イリユージガマ

Iriyuji-Gama Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Gushichan, Yaese, Shimajiri District, Okinawa 901-0512. (26.123211, 127.749158)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	A=40 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Iriyuji-Gama Cave, Gushichan, Yaese, Shimajiri District, Okinawa 901-0512, Tel: +81-98-998-0330.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

イリユージガマ (Iriyuji-Gama Cave, Iriyujigama Cave) is quite unique, it is a forested doline in the middle of a residential area. It is not very well signposted, and the trail is a little simple, made of staircases for scaffolding. However, the staircase is comfortable and safe, and leads down to the bottom of the doline where the cave entrance is located. The cave has a main passage which is more or less level and has speleothems. There is a trail on the floor but no light and no railings. So if you visit the cave bring a good lamp and walking shoes.

During World War II Iriyujigama was used as the headquarters of the 5th Company of the 89th Infantry Regiment. The main reason was probably the opening towards the coast, which offers a great view on the situation, and was used to install a cannon. The main passage of the cave was used as a storage place for documents of the Gushikami Village Office. Many traces of this time can still be seen, for example, some areas are paved with tiles and stones. Halfway down the passage, the wide floor is leveled into two levels like a shelf. The stalactites on the ceiling have nails hammered into them and wire wrapped around them. On the right side of the passage is a wide, shelf-like space with a step of 40 to 50 cm from the floor. The passage which connects the main passage to the opening on the coast is rather steep with a staircase, and on both sides of the steps, terraces were built to store material.

The site is hard to find and not well signposted. We believe that the coordinates we give are accurate and give the start of the staircase. As far as we know, the cave is not gated and may be visited freely. However, as always in Japan with such a site off the beaten track, it’s quite hard to find reliable information. Much of the info is from the communal website which is down since 2016. Also, translation from Japanese is sometimes a little weird. We believe that the cave is currently freely accessible, but this might change at any time. Feel free to send us updates by email if you visit the site.