[Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture] Irimizu Limestone Cave is a dungeon that you crawl on all fours! Full of charms that Abukuma Cave doesn't have!

editorial staff
2019.07.18
Last updated: 2023.11.21

table of contents

1 Difference between Irimizu Cave and Abukuma Cave
2 Preparations necessary for entering the cave
3 3 courses at Irimizu Cave
4 Summary about Irimizu Cave
- 4.1 Imizu Limestone Cave＜Information＞

is home to a limestone cave called Abukuma Cave, which is famous nationwide This time, we will introduce another cave that forms ``Abukuma Cave System'' Abukuma Cave, ``Irimizu Cave''

Article link: [Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture] Abukuma Cave is one of Japan's leading limestone caves! Experience the natural beauty created by 80 million years of time!

Difference between Irimizu Cave and Abukuma Cave

Like Abukuma Cave, Irimizu Cave is also open to the public as a tourist cave. However, Abukuma Cave is decorated with lights and is well maintained to make it easy to walk around, making it very tourist-friendly.

Irimizu Cave Entrance — Entrance of Irimizu Cave

On the other hand, Irimizu Cave is in its natural state . There are no beautiful lights, just a rope with a faint glow similar to those found at construction sites.

If you don't bring any lights, it will be completely dark. The ground was rocky underfoot, the water was up to my knees, and water was dripping from above. Once you enter, your whole body will be wet.

Irimizu Cave offers an adventure that feels like conquering a dungeon with a high level of awareness.

Preparations necessary for entering the cave

As mentioned above, if you enter a cave, your whole body will get wet. Therefore, you need to wear clothes that you don't mind getting wet. Of course, bring a change of clothes as well.

Since it is a limestone cave, basically everywhere is wet and slippery. You need to wear shoes that can get wet and have smooth soles that won't slip.

There is a point in the cave where overhead is extremely low and even children have to crawl on all fours. It's pitch black without any lights, so a headlamp comes in handy.

It's a good idea to have these things ready, but even if you come empty-handed, you can rent sandals for shoes and candles for lights at the reception.

3 courses at Irimizu Cave

There are three courses available at Irimizu Cave. Even though the courses are divided, it does not mean that the routes are different.

Those on course A will go to the entrance of course B
People on B course C course .
Course C courses A and B , enters C, goes all the way to the end, and then returns.

In other words, the courses are divided depending on how deep you want to go

A course

Course A (550 yen for adults, 450 yen for elementary and junior high school students) is easy to go to. It's not very wet and it's not that dark either. The path is relatively wide, and you'll be climbing down a rather rugged slope.

That's exactly what you can do without having to make all the preparations mentioned above. The footing is paved with rubber sheets and iron plates, making it easy to walk on.

B course

From course B (700 yen for adults, 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students), it becomes a full-fledged adventure. The temperature inside the cave is 14 degrees throughout the year, and the water that reaches up to your calves (some days up to your knees) is bitterly cold.

If you wish to take Course B or above, you will receive various warnings at the reception. This includes the coldness of the water It's more of an advice than a warning: ``It's cold at first, but you'll get used to it after a while.''

It's true that at first it was so cold that my head went numb. Women and children may scream and shed tears. However, eventually I started to feel paralyzed as if my head was really numb.

Many people are discouraged by the initial cold and the darkness inside the cave and turn back. However, it is true that once you get over that point, you will gradually get used to it.

Candles double the thrill

Lights are a must from course B. If you are not prepared, the only thing you can rely on is the candle given to you at the reception. However, since it is a candle, there is a risk that it will go out if water drips from above.

If it disappears, it will suddenly turn into real darkness and you may panic because you don't know which direction to go. Furthermore, since it is a straight road, there are people who go there and come back.

The streets are extremely narrow, so when we pass each other, I'm nervous that the candles will get on the other person's clothes. If the other person has a candle, I will be nervous.

Candles create a great atmosphere, but they come with the risks mentioned above. Especially if you are going for the first time, or if you don't want to be that adventurous, we recommend that you bring a headlamp to free up your limbs or a clip light sold at 100 yen stores.

Insects and bats bring different horrors

Inside the cave, there are creepy insects with lots of legs, such as millipedes, crabbugs, spider beetles, and springtails. Bats also live there.

People who are not immune to insects or bats should be prepared not to panic if they see them or see them flying at them.

C course

From course C (adults: 4,600 yen for up to 5 people), a guide will be provided. This is because the roads are darker and narrower, so there is a lot of anxiety if you are just a tourist. Guides will be local high school students.

Upon completion, you will receive a "C course completion certificate" There is a hot spring nearby, so you can soothe your frozen body with cold water.

What courses do you recommend?

Course A is not very thrilling and is more like a tourist cave, so it is not much different from Abukuma Cave. If you want to enjoy the charm of Irimizu Cave, you should choose course B or higher.

If you have small children such as elementary school students, it is safer to choose course B. Course C takes about 90 minutes to come out.

If you are confident in your physical strength and spirit, try the C course. In some cases, you may not be able to choose this option as you will be accompanied by a guide.

It is best to make a reservation in advance.

Summary about Irimizu Cave

This time we have introduced the thrilling limestone cave that stands out from the usual tourist caves.

The interior of the cave is not only cold, dark, and scary, but also Falls ,'' which was selected as the ``Top 30 Scenes of Utsukushima Sound ,'' ``Pumpkin Rock,'' which looks exactly as it appears ``wombi caves '' that you must crawl on all fours to navigate. There are many attractions such as the "Kaguri"

This is a spot where you can experience the real thrill of adventure, filled with both fear and fun. Many men hit their heads, so be sure to put on a hat and be brave.