蛇穴

Jaana Dragon Cave


Useful Information

Location: Waracho Nojiri, Gujo 501-4503 Gifu Prefecture
(35.747608, 137.064276)
Open: no restrictions.
[2024]
Fee: free.
[2024]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst Cave SpeleologyRiver Cave
Light: bring torch
Dimension:  
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Jaana Dragon Cave, Waracho Nojiri, Gujo 501-4503 Gifu Prefecture, Tel: +81-575-77-2211
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

蛇穴 (Saragi, Snake Hole) is only one of the names of this cave, it is also called Jaana or Iyaana which means Dragon Cave. We can only guess that dragon and snake are more or less synonyms in Japanese, we have no idea what Japanese dragons look like, if they are more like western dragons, or more like the winding snakelike Chinese dragons. The name is obviously based on an old legend, which is as short as the cave, which is only 25 m long.

Long ago, a terrifying giant dragon appeared and rose into the heavens. So the cave was named Dragon Cave.

The cave is located in the valley of 和良川 (Kazu Ryō kawa, Wara River) on the western end of the river plain at the foot of a limestone cliff, near the hamlet Waracho Nojiri. It is a river cave and thus forms a resurgence, with clear water gushing out. The resurgence was listed among the 50 most famous springs of Gifu Prefecture. The water is used to produce the local sake named 福和良泉 (ふくわらい, Fukuwarasen, Fukuwara spring). The small river flows south and soon meets Wara River. Like many such small caves, this one was equipped with a small wooden pagoda of religious use. The paved road ends right in front, and a short trail leads into the cave to the cave river. The visit is easy and takes only 15 minutes, the site is freely accessible. The site is not spectacular but worth a visit if you are in the area.