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.
Last official check
25 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
24 Dec 2026
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- 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- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- 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
Found wrong or outdated information?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
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
Not checked yet — 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).
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
Verification log
- 25 Sept 2026First check · Official website · https://www.iwate-ryusendo.jp/operation/Hours, days, fees, parking, rules, clothing, stairs, wheelchairs and busy periods read from the official operation page.
- 25 Sept 2026First check · Official website · https://www.iwate-ryusendo.jp/access/Access read from the official access page.
- 25 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://iwatetabi.jp/spots/4348/Address, description and coordinates read from the Iwate Prefecture tourism site.