幽鬼洞

Yuki-do - Yuki Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Yatsukacho Osoe, Matsue City. (35.492319, 133.184247)
Open:	Currently closed due to the danger of rockfall. [2022]
Fee:	Adults JPY 500, Children free. [2022]
Classification:	lava tube
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	T=15 °C.
Guided tours:	L=100 m.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Matsue Tourism Association Yatsukacho Branch, Tel: +81-852-61-5650, Tel: +81-90-3178-2483. Nature Observation Instructor Kazuya Kadowaki, Terazu, Yatsukacho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Tel: +81-852-76-2397. 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

1926	cave discovered.
07-JUN-1945	designated a National Natural Monument.
31-JUL-1952	designated a Natural Monument.
29-MAR-1952	designated a Special Natural Monument.
DEC-2017	declared a Japanese Geopark.

Description

幽鬼洞 (Yuki do, Ghost Cave) is one of two lava tubes located on Daikonjima, an island which was created by an eruption 190,000 years ago, together with the neighbouring island Ejima. The cave is also known as 旧洞 (old cave) or 大根島溶岩隧道 (Daikonjima Lava Tunnel).

The cave actually has the shape of a donut, a circular passage with a length of about 100 m, plus two passages branching off. As lava tubes are normally a single straight or meandering passage, this is quite exceptional. The reason is most likely a point where the lava flow split into two flows, and it rejoined behind the obstacle.

The entrance to the cave is a pit which was stabilized by the locals long ago with a surrounding wall, a trail with stone steps leads down into the cave. This entrance is a collapse doline, caused by the collapse of the thin ceiling. It seems it was formed by the accumulation of a gas bubble while the lava was still flowing, which created a vent to the surface. Later this vent became subject to weathering and the ceiling around the vent collapse and formed a talus slope, which is used today to enter the cave.

The ceiling is often quite low, so it is necessary to stoop inside, and big parts of the cave are covered by a shallow lake. So if you go we recommend gum boots and helmet. The cave contains troglobiont fish in the water which are colourless and eyeless.

The cave has lava stalactites and pahoehoe lava (rope-shaped lava), also known as Pele's Hair, because it looks like braided hair.

There is the danger of rockfall from the cliff above the cave entrance and from the ceiling. At the moment a sort of metal roof is installed in the cave to protect visitors from falling rocks. As a result the cave is currently not guided, but we recommend contacting the Nature Observation Instructor Kazuya Kadowaki for an update. He is the guy with the key and the guide for both caves on the island.