with a height difference of ±195m.
About 700 m of the site is open to the public as a sightseeing course, with the highlights being the mysterious cave space that stretches in a straight line from the entrance and the underground lake with abundant clear water and a "dragon blue" glow.
Visitors can tour from the first underground lake, which was discovered during a survey in the 1930s, to the third underground lake, which boasts a maximum depth of 98 meters.
The mineral-rich water from Ryusendo, nurtured by the surrounding forest area, is used as the water supply for the town of Iwaizumi and is also popular as a souvenir.
The Kikugashira bats, which live in Ryusendo, are often seen here, and five other bat species have been confirmed to inhabit the caves, including bats that visit the caves to overwinter.
Do not touch them and observe them gently!
You can also enjoy the Ryusendo New Cave Science Museum, which is accessible with a common ticket with Ryusendo.
This is a science museum using a natural cave with approximately 200 meters of limestone caves open to the public.
Located right across from the entrance to Ryusendo, the museum features stalactites of various shapes nurtured in ancient strata.
Ruins that are thought to date back to the early Jomon period have also been found, and earthenware, ornaments, shells, and other artifacts have been excavated.
- Area
- Iwate
- Sanriku Coast
- Category
- Nature
- Activities
General Information
- Address
- 岩手県岩泉町岩泉字神成1-1
- Prices
- Adults and high school students 1,100 yen
550 yen for elementary/junior high school students
For groups (per person)
Adults: 15-99 people 930 yen; 100-199 people 880 yen; 200 or more people 820 yen
High school students: 15-99 students: 770 yen; 100-199 students: 660 yen; 200 or more students: 550 yen
Elementary/junior high school students: 15-99 students: 380 yen; 100-199 students: 330 yen; 200 or more students: 270 yen - Opening Times
- October~April 8:30~17:00 (final entry time)
May~September 8:30~18:00 (final entry time) - Closures
- open every day of the year
- Directions
- Approximately 110 minutes from Morioka by car (Route 455)
Approximately 150 minutes from Hanamaki Airport by car (National Highway No. 4 / National Highway No. 455)
Approximately 120 minutes from Hachinohe by car (National Road No. 45, Shimohei Green Road) - Car Park
- Yes (free of charge)
- Official Website
- Ryusendo Cave
- Duration
- Approx. 1 hour
Contact
- Telephone Number
- 0194-22-2566
- Fax Number
- 0194-22-5005