Menfudo Limestone Cave

In short

Menfudo Limestone Cave is a 280-meter-long cave located at a high elevation of 878 meters above sea level in Dorogawa, Tenkawa Village. Discovered in 1933, it was excavated over five years. Designated as a Natural Monument by Nara Prefecture, the cave maintains an average internal temperature of about 8 degrees Celsius, feeling refreshingly cool in summer.

• ​Soda Straw Stalactites​​: Straw-shaped formations that can only be seen in limited locations in Japan.
• ​Palace-Like Underground World​​: Scenery formed over tens of thousands of years unfolds within the cave.
• ​Monorail​​: Riding the monorail nicknamed "Dorokko" to the high ground offering a panoramic view of the town of Dorogawa is another part of the fun.

History and Highlights

Menfudo Limestone Cave is situated at a high elevation of 878 meters above sea level overlooking the town of Dorogawa. It was discovered in 1933 and was excavated over a period of five years by three people, including the person who discovered it. It is designated as a Natural Monument by Nara Prefecture.

The area around Dorogawa is a sedimentary rock zone containing limestone. Carbon dioxide in rainwater dissolved the limestone along its cracks, gradually carving out large cavities to form the limestone cave. In ancient times, it is thought that the entire area where the present-day settlement stands was a massive limestone cave. It is believed that this collapsed, and the current cave may be what remains of its edge.

The cave has a total length of 280 meters. There is no wind inside, and the average temperature is about 8 degrees Celsius. It feels refreshingly cool in summer and warm in winter.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Soda Straw Stalactites​​: These straw-shaped stalactites are particularly valuable within this cave. In Japan, they can only be seen in limited places.
• ​The Passage of Time in Stalactites​​: It is said that it takes 100 or even 200 years for a stalactite to grow just one centimeter. Visitors can enjoy a sight reminiscent of an underground palace, created over tens of thousands of years.
• ​View of the Town of Dorogawa​​: The limestone cave sits on high ground overlooking the town of Dorogawa. Riding the monorail nicknamed "Dorokko" to head up is also a great part of the experience.

Tips for Exploring

It is about a 15-minute walk from the Dorogawa Onsen Tourist Information Center. Follow the nature study trail that ascends next to Dorogawa Hachimangu Shrine. If you use the monorail from Dorogawa Hachimangu along the way, it takes about 10 minutes from the information center to arrive. To protect the environment inside the cave, pets are not allowed.

The cave is one of the highlights of the Dorogawa Nature Study Trail. Beyond the cave, the trail passes through the natural forest behind Ryusen-ji Temple and leads to Karigane Bridge. Karigane Bridge has a total length of 120 meters and a height of about 50 meters, making it the longest suspension bridge in Tenkawa Village. From the observation deck on Mt. Ohara across the bridge, you can take in a panoramic view of the Dorogawa settlement.

The hot spring town of Dorogawa Onsen is located about 370 meters east-northeast.