青岩鍾乳洞

Seiganshōnyūdō - Aoiwa shonyudo - Aoiwa Limestone Cave


Useful Information

Location: Yamanashi, Tabayama Village
(35.833758, 138.929130)
Open: closed.
[2021]
Fee: closed.
[2021]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=740 m.
Guided tours:  
Photography:  
Accessibility:  
Bibliography:  
Address:  
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

1962 designated as a natural monument by Yamanashi Prefecture.
1998 cave closed.

Description

青岩鍾乳洞 (Aoiwa Cave) has two levels and is known for very white speleothems like stalactites and stalagmites. The cave was named after Aoiwa valley where it is located. It was managed by the nearby Sanjonoyu Lodge. Today it is managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks. The show cave is closed, and the cave only accessible to cavers with a permit, or "academic research groups" as they call it.

The cave is located at a very remote location, and a long hike is necessary to reach it. Nearby Sanjonoyu Lodge offers an Onzen with hot springs, food and overnight stay. They also offered the cave tours, but they were discontinued in 1998. We do not know why it was actually closed, but the remote location and the resulting low number of visitors might have been one of the reasons. On the other hand, the cave is in a very good shape and the speleothems are quite pristine. The lodge is the starting point for climbing the Mt. Kumotori.