宇津野洞窟

Utsunodōkutsu - Utsuno Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Sano, Tochigi prefecture. Tochigi IC, on highway 32 towards Kuzuu.
Open:	ALL year daily 9-16. [2020]
Fee:	free. [2020]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=100 m, VR=20 m, T=15 °C, A=165 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided, D=10 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Utsuno Cave, 1074 Aisawacho, Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture 〒327-0511, Tel: +81-283-27-3011, Fax: +81-283-22-8831.
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

Description

宇津野洞窟 (Utsuno Cave) is a very small show cave and some visitors were rather disappointed. However, the cave visit is free and the cave is well developed and has electric light. For foreigners the traditional wooden entrance is quite nice, and there are some nice views across the valley on the trail from the parking to the cave. Also the cave is quite unknown and there are never crowds, most likely you will be alone. Visitors are asked to leave their name and address in the guestbook at the entrance.

Utsuno Cave is located in Triassic dolomites named Nabeyama formation which cover an area of about 8 km² around Sano. The karstification and cave formation happened during the Pleistocene.