備中鐘乳穴

Bicchu-Kanachi ana - Bicchu-Kanachi Grotto - Bitchu Kana Chi Ana Cave


Useful Information

Location: Kamimizuta, Maniwa. From the parking lot 100 m wlakt through cedar forest.
Open: FEB Sat, Sun 9-16.
MAR daily 9-16.
APR to OCT daily 9-17.
NOV to JAN daily 9-16.
[2012]
Fee: Adults JPY 700, Children (11-18) JPY 500, Children (5-10) JPY 350, Children (0-4) free.
Groups (30+): 20% off.
Groups (100+): 25% off.
[2012]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst Cave
Light: LightIncandescent
Dimension: A=300 m asl., L=800 m.
Guided tours: L=300 m.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Bicchu-Kanachi ana, 8854-1 Kamimizuta, Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture 716-1411, Tel: +81-866-52-2962.
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

901 first written mention.

Description

備中鐘乳穴 (Bicchu-Kanachi ana) is said to be the first cave of Japan with a written mention. It was named in the book The Three Great Reflections of Japan which was written in the Heian period (901). The cave was developed in the 1960s and the trails are sufficient but not very comfortable. The electric lighting system is also simple, unfortunately there are nevertheless coloured lamps. However, the cave is definitely worth a visit as it is quite spacious and has fine speleothems.

Nearby is an abandoned show cave named Suwa No Hora can be visited for free. The river cave was equipped with paths, but for some reason abandoned. Not it is freely accessible as long as the trails remain. At some point the wooden bridge is collapsed, from here the cave is only accessible to cavers. However, this entrance section is well worth the visit, with the cave resurgence producing a deafening sound.