あぶくま洞

Abukuma-do - Abukuma hora - Abukuma Cave

Useful Information

Location:	1 Higashikamayama, Takinemachi, Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture. Takine-tyo, Fukushima. 4 km from JR Banetsu East Line Kanmata Station. 10 km from Banetsu Expressway Ono IC. (37.342681, 140.675556)
Open:	Mid-MAR to mid-JUN daily 8:30-17. Mid-JUN to SEP 8:30-17:30. OCT to mid-NOV 8:30-17. Mid-NOV to mid-MAR daily 8:30-16:30. [2022]
Fee:	Adults JPY 1,200, Children (15-17) JPY 1,200, Children (12-14) JPY 800, Children (6-11) JPY 600, Children (0-5) free. Groups (15+): Adults JPY 1,000, Children (15-17) JPY 650, Children (12-14) JPY 600, Children (6-11) JPY 500. Groups (100+): Adults JPY 900, Children (15-17) JPY 600, Children (12-14) JPY 550, Children (6-11) JPY 450. Groups (200+): Adults JPY 850, Children (15-17) JPY 550, Children (12-14) JPY 500, Children (6-11) JPY 400. Discovery tour: Adults JPY 1,400, Children (12-14) JPY 1,000, Children (6-11) JPY 800. Online tickets: discount. [2022]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System Coloured Light
Dimension:	L=3.300 m, T=15 °C, H=90%.
Guided tours:	L=600 m, D=40 min, ST=300. Discovery tour: L=720 m, D=50 min, ST=300.
Photography:
Accessibility:	no, too many steps
Bibliography:	Katsuji Suzuki (1993): Abukuma Cave, Irimizu Limestone Cave, Takine Town, Suzuya
Address:	Abukuma Caves Management Office, 1 Higashikamayama, Takinemachi, Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture 963-3601, Tel: +81-247-78-2125, Fax: +81-247-78-2127. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

15-AUG-1969	discovered and named Kamayama Shonyu-do.
1970	survey by the Nihon University.
07-FEB-1971	designated a natural heritage.
01-JUN-1973	renamed Abukuma-do, developed and opened to the public.

Description

あぶくま洞 (Abukuma-do, Abukuma Cave) was originally named named Kamayama Shonyu-do when it was discovered in 1969. Only two years later the development started, and again two years later it was renamed and opened to the public. About 600 m of the 3,300 m long cave is developed.

There are several speleothems, like the stalagmite called Christmas Tree and a column called the Silver Frost. The Christmas Tree is more than 2 m high, and the management calls it the largest stalagmite in the East. Concerning 70 m high stalagmites in China and Vietnam, this seems a little strange. But most extraordinary are some areas with boxwork, a pretty rare speleothem looking like thin blades forming boxes. It is found in two other caves in the area, but this is the only one which is open to the public. The largest chamber of the tour is 29 m high and named 滝根御殿 (Takine palace).

There is another part of the cave, 120 m of rather narrow and low passages, but with fine speleothems, which are guided on cave trekking tours. The passage is a side passage of the regular tour, so the cave trekking tour actually just a detour on the regular cave tour. It is quite popular among children and physically fit visitors, which have no problem with stooping, climbing ladders and balancing on stepping stones. Actually the detour takes only 10 minutes, offers fine speleothems but requires a lamp and you may get dirty.