Nippara Limestone Caves (Okutama)

 cave / caves, limestone quarry, interesting place, natural monument

(A natural monument designated by the metropolitan government)

Inquiries: tel. 0428-83-8491
Open: 08:00-17:00 (November thru March until 16:00)
Closed day: none
Admission fee: Adult 600 Yen
www.nippara.com
www.nippara.com/nippara/syounyuudou/syounyuudou.html
e-mail: info@nippara.com

Nippara Landscape Preservation Association (Nippara Hoshokai)
TEL:0428-83-2099
FAX:0428-83-8352
E-mail:nippara760@nippara.com

Nippara cave is the biggest cave in the Kanto region and can take about 40 minutes to explore. People might be dissapointed by the lack of any stalactites and stalagmites in the cave, but the area is still an interesting place to explore.

Getting there: Take the Chuo line from either Shinjuku or Tokyo station to Tachikawa. From Tachikawa then to Ome and from Ome to Oku-tama (Weekend mornings there is a special direct train (separating) to Oku-tama/Musashi-Itsukaichi). From Oku-tama take a bus to Higashi-Nippari bus stop (the stop is just near the station exit (to the right) - about 30 min. to the terminal stop, and then 2,5 km on foot (straight and up, and right after the bridge). Be aware that bus intervals may be over one hour).

Or, take a taxi, which is about 3,500 Yen from the station.

If you drive your own car (or rented), BE CAREFUL: the road is very narrow! And I mean: it is VERY narrow!

www.tokyoessentials.com/nippara-cave-tokyo.html
www.showcaves.com/english/jp/showcaves/Nippara.html
timenough.wordpress.com/2008/07/31/mitake-valley-and-ni... - map here, too

The temperature of the Nippara limestone cave is best in the Kanto area with around 11degrees C (52degrees F) all year, so it's cool in summer and warm in winter. Visitors can see a variety of stalactites here. The 40-minute tour around the cave is worth trying. There are other facilities near the cave, such as a forest museum (Nippara Shinrinkan), an art museum (Furusato Bijutsukan) and a fishing place, where you'll spend a full day with fun.