The Abukumado Cave is located between Iwaki and Koriyama, near Kanmata Station on the JR Banetsu East Line. From Kanmata Station, it’s a 20-minute taxi ride (1600 yen) to the cave, or you can rent a car from Iwaki, Koriyama, or Fukushima stations. The train ride from Iwaki to Kanmata takes about 50 minutes (990 yen), and from Koriyama, it takes around 45 minutes (770 yen). The train is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East passes.
Abukumado
4 of 4 in Iwaki
Abukumado Cave (あぶくま洞, Abukumadō), located in eastern Fukushima Prefecture, is a remarkable 3,000-meter-long limestone cave network discovered in 1969. Formed over 80 million years by underground streams, the cave showcases incredible stalactites and stalagmites, including the famous 'Christmas Tree' stalagmite, the largest of its kind in Japan. About 600 meters of the cave are open to the public, featuring well-developed platforms, paved walkways, and some steep staircases. It takes around an hour to explore the main walking course, with occasional narrow passages that are easy to navigate.
For the more adventurous, an optional 120-meter exploration course is available for an extra fee, leading through a narrow tunnel that may require crawling. Inside, visitors can enjoy beautiful lighting effects, especially in the Takine Goten hall. Nearby, you'll find restaurants, souvenir shops, and the Star Village Observatory, with over 50,000 lavender plants blooming nearby from June to July.
Hours and Fees
Abukumado
- Opening hours
-
8:30 to 16:30 (from November to March)
8:30 to 17:30 (from June to September)
Please note that admission ends 40 minutes before closing, and tickets for the exploration course are sold up to 90 minutes before closing.
- Closed
-
No closing days
- Entrance fee
-
1200 yen (exploration course plus 300 yen)
Getting there
Resources
English
Abukumado
Official website
Japanese
Abukumado
Official website
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