Visitors looking for a cool and adventurous experience should consider visiting the Irimizu Limestone Cave (入水鍾乳洞) in Tamura City.
Perhaps less known than the nearby Abukuma Cave, the Irimizu Limestone Cave offers visitors the opportunity to venture into its depths—the narrow cave is 900 m in total and is divided into three courses (A, B and C), each more extreme than the previous one.
Visitors should bring adequate clothing and shoes, as the inside of the cave is wet and slippery with irregular rocky ground and gushing streams.
Course A is the least extreme, and the way into the cave is lit, although there are puddles and wet spots, and you will need to duck in some places since there are short and narrow spots. Course A is 150 m long and takes approx. 30 minutes to complete.
Courses B and C go through an area of the cave where there is less conditioning. Visitors have to walk while having water up to their knees and go through slippery and narrow gaps by candlelight or flashlight.
Course B is 450 m and takes about 60 minutes to complete, while course C is 300 m and takes about 90 m to complete.
Visitors hoping to undertake course C, the most difficult of the three, have to make a reservation before their visit, as the course can only be completed alongside an experienced guide. *Course C is not available and is not taking reservations as of May 2023.
The temperature inside the cave is typically between 10 and 15 degrees regardless of the season.
There are candles, rubber shoes, flashlights and other items available for renting at the entrance.
Prices are as of March 2023.
The cave has been designated as a National Natural Treasure, and it’s easy to see why. You’re bound to become a geology enthusiast after experiencing the charms of the cave.
| Website | https://abukumado.com/en/irimizusyonyudo.html |
|---|---|
| Contact | Abukuma Cave Administration Office |
| Best Season | All Year |
| Opening Hours | Late March - Oct. 31: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<br>Nov. 1 - Early March: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Parking | Free |
| Entrance Fee | Course A: Adults (over 16 years old): 550 yen; Children (ages 7-15): 450 yen | Course B: Adults (over 16 years old): 700 yen; Children (ages 7-15): 500 yen | Course C: Adults (over 16 years old) only 4,600 yen for up to 5 people* *Course C is by reservation only. The fee includes the guide service and entry for up to five people. Course C is not available and is not taking reservations as of May 2023. |
| Related info | Discounts apply for groups of over 15 people. |
| Access | 89-3 Sugaya Aza Dairoku, Takine-machi, Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By Car: Approx. 1 h 10 min. from Fukushima City or 45 min. from Koriyama City by car. By Train: 30 min. walk (2.2 km) or 5 min. by taxi (Haba Taxi Abukuma Cave Business Office [羽場タクシーあぶくま洞営業所 ‘Haba Takushi Abukuma Dou Eigyou Sho’], phone no. 0247-78-3167) from Sugaya Station [菅谷駅] (JR Ban-Etsu Line). Useful Links |
A wonderful family owned and operated small business that sell unique ultraman and kaijyu stylized bread and cookies.The interior is decorated with Ultraman related memorabilia. This is a family owned and operated small business, and the creativity of the (now adult) kids of the family shines through in the various Ultraman and Kaijyu related breads and cookies!Each one is absolutely delicious.©円谷プロ
Dake Onsen is one of Japan's few naturally acidic hot spring sources. The onsen source is located some 8 kilometers away from Dake Onsen town, meaning the hot spring water must be pulled from the source, travelling for around 40 minutes before it reaches the town. During this journey, the hot water becomes softer, making it gentle on the skin. Since the Dake Onsen's hot spring waters are acidic, it is recommended that visitors rinse in the shower after bathing in the town's onsen.This onsen town is also a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. The cherry blossom tunnel at Sakura Hill in Dake Onsen – an onsen town located on the periphery of Mt. Adatara – comes into full bloom in mid-April. Visitors are greeted with fantastic views of cherry blossom against a backdrop of Mt Adatara still sprinkled white with the remainder of last winter’s snow.
The famous Okukuji Prefectural Nature Park in Ibaraki Prefecture designated Furoyama Park as a top Green Spot of Fukushima. Furoyama Park is famous for its yama-tsutsuji (mountain rhododendron), which come into bloom from late April through to early May. There are around 3,000 rhododendron plants which cover the park in deep shades of red. Climb halfway up the hill to gain a great view of the town.
Noji Onsen is a beautifully scenic onsen resort in Adatara mountains. It is especially breathtaking when the outdoor baths, and their cloudy white waters, are surrounded by stunning snowy landscapes in winter.
Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees bloom along both sides of the Fujita River for three kilometers, centering around Horinouchi Bridge near Kikuta Station. The long stretch of leafy foliage features several banks suitable for picnics under the cherry blossoms, which bloom typically in mid-April. (For reference: though blooming periods can change year-to-year, the 2025 blossoms were at full bloom around 15th April.)The riverside is served by nearby Kikuta Station on the Ban-Etsu Line, or there are large car parks near the river walk.
Mt. Shinobu, with a total altitude of 275 meters, is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Fukushima City. It is estimated that it formed about 500,000 years ago when the Fukushima basin caved in and Mt. Shinobu became an isolated hill, which later became the object of multiple local poems, stories, and legends.Visitors can hike up Mt. Shinobu for unobstructed views of the cityscape. Hikers of all levels can try climbing Mt. Shinobu, as its peak can be reached in a few hours and many parts of it can be reached by car.Each year in April, there is a spring festival with cherry blossom night illuminations that attract hordes of visitors. Summer and autumn are also great times to follow the hiking routes on Mt. Shinobu.A spiritual power spot for locals, Haguro Shrine can be found at the top of the central peak, where there is also a giant straw sandal that weighs about 2 tons and is 12 meters in length and is believed to be among the biggest in Japan. The sandal is paraded along Fukushima City each year in August during the Waraji Festival. Also in Mt. Shinobu, you can find the Shinobuyama Neko Inari Jinja (‘cat shrine’), and the Gokoku Shrine, along with several parks.For stunning views of the city, including the Shinkansen bullet train tracks, head to the Karasugasaki Observation Deck on the western side. Located nearby are the Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art and the Fukushima Prefectural Library.
From early April right up to the start of May, 40 varieties of blossoming peach trees present a feast for the eyes for visitors to Hanamomo-no-Sato Park. There are over 300 peach trees spread across the 8,000 square meters of land. From blossoms with a single layer of petals, to the elaborate Yae-zakura and Kikuzaki Sakura flowers, there is a huge variety in the shapes and colours of cherry blossoms to be discovered and enjoyed at Hanamomo-no-Sato Park. As well as being free to visit, Hanamomo-no-Sato Park is conveniently located; just 20 minutes on foot from Iizaka Onsen Station.
This beautiful cherry blossom tree stands alone in the centre of a field. The small temple next to the tree is dedicated to the Buddhist deity of child safety & childbirth. This scenery is so beautiful - it has even been used in Japanese movie posters. Ozawa Sakura usually reaches full bloom at the end of April.