[2025 Iwaizumi Attraction] Travel Guide for Ryūsendō Cave (Updated May)

This is Ryusendo Cave located in Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture. It is recognized as one of Japan's three major limestone caves and a natural monument. I visited during my Golden Week trip to Morioka. Although I hesitated due to the distance, I was ultimately very satisfied with the visit✨. It takes just under two hours by car from Morioka. Even during Golden Week, the roads were not congested. The drive mainly involves navigating mountain roads. Since there are few places to stop along the way, I recommend visiting roadside stations🙆. The parking lot is spacious, and there were security personnel present. Once you purchase your admission ticket, you can enter immediately. As soon as you step inside, you can feel the water and the air becomes damp, instantly transporting you to another world!! The cave is so mystical, vast, and expansive that it's hard to believe it was formed naturally. It truly showcases the incredible power of nature. Additionally, the blue lighting enhances the cave's fantastical charm. Although the rain from the previous day slightly reduced the water's clarity, it was still stunning. Since the ground is wet and there are many stairs, sneakers are a must. It was already cold, so I dressed warmly. Two long-sleeve shirts and a jumper were just right (the temperature was around 10°C). Having a smartphone holder or strap is reassuring!! (While trying to take aesthetic photos, I was scared of dropping my phone—if it falls, that's the end 😂). I didn’t see any bats🦇. You can explore several underground lakes and finally pass through a cave to return to the surface. There are photo exhibits showing the cave during major flood disasters (overflowing with water), which remind you not only of its beauty but also of the power and danger of nature, as well as the importance of peace and safety. This is an absolute must-see! Address: 1-1 Kamisei, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi Town, Shimohei District, Iwate Prefecture, 027-0501 Hours: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tickets: ¥1,100 per adult

Hot spring time! This 8-day Japan tour will take you to the hot spring town, a great place to relax! Check out this super useful guide! -------- Route suggestions: Day 1: Arrive in Sendai and check in to your hotel. You can then explore the city at your leisure. We recommend visiting Sendai Castle or Sendai Asaichi Market. Day 2: Zao Fox Village - get up close and personal with foxes; Sendai Daikannon - admire the solemnity of religious architecture; Osaki Hachimangu Shrine - visit an ancient shrine; Ginzan Onsen - enjoy a relaxing hot spring trip. Day 3: Tashirojima - visit the unique cat island culture; Jodogahama Beach - enjoy the beautiful sea view; Ryusendo Cave - explore the magical karst cave landscape. Day 4: Aomori Gyosai Center - enjoy delicious seafood rice bowls; Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse - learn about Japanese traditional festival culture; Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center ASPAM - buy local specialty products; Port of Aomori - experience the busy and beautiful harbor. Day 5: Oirase Gorge - walk along the clear stream and enjoy the tranquility of nature; Lake Towada - admire the beautiful lake and mountain scenery. Day 6: Lake Tazawa - enjoy the lake and mountain scenery and experience the tranquility of nature; Dakigaeri Gorge - explore the mysteries of the gorge and enjoy hiking. Day 7: Zao Snow Monster Festival - experience the unique charm of the snow festival; Zao Onsen - relax in the hot spring and end your wonderful trip. Day 8: Leave Sendai and end your pleasant trip to Japan. We look forward to seeing you again! -------- Travel tips: 💵Exchange rate: The currency in Japan is the Japanese yen. The exchange rate fluctuates, so we recommend exchanging cash at the bank in advance. ✈️Airport transportation: Narita and Haneda airports both have direct transportation to the city center, so you don't have to worry about transportation. 🕒Time difference: Japan is 1 hour ahead of China, so adjust your time accordingly. 📱Internet: Consider renting a mobile Wi-Fi device or buying a local SIM card to stay connected. 🔌Power plug: Japan uses two flat parallel plugs, so remember to bring an adapter. -------- Discover the beautiful scenery and delicious food of Japan. With this guide, you can enjoy a wonderful trip!

#AccommodationTravelRecord I took a trip to Iwate Prefecture using the Tohoku Shinkansen and a rental car 🚄As soon as I arrived, I tried Jajamen 😆 They say you can tell if it's delicious after eating it three times, but the seasoning is different for each person, so I think you can't really appreciate it until you find your own preference 🤔 (lol) After that, I rented a car and went to Ryusen Cave 🚗 It was a space where I was overwhelmed by the mysterious world created by the limestone cave and the power of nature ✨The temperature inside is constant, so it's cool in the summer and may feel cold in the winter 🥶 After that, I drove along the coast to Jodogahama! It is also a geospot, so there are various activities available, but you can also spend a quiet time just by walking along the beach 😌 It was a soothing spot where you could enjoy nature, such as the sound of the waves and the whiteness of the sand 🙂 We stayed overnight at Ofunato Onsen 🛌 It is located in a place where the Pacific Ocean spreads out in front of you, so you can take a bath while looking at the sea ♨ The highlight is the sunrise, so we recommend taking a bath at sunrise 🌅 For dinner, we had a line-up of seafood from Ofunato, and the taste was excellent 🐟️ On the second day, we returned to Morioka Station, bought souvenirs at roadside stations, and returned home by Shinkansen 🏠️ It was a trip to enjoy the sea side of Iwate Prefecture 👏 #Iwate #Ryusendo #Jodogahama #OfunatoOnsen

The three major limestone caves in Japan are Akiyoshido Cave in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Ryugado Cave in Kochi Prefecture, and Ryusendo Cave here in Iwate Prefecture. I haven't been to Ryugado Cave yet. Well, I'll be there soon. Inside the cave are several underground lakes that boast some of the world's best transparency. The deepest is said to be 98m. I thought the person who first discovered this place was very brave. It must have been pitch black at the time, and we didn't know how deep or how big it was. What if there were unknown creatures there... like a giant snake... I like going to limestone caves in the summer to cool off, but it seems that Ryusendo Cave is best in the winter. There is little meltwater or rain, so the water volume and flow are calm, making the underground lake look even more beautiful. In addition, there are more chances of encountering bats because they hibernate there. Actually, my camera skills and motivation were still low at the time, so I don't have any good photos at all... Where are the photos of the essential underground lake? If I get the chance, I'll go again. Next time in winter. #IwatePrefecture #IwatePrefectureTourism #Iwate #IwateTourism #IwateTrip #RecommendedIwateTourism #Iwaizumi #IwaizumiTourism #LimestoneCave #RyusenCave #Japan'sThreeLimestoneCaves #NaturalMonument

It was more worth seeing than I expected! I went on a weekday, and there were just the right amount of people, so it wasn't noisy or scary, and I enjoyed it! There were some thrilling places, such as narrow passages and low-ceilinged roads, and there were various routes and a deep lake, so it was exciting to explore^^ It would definitely be fun to go as a couple... One thing to note is that there are some long and steep stairs, so it might be a bit worrying for those who are not very physically fit, small children, or elderly people(*´ω`*)

\\Tourist Spots// Ryusendo Cave, one of the three major limestone caves in Japan, is designated as a national natural monument along with the bats that live in the cave. This mysterious space that feels like another world is a recommended spot that you should definitely see at least once. It is not very accessible, so plan your trip accordingly. I visited in the fall, and was very touched by the autumn leaves that spread out before me when I left the cave. Facility name: Ryusendo Cave Admission fee: 1,100 yen for adults #Historic site with a sense of history #Iwate Prefecture #Autumn leaf viewing #Autumn leaf spot #Iwate sightseeing #Autumn leaves