[Iwate] Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan's three largest limestone caves

Ryusendo Cave is a limestone cave located in Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture, and is also known as Iwaizumi Wakutsu.
With a total length of approximately 1,200m and an elevation difference of approximately 249m, it is counted as one of Japan's three largest limestone caves, along with Akiyoshido Cave in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Ryugado Cave in Kochi Prefecture. Its actual length is said to be even longer, but has not been fully investigated.
In 1938, it was designated a national natural monument under the name "Iwaizumi Wakutsu and Bats," along with the five species of bats that live within the cave.

A mysterious underground lake with famous spring water

Photo by sayo ts – _DSC0907 a limestone cave / Size-adapted.

Iwaizumi Town is a village nestled in the mountains, and while it's not particularly easy to access, it's a wonderful place with abundant nature. A large amount of clean water flows out of Ryusendo Cave as a river, and a walking path has been built around the clear river.
You can tour the inside of the cave for a fee.
There are various sights to see inside, such as the "Dragon's Pool" and the "Silent Waterfall," but the highlight is undoubtedly the underground lake. It is famous for having a total of seven underground lakes, and its mysterious blue color, which seems to draw you in, is known as dragon blue and is well worth seeing.
The spring water from the underground lake is also famous as a fine water source, and in 1985, "Ryusendo Water" was selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Waters.

The Ryusen Shindo Science Museum, located across the road from Ryusen Cave, can also be entered with your Ryusen Cave admission ticket. The museum
exhibits stone tools and earthenware excavated from the newly discovered Ryusen Shindo Cave during tourism development work.

INFORMATION

NEFT Editorial Department

This is the NEFT editorial department.
Articles written by the editorial department and anonymous writers are published here.