Highlights of Ryusen Cave, one of Japan’s three largest limestone caves, located in Iwaizumi Town,
Welcome to the deep dive. Today we’re heading underground virtually at least to Ryusendu Cave in Awatate Prefecture, Japan. Mhm. This place is well pretty significant. It’s one of Japan’s top three limestone caves and it’s actually a national natural monument. And it’s vast, over 4,000 m explored, though the part you can walk through is about 700 m. Still quite a journey. Exactly. And for this deep dive, thinking about a potential first visit, say around May 9th, 2025, we really want to focus on that famous Dragon Blue underground lake. Ah, yes, the Dragon Blue known for its almost unbelievable transparency. And it’s got this reputation locally as a bit of a a love power spot, right? So, think of this as your um insiders guide. We’re not just reading off a brochure here. No, we want to get into what makes it special. Geology, sure, but also the experience, the practical stuff you need to know. Yeah, hopefully sparking some real curiosity without, you know, burying you in details. Okay, so where do we start? The lakes, I guess. Definitely the lakes or the stars. The first underground lake, that’s the dragon blue one. It’s about 35 m deep. Wow. And it’s been open to the public since uh 1959. The clarity is just astonishing. It’s even listed as one of Japan’s 100 famous waters. 35 m. And you can see the bottom. That’s hard to even picture. It really speaks to the purity of the water, doesn’t it? Yeah. How it filters through all that limestone for ages. Yeah. And then there’s a second lake. Yes. The second underground lake discovered a bit later in 1962. And it’s even deeper. 38 m. Okay. Our info calls the reflections there fantastic. You get these amazing mirror images of the stelacttites on the water. Yeah. As beautiful as a jewel. Apparently sounds very photogenic. Like nature’s own art installation. But you mentioned romance. That’s the third lake. That’s the one. The third underground lake. And get this. It’s incredibly deep. 98 m. Wa. 98. Yeah. And this is the spot heavily promoted as the love connection place. They even have special heart-shaped lighting down there. Ah. So, they lean into that reputation. Absolutely. It makes it a popular photo spot for couples, you know, a mix of natural wonder and well, curated romance. Interesting. And speaking of curated experiences, there’s the Moon Palace, too. Right. Right. The Moon Palace. It’s a section lit with I think five different colors of LEDs creates this very ethereal kind of mean lit vibe. And I bet there’s a heart shape involved somewhere. You guessed it. There’s a heart-shaped rock formation in there as well. So, it seems like they’re really blending the natural cave features with these um designated spots for atmosphere or meaning. Exactly. It taps into both our awe for nature and maybe that desire for a special memorable experience. They call it a power spot too which adds that spiritual layer for some visitors. Definitely. Now for those who want to dig a bit deeper literally and figuratively, there’s the science museum. Oh yeah, the Rusen Shindo Science Museum. And the story behind it is pretty cool. It’s actually another cave. Really? Yeah. Discovered by accident in 1967. They were building a road, found this cave and turned it into a science museum. That’s resourceful. What kind of exhibits does it have? It covers quite a bit. Spiliology, the study of caves themselves, geology, biology, even paleontology and archaeology. Wow. So, you could find fossils or ancient artifacts potentially. Yeah. It gives real academic insight into how these caves form and what lives or lived in them. It shows they’re not just tourist spots, but valuable scientific sites. A good reminder. Now, we mentioned visiting in May, but I saw a note about winter being maybe even better. That’s an interesting point. Apparently, the water clarity in the lakes peaks in winter, and you get fewer water droplets falling from the ceiling. No. Plus, the color shifts in the third underground lake are supposed to be particularly vivid then. Maybe something to do with water temperature affecting the light. Fascinating detail worth keeping in mind for future trips, maybe. But, okay, for this May 9th visit, practicalities. What’s the first thing to know? Temperature. It’s consistently cool inside around 10° C all year round. So, even on a hot May day, it’ll feel chilly. Definitely, especially near the lakes where the humidity is higher, it can feel even colder. So, rule number one, bring a jacket. A hooded one might be good. You mentioned droplets. Yes, exactly. You might get dripped on. It’s a cave after all. So, some basic rain gear or at least that hood. And maybe a small towel wouldn’t go a miss. Okay, good tip. And shoes. Crucial. Comfortable non-slip shoes are essential. Sneakers are fine. Light hiking shoes even better. No flip flops or heels then. Absolutely not. There are stairs, potentially wet surfaces. You need good grip. They specifically advise caution for older visitors and families with small kids. Safety first. Right. It’s still a natural cave environment even if it’s well managed. Precisely. Now, another really important thing, check the weather before you go. Why is that? Does rain outside affect the inside? Can significantly. Heavy rain can raise the water levels inside the cave. Sometimes they have to close temporarily for safety. Ah, okay. Like that typhoon closure last August. Exactly. Happened in August 2024 with typhoon number five. So the key is to check their official website or their X feed. It’s at risen Doye and they update that daily. Seems so. That’s your best bet for the absolute latest status on the day you plan to visit May 9th. Definitely check it that morning. Got it. website or X feed. What about um accessibility inside health concerns? Good point. There are some narrow spots and quite a few steep stairs. So, if you have mobility issues or certain health conditions, it might be challenging. So, know your limits. Yes. The advice is don’t push yourself. And if you’re unsure, talk to the staff there. They can advise you. Okay. And photography. People will want pictures of course, but be aware flash photography might be banned. Why is that? bats likely to protect the bats. Yes. Best to check the current rules with staff when you arrive. And it is dark in there, right? So, for those really nice shots of the lakes, a tripod could be your best friend if you’re serious about getting clear photos in low light. Also, just generally, keeping noise down helps preserve the atmosphere and respect the environment. Makes sense. Any other quick notes? Pets. Rentals. Easy ones. No pets allowed inside. And they don’t rent out gear like jackets or rain ponchos. So, you need to come prepared with your own. Okay, so summarizing the prep, warm layer, good shoes, check the official updates for closures, be mindful of stairs and your health, check photo rules, maybe bring a tripod, and pack your own rain gear if needed. That about covers the essentials for being ready. All right, let’s talk logistics. Getting there, opening times, cost, assuming our May 9th, 2025 visit goes ahead. Address. It’s 111 Canari Iwazumi Choan Iwade Prefixure. But the good news is just pop Ruse and Dew Cave into Google Maps and it’ll get you there. Easy enough hours. They open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 500 p.m. Last Century is actually at 500 p.m. as well. Open year round usually, but always check for those weather closures we mentioned. Always check. Admission fee is 1100 yen for adults, 550 yen for students. Pretty reasonable, I think. Okay. And getting there, public transport options. Yep. from Moroka station, specifically the east exit. Bus stop number one. You can catch the JR bus to Hoku. Look for the one going in Moroka Uizumi Rendo. How long does that take? It’s about a 2-hour then 10-minute ride. They run about four round trips a day. So, you’ll need to check the schedule. And if you’re driving, you take National Route 455. You can get on to it from the Moroka or Moroka Manami interchanges off the Tohoku Expressway. And parking is free on site. Good to know. So once you’re there and you’ve seen the cave, is there anything else nearby worth checking out? Definitely. We already mentioned the recent Shindo Science Museum, which is right there, but there’s also the Shimezu River nearby, apparently very beautiful, and the Hayas Saka Plateau for more nature exploration. So you could make a whole day of it in the area easily. It sounds like a really scenic part of Iwattate. And it seems visitors enjoy the local flavor, too. I saw some mentions on X. People raving about the lake clarity obviously, but also the food. Oh, yeah. What kind of food? Things like local rice balls, grilled fish, and apparently the Iwazumi soft serve ice cream is legendary. Huh. You always find hidden gems like that. Good soft serve can make any trip better. It paints a nice picture of the overall experience, doesn’t it? The nature, the local food. Yeah. And interesting timing. There was just a festival there, the Reason Cave Festival on May 5th and 6th. Oh, just before our hypothetical visit date, right? With traditional arts and food stalls. Even though it’ll be over by the 9th, the info suggests that nice, lively atmosphere might still be lingering in the town. Could still be a bit of a buzz around. Yeah, nice timing. So, let’s zoom out a bit. The science and history behind this place. It’s limestone cave. What does that actually mean? How did it form? Okay, so fundamentally limestone is a type of rock that can be slowly dissolved by slightly acidic water. Think rainwater picking up CO2 from the air and soil. Okay, over immense periods of time, millennia upon millennia, this slightly acidic groundwater seeps through cracks in the limestone, slowly dissolving the rock and carving out passages and chambers like water sculpting rock. Just incredibly slowly. Exactly. And then as the water drips through the ceilings of these newly formed voids, it leaves behind tiny mineral deposits. Calcium carbonate mostly. Ah, and that’s how we get the stelagtites and stelagmites. Precisely. Stelactites hang tight to the ceiling. Stelagmites grow up from the ground. And if they meet, they form a column or pillar. These are called travertine formations. And this takes how long? Tens of thousands of years. Maybe longer. Each drip adds an infantessimal layer. It’s mindboggling geological time. Truly is. And the cave isn’t just rock and water, right? There’s life in there. Bats. Yes. It’s a really important habitat for bats. Our sources list five different species living in Ryus and do things like the greater horseshoe bat, lesser horseshoe bat, some long-eared bats, and they’re protected, highly protected. They’re actually designated as national natural monuments themselves. It underscores how ecologically significant the cave environment is. So observing them quietly is key. Absolutely. Respect their home. They’re a vital part of that ecosystem. And the water itself, besides being clear, is special, too. Extremely. We mentioned its purity. It’s actually used as the local drinking water supply for Ewumi town. Wow. Straight from the cave essentially. Yeah. And they even bottle and sell it as reuse and dew mineral water. It’s known for being rich in minerals. Apparently quite healthy. A testament to how clean that underground environment must be. Definitely. After filtering through all that rock for so long. Okay, let’s walk through a visit mentally. You get your ticket, head in. Staff give you a quick safety briefing, right? And the first thing you’ll notice is that cool air. Maybe a bit damp, especially as you get closer to the water. The path is lit, but watch your step. And then the first big reveal, the first underground lake, dragon blue. You’ll see that incredible sparkling blue water. There are safety fences, of course, so you can look down into it safely. Then you walk deeper in seeing all those different stelactite shapes. Exactly. All sorts of weird and wonderful formations that took millennia to grow. Then you reach the moon palace section with the colorful lights. Yeah. Creating that really unique almost surreal atmosphere. It’s meant to feel otherworldly. And the grand finale sort of is the deepest part. The third underground lake, the deepest point you can access. You really get a sense of scale there looking down into that 98 m depth. Amazing clarity. And that’s where the heart-shaped light is for the photo op. That’s the spot. Perfect place for that commemorative picture. And the route is one way. Yeah. It’s designed for a smooth flow of visitors. You follow the path through and eventually you emerge back outside and there’s a shop and rest area at the exit. Correct. You can grab souvenirs, maybe that famous soft serve ice cream or have a proper meal, debrief from the underground adventure. Sounds like a wellthoughtout experience. Which brings us to the final but really important point. Protecting this place absolutely crucial. Reason dew is a natural treasure. It’s fragile. So the basic rules are pretty simple but vital. Don’t touch the formations. Even oils from your skin can damage them over time. Right. No touching. Pack out everything you pack in. No littering whatsoever. And keep the noise down. No shouting, no running. Respect the quiet natural atmosphere. It’s about being a good guest really. Ensuring it stays beautiful for everyone else for generations to come. Exactly. It’s a shared responsibility when we visit places like this. So, wrapping things up, Ruse and Duke Cave clearly sounds like an amazing destination. Those lakes, the formations, it’s easy to see why it’s famous. Truly world class. And hopefully with the tips we’ve discussed, the right clothing, checking updates, being mindful of the environment, your first visit on May 9th, 2025 will be fantastic. It seems totally achievable to have a safe and memorable trip with just a bit of planning using this latest info. Definitely. And maybe here’s a final thought to leave you with. When you stand there looking at formations that took maybe 50,000 years to grow, or considering the unique life like those bats, what does that make you think about our role, our responsibility when we step into these incredibly ancient, fragile natural wonders? It certainly puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? Maybe it inspires a little digging into just how long geological time is or how these hidden ecosystems work. Something to ponder. Something to ponder indeed.
Tittle:Highlights of Ryusen Cave, one of Japan’s three largest limestone caves, located in Iwaizumi Town, Shimohei District, Iwate Prefecture, and things to be aware of when visiting for the first time!
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