Kumaya Cave, the southernmost Ama-no-Iwato legend
Kumaya Cave, located in Tana, Iheya Village, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, is a sacred site that is said to be the southernmost of the many Ama-no-Iwato legends throughout Japan.
The legend of Ama-no-Iwato refers to a cave that appears in Japanese mythology throughout the country, where Amaterasu, unable to bear the sight of strife, hid in a cave. So this Kumaya Cave is the southernmost point of that legend.
It is a spot where you can feel the mysterious atmosphere, which was recognized as a natural monument of Okinawa Prefecture in 1958.
Point 1: Located on the northernmost inhabited island of Okinawa
Kumaya Cave is located on Iheya Island, a small inhabited island that can be reached by ferry from Unten Port in the northern part of Okinawa Island. Kumaya Cave is located along a road near the northernmost tip of the island.
It is not well known by tourists, so it is ideal for those who do not like crowded tourist spots and those who like mysterious spots.
Free parking is available, and it is a sightseeing spot that should not be missed when visiting Iheiji Island.
Point 2: The view outside the cave is also excellent.
To enter the Kumaya Caves, visitors must climb a well-maintained stairway from the coastal road. 200 million years ago, waves and winds eroded the Kumaya Caves. On the way inside, you will be able to see the fantastic rock formations up close.
After climbing the stairs, you will be able to see the beautiful ocean below, giving you a sense of openness.
The rocks were built over a long period of time, and their power is sure to overwhelm you.
Point 3: The spacious interior of the cave is mysterious.
The interior of the cave, which appears at the end of a flight of stairs, is truly mysterious. The entrance is not large, but as you go deeper into the cave, you will find that it is about 600 meters wide and spacious.
Although the cave is not a limestone cavern, the contrast between the occasional rays of sunlight and the interior of the cave makes you feel as if you are visiting another world.
You will have a fantastic sensation as if Amaterasu were right there.
