亀岩の洞窟

Kameiwa Cave - Turtle Rock Cave - Turtle Cave - The gate

Useful Information

Location:	1954-17 Sasa, Kimitsu 292-0526 Chiba Prefecture. (35.185400, 140.060130)
Open:	no restrictions. [2022]
Fee:	free. [2022]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Kameiwa Cave, 1954-17 Sasa, Kimitsu 292-0526 Chiba Prefecture. Kimitsu City Economic Department, Economic Promotion Division, Tourism Promotion Section, 2-13-1, Kubo, Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture, Tel: +81-439-56-1325.
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

1660	Turtle Cave dug by cutting and straightening a large part of the river to irrigate the paddy fields.

Description

亀岩の洞窟 (Kameiwa Cave, Turtle Rock Cave) is a spectacular site with a round hole in the rock through which a brook flows. The cave is actually a natural bridge, so short the sun shines through the gate giving it an otherworldly shine. Before and after the brook flows through the cave is falls down small waterfalls or rapids which are called 濃溝の滝 (Noumizo Waterfall). The site is quite popular among photographers. It is called 清水渓流広場 (Shimizu keiryū hiroba, Shimizu mountain stream park).

However, the bridge is not as natural as one would think. Turtle Cave was dug by cutting and straightening a large part of the river to irrigate the paddy fields in 1660.

A special highlight is the sun shining through the cave during the equinoctial week of March and September. In the early morning hours the light falls in from the right side and the rays with the round cave form half a heart. The other half is the reflection in the water. This picture has got some instagram fame and made the spot quite popular. However, currently it is completely closed due to Covid-19.