Tenkawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture is located in the south of the central part of Nara Prefecture, where the mountains of the Omine Mountains called “Kinki Roof” rise. Mount Hakkyogatake, the highest peak of the Kinki region, flows through the Tennokawa River, the source of the Kumano River, and it is cool in summer and cold in winter.
“Menfudo Limestone Cave” is in a village called Tenkawamura Village. This Tenkawamura Village is also known for its Mount Omine known as the part of “UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”.
Tenkawa Village in Nara Prefecture has two limestone caves as sightseeing spots. “Goyomatsu Limestone Cave” and “Menfudo Limestone Cave”. This time, we will introduce one of them, “Menfudo Limestone Cave”.
It is considered the largest limestone cave in the Kansai region. It was discovered by the general public about 85 years ago, and then developed over 15 years so that the inside can be seen.
Menfudo Limestone Cave seems to have had various dramas during that 15 years. It seemed to be difficult because the costs were enormous and the members who started the development together left on the way. In spite of this, they seemed to have completed the development without giving up, and because of its history, we can see it now.
Menfudo Limestone Cave is designated as a natural monument in Nara Prefecture. In the cave, various forms of stalactites and stalagmites are beautiful and a mysterious world spreads out.
The limestone cave, which is said to be the largest in the Kansai region, is easy to walk on a route with a length of about 150 meters, but it is quite complicated due to the difference in elevation. The lit up stalactites have many attractions and a good atmosphere, and you should be able to enjoy the adventure. Let’s explore with excitement what natural shapes can be seen.
There is no need for helmets or headlights for sightseeing in the cave, and there is no accompanying guide. The ceiling is high, there are no dangerous places, and you can freely visit it, so you can enjoy it without worrying about it. It is said that it takes about 20 minutes to go around the cave. Although there are differences in height, children will be fine if they are physically strong.
Introducing access to “Menfudo Limestone Cave”. The bus leading to the limestone cave departs from Shimoichiguchi Station on the Kinki Tetsudo Yoshino Line. There are various buses from Shimoichiguchi Station. To get to Menfudo Limestone Cave, choose a bus from Dorogawa Onsen. The destination is the end point Dorogawa Onsen.
The bus ride takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Once you get off the bus stop, you can walk to Menfudo Limestone Cave. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Let’s go to the limestone cave while enjoying the natural scenery.
The scenery from the monorail to the limestone cave is popular
“Menfudo Limestone Cave” in Tenkawa village Yoshino gun, Nara prefecture is the largest scale cave in the Kansai region. It is also designated as a special natural treasure in Nara prefecture. Inside the limestone cave of about 280 meters in length, there is a mysterious space spread over a long period of time.
“Menfudo Limestone Cave” located in Dorogawa of Tenkawa village known as a village of world heritage was discovered in 1933. Because it is on the hill where you can see the town of Dorogawa, the scenery from the monorail to the limestone cave is of course popular as well as the inside of the limestone cave. It is one of the recommended tourist attractions in Tenkawa village which is also designated as a special natural treasure in Nara prefecture.
It is said that the stalactite generally takes 100 to 300 years to grow 1 cm. With a tremendous amount of immense time spent connecting stalactite and stalagmite is called stone column. Even “Menfudo Limestone Cave”, you can find stalactites, stalagmites, rare stone pillars, etc. made over tens of thousands of years. Please try to experience the mystery of nature.
Designated as a natural monument of Nara prefecture
There is “Menfudo Limestone Cave” which is the largest cavern in the Kansai district in the Dorogawa area of Tenkawa village, Yoshino gun, Nara prefecture. Menfudo Limestone Cave was discovered by Mr. Hiroyoshi Hashimoto in 1951, then he invested personal property and developed and completed this limestone cave. Currently it is designated as a natural monument of Nara prefecture.
Quite tired to keep walking on an uphill slope
If you use “Menfudo Monorail” which is a little walking from the entrance of the mountain, you will arrive at Menfudo Limestone Cave in around 5 minutes. The promenade is being maintained and it is possible to arrive in about 10 minutes on foot, but it is quite tired to keep walking on an uphill slope.
Children enjoy it as attraction
The ride capacity of the monorail is 16 people, the fare is 500 yen round trip for adults. It is a monorail of a log-shaped design, climbing the mountain slope slowly. Children will be able to enjoy themselves as attraction.
You can watch it in about 20 minutes
The temperature of inside the limestone cave is about 8 degrees centigrade throughout the year and you can feel that it changes into cool air as entering the limestone cave. It is structured like going around from the entrance of the limestone cave, and you can watch it in about 20 minutes. The passage in a limestone cave has the place which has got wet with water, and a narrow place, and somewhat needs cautions for the head or a step.
Fantastic space is produced
It is lighted up by the LED lighting to the highlight in the cave, and a fantastic space is produced.
Also, depending on the characteristics and shape of the stalactite and stalagmite, there are many names such as “crepe ceiling”, “bat cave”, “Gongen cave”, “Rakan cave”, “Mother cave”.
Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)
| Name: | Menfudo Limestone Cave |
| Address: | Dorogawa 673-89 Yoshinogun Tenkawamura, Nara 638-0431 Japan |
| Access: | Kintetsu Yoshino-sen Line “Shimoichiguchi-eki Station” (80 minutes by bus) |
| Tel: | (+81) 747-64-0352 |
| Price: | 450 yen (Adult) 200 yen (Child) Please refer the official web page. |
| Official site: | http://www.dorogawaonsen.jp/ |
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