Verified in Japan

Iwaizumi, Iwate / 龍泉洞

Ryusendo Cave

One of Japan's three great limestone caves (a Natural Monument), with clear underground lakes; the third lake is 98 m deep.

A small waterfall pouring over mossy rocks into a clear stream
The stream in front of Ryusendo CavePhoto: Photo AC · Terms of use · Source

Last official check

25 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

0

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

24 Dec 2026

Decide before you go

A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.

Getting there
Train / Bus
Admission
Paid (see the price below)
Closing days
Open every day (check the notes below)

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is listed under “Not yet confirmed”.

Opening hours

Oct-Apr 8:30-17:00; May-Sep 8:30-18:00.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Closed

Open every day (may close temporarily, e.g. when water levels rise).

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Admission

Adults (high school and older) 1,100 yen, elementary and junior high 550 yen, preschool free; one ticket covers the cave and the Ryusen Shindo science museum. Group (15+) and disability discounts.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Getting there

About 110 min by car from Morioka via Route 455; about 120 min by JR bus from Morioka Station; about 60 min from Miyako.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Parking

Car parks: No. 1 (about 400 m, 80 spaces), No. 2 (about 70 m, 47), in front of the science museum (about 100 m, 20), No. 3 (about 500 m, 295). Fees not stated.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Accessibility

The route has stairs and steep sections; beyond the third lake is a stair section of about 270 steps with no turning back (go back the way you came if unsure). No pushchairs. Wheelchairs can enter with conditions: turn back before the first lake, and switch to one of the office's 2 narrow wheelchairs; not possible on one-way days (busy periods in May and August, festival days). No toilets inside the cave.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Not yet confirmed

Payment

we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know

Address: 1-1 Kannari, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate

Official site: https://www.iwate-ryusendo.jp/

Location

Smaller pins are other spots nearby.

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Nearby spots

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.

Crowds

Not yet confirmed

Crowd level, Best time to visit, Peak time, Busiest days, Busiest season

no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Latest traveler report
None yet

In busy periods the route becomes one-way with a separate exit (about 60 steps up to a temporary tunnel exit). When heavy rain floods the cave, only the science museum is open.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps

Visiting respectfully

  • NatureDo not break or damage the formations, and do not throw coins into the channels or lakes.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • RulesNo pets; no eating or drinking in the cave; no smoking in the cave or grounds (smoking area provided). Entering after drinking is dangerous because of long steep stairs.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • Local etiquetteThe cave is around 10 C all year; bring a layer even in summer (no jackets or raincoats to borrow). Wear good shoes as the floor can be wet.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site

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