About the limestone caves in Ishigaki Island! We also introduce nearby limestone caves!
Table of Contents
- 1 What is Ishigakijima Cave?
- 2 How to get to Ishigakijima Cave
- 3 Features of Ishigakijima Cave
- 4 Why Ishigakijima limestone cave?
- 5 Highlights of Ishigakijima Cave
- 6 Ishigakijima limestone cave recommended experiences
- 7 3 stalactites you can see in Ishigaki Island limestone caves
- 8 Other limestone caves except Ishigakijima limestone cave
- 9 summary
Hello everyone! Did you know that limestone caves exist on islands like Ishigaki Island? The rocks on islands that rise up from the sea bottom are eroded by the currents and form large hollows. That is how the limestone caves are formed. Therefore, there are several limestone caves in Ishigaki Island, and there are also several limestone caves in nearby Iriomote Island. In this article, we will introduce the limestone caves in Ishigaki Island.
What is Ishigakijima Cave?
It is the largest limestone cave in Ishigaki Island located between Banna Park and the city. Since it is a large scale limestone cave and spacious inside, it is a recommended sightseeing spot to visit in a group. Not only the natural beauty of stalactites, but also the fantastic glow of the world's first stalactite cave illumination impresses visitors. There are also restaurants and orchard classes in the vicinity, and since the area has been transformed into a tourist spot, visitors can spend half a day just at the limestone caves.
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How to get to Ishigakijima Cave
Ishigaki Island limestone caves can be accessed by car (rental cars and cabs) or by bus.
By car: 8 minutes drive south from Ishigaki city center, 30 minutes drive west from the airport.
By bus】After boarding the "West Circle Line", "Yoshiwara Line", or "West Ibaruma Line" from the bus terminal, get off at the Yaeyama Nature Village Entrance in about 15 minutes. It is then a 3-minute walk to the destination.
Features of Ishigakijima Cave
Ishigakijima limestone cave is the largest limestone cave in Ishigaki Island with a total length of 3.2 km. The open area is only 660m long, but you can see stalactites of various shapes and lengths in the cave. Ishigakijima limestone cave is known as a sacred square, where you can enjoy the world's first limestone cave illumination.
Why Ishigakijima limestone cave?
Ishigaki Island limestone caves are located close to the city center, and transportation is convenient. The surrounding area is also a tourist attraction and can be visited as a leisure activity. It consists of a variety of restaurants, orchards, and experience facilities.
Highlights of Ishigakijima Cave
One of the highlights of Ishigaki Island limestone caves would be the Sacred Garden. It is famous as the place where you can see the world's first limestone cave illumination. The collaboration of illuminated stalactites and illuminations is a must-see. Another highlight is the use of the caves as a sake brewery, taking advantage of the dark and cold climate. Customers who purchase Awamori can let it sit for as long as they wish, and when it is old enough, it will be shipped to them.
Ishigakijima limestone cave recommended experiences
"Plaster Shisa color painting experience
Visitors can experience Shinna-nuri (painting) the famous Okinawan guardian deity Shisa in the color of their choice.
Fee: 1,100 yen/person
Time required: approx. 30 min.
"Dream catcher strap making experience
Do you know what a dreamcatcher is? It is an American Indian amulet, an ornament made by wrapping string or other material around a circular object to create a spider web shape within it. Try making a dreamcatcher, which is said to be a good luck charm or a charm against evil.
Fee: 1,100 yen/person
Time required: approx. 30 min.
Reservations are required for both, so if you would like to experience them, please make a reservation and visit.
Q&A of Ishigakijima limestone cave
Q. How long does it take to visit the cave?
A. It takes about 30 minutes.
Q. How big is the Ishigaki Island limestone cave?
A. The total length of Ishigakijima limestone cave is said to be 3.2 km. Currently, 660m is open to the public, and there are many attractions within this 660m such as the Sacred Garden with illuminated limestone caves, a sake brewery, and Totoro stone.
Q. Can groups participate?
A. Yes, it is possible. The limestone caves are the largest on the island, so there is plenty of room to explore. 990 yen for adults and 490 yen for children are the reduced rates for a group of 15 or more people.
Q.Are there other things to appreciate besides stalactites?
A. Yes. You can observe fossils of corals, giant clams, and other sea creatures.
Q.When is the illumination lit?
A. Basically, the light is on during business hours. Please enjoy the beautiful collaboration with the limestone caves.
Q.Are there any living creatures in the cave?
A. Bats and other nocturnal species are often found. Palm crabs are sometimes found in the corners of rocks. Cave creatures do not like strong light or stimulation, so do not stimulate them if you find them.
Q.Are there any other activities besides exploring the limestone caves?
A. We also offer beach art classes and shisa painting experience. It is a perfect souvenir for your trip to Ishigaki.
3 stalactites you can see in Ishigaki Island limestone caves
buried earthen jar that makes sound when water drips into it (garden feature)
The entire space is a natural suikinkutsu, and if you listen carefully, you can enjoy the sound of dripping water.
Although the saucers are installed by people, the sound of the water flowing down into the saucers reverberates through the cave, creating a soothing sensation.
The entire space is a large natural suikinkutsu. Although the saucer was installed by a human, the sound of dripping drops echoes gently in the spacious room.
Forest of Sculptures of the Gods
This area is home to limestone caves of various sizes and shapes, and is called the Forest of Sculptures of the Gods because its stalactites look like the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) and the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. There are also other types of stalactites such as icicles and stone cylinders.
Totoro stalactite
The stalactite became a topic of conversation because of its resemblance to Totoro in the Ghibli film "My Neighbor Totoro". The stalactite with its ears standing up like Totoro is very cute. It is a popular photo spot.
Other limestone caves except Ishigakijima limestone cave
Sabichi Cave
Sabichi Cave is a limestone cave that was created by crustal movement around 370 million years ago. The cave is known as a "limestone cave that passes through to the sea," which is rare in Japan, and the sea can be seen from the inside of the cave.
Sabichi Cave is 230m long and less than half of Ishigaki Island's limestone caves. Inside the cave, there are fossils such as shells of giant clam and dabane coral, and you will realize that the cave used to be in the sea. You can also go through the caves and see the beautiful ocean beyond. The beautiful emerald green sea that fills your eyes will fill your field of vision.
How to get to Sabichi Cave
Sabichi Cave is located near the base of the Kawakubo Peninsula and can be accessed by rental car, cab, or bus.
From Ishigaki Airport, 40 minutes by car in the direction of Funakoshi.
By bus】Take the "Hirano Line" or "Round-the-clock Line" for about 75 minutes, get off at "Ibaruma", and walk for about 20 minutes.
Spot Name: Sabichi Cave
Address: 185 Ibaruma, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Admission fee: 1250 yen
Sabichi Cave Features
The most distinctive feature of Sabichi limestone cave is that it is a limestone cave that leads to the sea. It is known as one of the rare limestone caves in Japan, and the ocean can be seen from inside the cave.
Another feature of the site is its archaeological value, as fossils of tabanes corals and giant clams that lived in the ancient sea have been unearthed.
Why Sabichi Cave?
The Sabichi limestone cave is recommended for its numerous spots for its small size. There are three major attractions in the cave alone: a pond inhabited by giant eels, an icicle stone, and artifacts. If you include the sea beyond the limestone caves and the oddly shaped rocks, there are as many as five attractions. The pond where giant eels live is said to be located just after entering the limestone caves, and many visitors look for it with their eyes. Beyond the pond, the icicles hanging from the ceiling of the cave sometimes contain fossils of precious shells and corals that existed in prehistoric times. In the area where there are artifacts, there are works of art, urns called geeshigami, salted pork called suuchikigami, and Yaeyama ware pots in which Awamori (Okinawa rice wine) is matured. And the biggest attraction of the Sabichi limestone caves is the sea beyond the caves. The most famous feature of Sabichi Cave is the beautiful sea beyond the cave. The emerald-green transparent sea is even more beautiful when you go through the limestone caves. If you turn to the right, you will see a rock in the shape of a turtle, which is famous as a power spot that brings happiness.
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Iriomotejima limestone cave
What is Iriomotejima Cave?
Iriomote Island, like Ishigaki Island, was formed by rising from the bottom of the sea, so there remain many limestone caves including Uehara Cave. The most famous limestone cave in Iriomote Island is Iriomotejima limestone cave. There are three stalactite caves in a row, the first one has a large entrance, the second one is smaller, and the third one has a very narrow entrance and gradually gets smaller. There is a beautiful sight of a river at the end of the caves. Caving expedition is also available in Iriomotejima limestone caves.
How to get to Iriomotejima Cave
Iriomotejima limestone caves are located on the north side of Omija River, and you have to walk through the forest to visit the caves. Please join a trekking tour or caving tour to visit them.
Features of Iriomotejima Cave
The most distinctive feature of the site is a series of three caves: the first is a large cave with a large entrance, the second is a smaller cave, and the third is a very narrow cave with an entrance that must be 100 meters in length. The third cave, in particular, is characterized by the fact that you have to bend down slightly to walk through a pitch-dark area with no light along the way, which is the kind of experience that comes to mind when you hear the word "caving expedition.
Reasons to visit Iriomotejima limestone caves
Iriomotejima Island limestone cave exists in the forest and has a very atmospheric limestone cave. The limestone caves are also long and gradually become smaller, allowing visitors to get used to the caves as they proceed. Therefore, visitors can enjoy a sense of exhilaration and accomplishment when they step through the caves.
3 tours of Iriomote Island limestone caves
1. discover new charm of Iriomote Island! Exploration of subtropical jungle limestone caves (caving)
This tour takes you to two limestone caves. You can enjoy authentic caving and feel the original power of limestone caves and the breath of nature.
Click here for popular caving tours
2. unexplored area of Iriomote Island cruise & trekking & limestone cave experience tour
This is a very economical tour in which you can enjoy four activities in one tour: cruising by SUP or canoe in the great nature of Iriomote Island, jungle exploration, waterfall play, and limestone cave exploration.
The guide will take you to the best spots based on the day's weather conditions.
Click here to book caving.
3.SUP or canoe & limestone cave exploration & "Miracle Island" landing tour
This tour includes the landing at Barasu Island, which is said to be a miraculous island, added to the tour introduced in 2. This is a very voluptuous tour that allows you to enjoy the nature of Iriomote Island including forests, rivers, caves, and the sea.
↓Click here for popular Iriomote Island tours
Check out more details about Iriomote Island tours from Ishigaki Island!
summary
How was it? Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island are the places where there are many limestone caves formed by seawater erosion on the land where the seabed was raised. Among them, Ishigakijima limestone cave which is the largest and has various spots, and Sabichi limestone cave which is the only limestone cave that goes out to the sea in Japan can be said to be rare limestone caves in Ishigaki Island. In Iriomote Island, a neighboring island, there is also a popular caving cave called Iriomote-jima Shiryuku-do (Iriomote Island limestone cave). We hope this article will spark your interest in limestone caves around Yaeyama. Thank you for reading to the end.
