大沢鍾乳洞

Osawa Limestone Cave

Useful Information

Location:	〒959-1756 Niigata, Gosen, Kariwa, 乙１１９５. On top of the pass is a small parking lot along the road. On the opposite site a single lane road starts, signposted, 15 minutes walk/370 m. The road leads to a building where it ends, follow the trial in the same direction. (37.682692, 139.100978)
Open:	no restrictions. [2022]
Fee:	free. [2022]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=146 m, VR=17 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Osawa Limestone Cave, 〒959-1756 Niigata, Gosen, Kariwa, 乙１１９５. Gosen City Hall Commerce and Tourism Division, Postal Code 959-1692 1094-1, Ota, Gosen City, Niigata Prefecture, Tel: +81-250-43-3911, Fax: +81-250-41-0006. 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

1993	designated a Natural Monument by the city.

Description

大沢鍾乳洞 (Osawa Limestone Cave) is one of the few karst caves in the prefecture and located on the namesake Osawa Pass which connects Tagami and Gosen. The rocks are rather young from the Neogene, (24-1.8 Ma). There is a layer of sandstone and on top a layer of limestone in which the cave was formed. The cave is small and horizontal, a passage rather narrow and high, at one poit a second passage branches off, so it forms a Y.

As far as we know the cave is not gated and officially a public cave. This is a wild cave, not a show cave, so all rules for cave exploring apply. Bring helmet and headlamp, additional lamps, clothes which might get dirty, gumboots or at least good walking shoes. Also clothes to change, a towel, and a plastic bag for the dirty clothes are a good idea. Never go alone and leave a return time with someone trustworthy. This is definitely a beginners cave without any difficult climbing, the main descent is the doline where the cave entrance is located, the rest is level. However, never underestimate a cave.