written by Ryohei Endo

What is Yugendo Cave? It’s said that It’s the oldest limestone cave in Japan!

English Blog Sightseeing

Goodevening, I’m ryo!

Thank you for coming to my Blog.

There’re a lot of wonderful places in Iwate, so I want many people to come to Iwate.

By the way, When I enter the cave, I’m excited as if I’m on an adventure.

There is the oldest limestone cave in Ichinoseki city.

Today, I will introduce Yugendo Cave!

You can see the geologic strata of 350 million years ago!

What is Yugendo Cave?

What is Yugendo Cave?

Yugendo Cave! is a limestone cave in Higashiyama town, Ichinoseki city, Iwate.

It was discovered in 1980. It is said to be Japan’s oldest limestone cave with a stratum of 350 million years ago.

Generally speaking, a wall of limestone cave is covered with flowstone, but a most of Yugendo cave isn’t covered with it, because a sediment accumulated there, so you can see a original strata of 350 million years ago.

Many fossils such as trilobites and crinoids have been found in this place, so Yugendo Cave is also called the fossil mecca in Japan. The fossil of crinoid on the bedrock was first found there in Japan.

The underground lake ‘Jyoukon-no-izumi’ is also the best part of Yugendo Cave.

Information of Yougendo Cave

Information of Yougendo Cave
Address Higashimotomachi-154-1 Higashiyamacho Nagasaka, Ichinoseki, Iwate
Business Hours April to September AM8:30 ~ PM6:00
October to November AM8:30 ~ PM5:00
December to March AM8:30 ~ PM4:00
The closed day Open all year round
Admission 1,100yen for adult
600yen for Middle school students
400yen for elementary school students
Access 【By car】JR Ichinoseki station ~ Yugendo Cave(about 30min)
【By train】JR Ichinoseki station ~ JR Geibikei station (JR ofunato line about 30min)
Web page http://yuugendo.sakura.ne.jp/index.html

You can see the geologic strata of 350 million year ago!

The total length of this cave is 500m, about 20min ~ 30min to the exit. I recommend comfortable clothes and shoes to travelers, because it’s slippery and a little cold in the cave.

The wall of this cave is more lumpy like a rocks than normal limestone cave. It’s a strata of 350 million years ago.

Yugendo cave

You can also see a various shaped stalactites in this cave.

stalactites

It’s an underground lake ‘Jyokon-no-izumi’. The depth is over 10m and it has a beautiful emerald green color. The water is very clear and transparent.

Jyokon-no-izumi

It’s the fossil of crinoid that members of sea urchins and starfish. It’s a valuable historical and geological material.

the fossil of crinoid

The other side of the exit has been a place of worship since ancient times.

a place of worship

I enjoyed the mysterious space made by nature.

You should come to Yugendo Cave to see the mysterious view made by nature.