The Otaki Limestone Cave is a cave complex found just outside of the town of Gujo. The name “Otaki” refers to the large, 30 meters high waterfall found within the cave – the tallest known underground waterfall in Japan. The hills around Gujo are full of limestone caves, but the Otaki Limestone Cave (or Ōtaki Shōnyūdō) is the most famous of them all, thanks to the giant waterfall that gives the cave its name.
The Otaki Limestone Cave journey starts in the carpark, where you first take a short cable-car system up the side of the cliff for a couple of minutes. At the top, you will find the cave entrance, and the clearly defined pathway through the cave. The path is can be steep, slippery, narrow and tight at times, so it may be uncomfortable or challenging for some.
The cave features several naturally occurring stalagmites and stalactites, with notable formations lit up and labeled (Japanese only) for easy viewing. In addition, near the end of the cave you can find the famous Otaki Waterfall, as well as some beautiful rock carvings at the waterfall. In total, there is approximately 700 meters of walking path found at the Otaki Limestone Caves, and takes about half an hour to an hour to complete the course depending on pace.
Hours and Admission
- Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm (last entry at 5:00pm)
- 1000JPY
- Average Time Spent: 30-60 minutes
- Official Website
Where To Stay
Accessing the Otaki Limestone Caves
The Otaki Limestone Caves are a short 15-minute drive from Gujo-Hachiman Station.
Public Transport does not cover this area, so you can only get to the Otaki Limestone Cave by rental car, private car, or taxi.
During Peak Tourism season, you may need to park your car in an auxiliary carpark a short distance from the main carpark, but outside of the main holiday period you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a space.
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