Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I would like to introduce the Nichibara Limestone Cave in Tokyo, which I toured by motorcycle from central Tokyo. Tokyo’s Nibara Limestone Cave is one of the largest limestone caves in Japan, located deep in the mountains of Okutama, and is said to have been formed approximately 120,000 years ago. Tokyo’s Nichibara Limestone Cave is a place you should visit at least once, with its natural beauty and mysterious atmosphere. Now, I will tell you about the touring to Nichibara Limestone Cave in Tokyo.
Tokyo Nihara Limestone Cave is a limestone cave located in Okutama-cho, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo. The total length is approximately 1200 meters, of which 800 meters are open to the public. Tokyo’s Nichibara Limestone Cave is a cavity created by underground water dissolving limestone, where you can see underground landscapes such as stalactites and stalagmites created by water droplets carrying limestone.
Route to Nichibara Limestone Cave, Tokyo
The touring route from Tokyo to Nichibara Limestone Cave starts from Chuo-ku, Tokyo and is as follows:
First, go from Hakozaki Minatobashi Dori to Hakozaki IC and enter the Mukojima Line/Shuto Expressway No. 6/Route 6. Afterwards, proceed via Shuto Expressway No. 4 Shinjuku Line/Route 4, Chuo Expressway, Ken-O Expressway/Metropolitan Central Interconnection Expressway/National Route 468 to Nagatabashi Street/Prefectural Route 184 in Hirai, Hinode-cho. From here, take the Hinode IC and exit the Ken-O Expressway/Metropolitan Central Interchange Expressway/National Route 468.
Next, proceed via Yoshino Kaido/Route 45 and Ome Kaido/National Route 411 to Nichihara Kaido/Route 204 in Nichihara, Okutama Town.
This route takes approximately 3.5 hours and covers a distance of approximately 150 kilometers. Using expressways such as the Shuto Expressway and the Chuo Expressway, head from Tokyo to Okutama and reach the Nichibara Limestone Cave.
Highlights of Nichibara Limestone Cave in Tokyo
At Nichihara Limestone Cave in Okutama, Kyoto, you can enjoy the mysterious space created by nature as if you were exploring. We have summarized the highlights below:
Great Underground Temple: Proceed deep into the cave, and after passing through Jigokudani'' andSanzu River,” you will find this impressive large hall, “Mountain of Death.” The way the illuminated rock surface changes color over time, from red to blue to purple to green, is so magical that you can’t help but stop and admire it.
Stalactites: Stalactites are natural works of art created from limestone. The icicle-like objects hanging down are stalactites, the tower-like structures extending from the floor are stalagmites, and the stalactites and stalagmites combine to form stone pillars.
Vajra Cane: The long, slender stalagmite “Vajra Cane,” which measures approximately 2.5 meters in length, is estimated to have taken more than 32,000 years to grow.
Enmusubi Kannon: At the top of the stairs of Shide-no-yama, there is the Enmusubi Kannon surrounded by stonework. It is said that many people visit Nichibara Limestone Cave in search of a good match.
There are also hot springs and activity facilities nearby. Recommended spots include Nippon Stream Fishing Spot,''Okutama Onsen Moegi no Yu,” Grandex Okutama Base Shiromaru Annex,''Nippon Forest Museum,” and “Nippon Furusato Museum.”
There is a free parking lot for motorcycles at Nichibara Limestone Cave in Tokyo. The motorcycle parking lot is about a 5-minute walk from the limestone cave entrance. There is space for about 20 motorcycles in the parking lot, but it can get crowded on weekends, holidays, and during the season. In that case, you can also use a paid parking lot nearby.
Summary
This time, we introduced the Nichibara Limestone Cave in Tokyo, which we toured by bike from central Tokyo. Tokyo’s Nichibara Limestone Cave is one of the largest limestone caves in Japan, and is a spot where you can enjoy the beauty of natural formations and mystical atmosphere. The touring route to Nichibara Limestone Cave in Tokyo is about 150 kilometers in about three and a half hours using expressways such as the Shuto Expressway and the Chuo Expressway. Along the way, you can also ride along scenic roads such as Umegaya Pass and Ome Kaido. At Nichibara Limestone Cave in Tokyo, you can see underground landscapes such as stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes and colors. There is a free parking lot for motorcycles at Nichibara Limestone Cave in Tokyo, but you can also use a temporary parking lot when it is crowded. Tokyo’s Nichibara Limestone Cave is recommended as a day trip spot from Tokyo. Please come and visit us at least once.
The English name of Nippara Limestone Cave in Tokyo is Tokyo Nippara Limestone Cave.
