Ryugashi-Do caves were opened to visitors in 1983 after Mr Sadao Toda and other cavers entered a fault in the rock and discovered the cavern. Around 400 metres of caves have been developed and are accessible to tourists.
The circular route through the caves passes various rock formations such as stalagmites, stalactites, coloured rock walls, flowstones and rimstone pools. These are illuminated and named according to the shapes they resemble, so they include a Golden Mount Fuji, World Above the Clouds, the Dragon’s Palace, the Space of the Gods, Pillars Treasure and a very realistic looking alligator.
These features of the cave system were created when limestone rock was dissolved by underground water. The calcite from the limestone was washed away through faults in the rocks and as it dripped it left traces of the calcite, which built up slowly to create stalactites from the ceiling or stalagmites on the floor. It takes about a hundred years for the stalactites to grow one centimetre so the formations at Ryugashi have been growing for thousands of years.
Information boards have been placed around the cave route explaining the geological features and describing the wildlife in the caves – look out for the bats that can fly past. The path is uneven and damp in places, although the stairway by the waterfall is covered to prevent splashing. The path also bends and zigzags through the natural lines of the rock so the caves are not good for buggies or wheel chairs.
The highlight of a visit Ryugashi-Do caves however is the underground waterfall known as Golden Waterfall. It splashes down a drop of about 30 metres with light catching the flow so it looks like gold dust — hence the name. It is one of the longest underground waterfalls in Japan and although it strength varies according to rainfall, it can be viewed all year. Spend a few minutes here watching the water tumble down through the rock walls, and listening to the sound it makes.
At the end of the cave tour is a small museum with models and examples of different types of rocks. There not much in English but it is relatively easy to understand. Beyond the museum is a souvenir shop and food stalls, which include a homemade ice-cream shop — definitely worth a visit.
Between the cave entrance and the shop is a spiral staircase, descends to a footbath. The water in this bath comes directly from the cave system and is very chilly! Something of a surprise if you are used to warm onsen-type footbaths.
The Ryugashi-Do caves can be reached from Hamamatsu JR station on bus number 45. The journey takes about fifty minutes and the caves are a short walk from the bus stop. Alternatively parking is available.
Information
Address:
193 Tabatake, Inasa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, 431-2221
Tel: 053 543 0108
Opening times: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Adults: 1000 yen
Children: 600 yen
Website: http://www.doukutu.co.jp/
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