Mizunokuchi Cave

Overview

Mizunokuchi Cave is a nationally designated natural monument located in Fumoto, Misobe-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Formed approximately 1 million years ago, the approximately 100m long cave is home to numerous precious cave formations such as stalactites and stalagmites. With a stable year-round temperature of around 15 degrees Celsius, it's cool in summer and warm in winter, making it a place people have used as a living space since ancient times. Traces of past inhabitants remain within the cave, offering a tangible connection to history. The cave's quiet atmosphere provides a tranquil and calming experience. The cave features several chambers, each with unique characteristics. For instance, the innermost "Okuno-Heya" (inner chamber) is a mystical space where water drips from the ceiling, the sound echoing as it hits the stones. The "Chuo-no-Heya" (central chamber), relatively spacious, is believed to be where people once lived. Paintings and inscriptions on the chamber walls provide glimpses into the lives of these past inhabitants. Mizunokuchi Cave is a precious site created by the power of nature, offering a profound connection to human history. We highly recommend a visit.