Ryugado Cave
Map
Ryugado is one of Japan's Three Great Limestone Caves, in Kami, Kochi Prefecture, with a total length of about 4 km (about 1 km of tourist route). It was designated a National Natural Monument and Historic Site in 1934 and selected among Japan's 100 Geological Sites in 2007. Pottery and living remains from the Yayoi period have been found in the cave, making it a spot where nature and history intersect.
Nature Info
- Type
- Limestone cave
- Elevation
- Elevation about 350m (Kami-shi, Kochi Prefecture)
- Access
- About 20 minutes by Tosaden Kotsu bus bound for "Ryugado" from Tosa-Yamada Station on the JR Dosan Line, or about 25 minutes by car from Nankoku IC on the Kochi Expressway.
History & Origins
Ryugado is a limestone cave said to have formed in the Paleozoic era 250 million years ago. Excavations have shown that people lived here in the Yayoi period. A Yayoi pot called 'Kami no Tsubo' has been found fused with stalactites, telling of a long history of coexistence between people and nature.
Highlights
The greatest highlight inside the cave is the 'Kami no Tsubo,' a Yayoi-period pot absorbed into a stalactite. A succession of dynamic underground scenery follows, including Sekkaden, Hiryu no Taki and Uramimi no Taki. The temperature in the cave stays at about 17 degrees Celsius all year, so it is cool in summer and warm in winter and comfortable to tour.
Visitor Guide
The tourist course (about 1 km) takes about 40 to 60 minutes. Some parts have low passages and steep steps, so comfortable clothing and non-slip shoes are recommended. The cave is fully lit, though some parts are dim. The adjacent Ryugado Museum introduces how the cave formed and the excavated items.
Best Season
The cave stays comfortable at around 17 degrees Celsius all year, so it can be enjoyed in any season. In summer it is popular as a sightseeing spot where the temperature difference from outside brings coolness.
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