Kyusendo Cave

Little knownBarely documented in English. This is the kind of place the site exists for.

Researched and written by Hinato

Kyusendolimestone caveKumamuraKuma riverstalactites

Kumamoto · Kumamura

32.2792°N, 130.6263°E

Getting the most out of Kyusendo Cave is less about the destination than about timing the light right.

Kyusendo runs about five kilometres into limestone above the Kuma river, which makes it the second longest cave in western Japan and the third longest in the country. Around eight hundred metres is developed for visitors, with stairways and lighting through chambers of stalactites, flowstone and gour pools.

It was found in 1973 by two university students exploring the hillside, which for a cave of this size is remarkably recent. The village of Kumamura around it was severely damaged by the flooding of the Kuma river in July 2020 and the area has been rebuilding since, so confirming that the cave and the approach roads are operating before setting out is not a formality. Hours vary by month, from half past eight to half past six in high summer.

What to know before you go

Access hours

8:30 AM – 6:00 PM in April, May, June, September and October | 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM in July and August | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM from November to March | Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed: Open year-round apart from the New Year period

When to go

Year-round | Summer for the cool interior

Fee

Admission charged — confirm current prices before travelling

Time to allow

60–90 minutes

Making the trip

Directions

8:30 AM – 6:30 PM in July and August; and 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM from November to March, with last admission 30 minutes before closing. Open year-round apart from the New Year period. The cave is about 5,000 m long in total with roughly 800 m open to visitors. Confirm current opening and road conditions before travelling — the area was severely affected by the July 2020 Kuma river flooding.

Beyond the guidebook

**Confirm it is open before you drive.** The 2020 Kuma river flood devastated this valley and recovery has been long. Roads and facilities have changed. **Hours shift by month.** Half past six closing in July and August, five in winter, with last admission thirty minutes before. Check for your month. **It was found in 1973.** By two students walking the hillside. For a five-kilometre cave in a populated valley that is extraordinarily recent. **Around 800 metres are walkable.** Stairs and level changes throughout. It is a proper walk rather than a viewing gallery. **It is cold inside.** Constant cave temperature, which is welcome in August and needs a layer in winter.

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