Nippara Limestone Cave (日原鍾乳洞)

Nippara Limestone Cave

On the western edge of Tokyo, in the mountains of Okutama (Nishitama District), Nippara Limestone Cave (日原鍾乳洞) is one of the largest limestone caves in the Kanto region. Once a sacred site for shugendo (mountain ascetic practices), it is now one of the area's main tourist attractions.

Bridge over Nippara River leading to the cave entrance

The entrance lies beside a tributary of the Nippara River. Inside, the cave maintains a steady temperature of around 11°C (52°F) year-round, making it refreshingly cool in summer and relatively warm in winter. Visitors can walk through narrow corridors and vast illuminated caverns while spotting stone statues that reflect its history as a sacred site.

An admission fee is required to enter the cave.

Admission:

• Adults: JPY 900
• Middle school students: JPY 700
• Elementary school students: JPY 600

Normal operating hours:

• April to November: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• December to March: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Closed from December 30 to January 3

Tsubame-iwa

Nearby are Tsubame-iwa (燕岩, "Swallow Rock"), named for the swallows that nest on its cliffs, and Bonten-iwa (梵天岩, "Brahma Rock"), a tower-like formation named after the Buddhist deity Brahma.

Bonten-iwa