One of the most precious limestone caves in Okinawa Prefecture where you can explore the natural limestone caves
Matsuda Cave is the general name for the limestone caves in Ginoza Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture. Matsuda Cave is the collective name for Unumey Cave, Inuzie Cave, and Meger Cave.
While many tourist caves are equipped with scaffolding and other facilities for sightseeing, the most attractive feature of Matsuda Cave is that it is a limestone cave that has been left in its natural state, except a minimal number of ladders.
It is a popular activity spot where visitors can experience the mystery of nature as it was formed 100,000 years ago.
Point 1: Explore limestone caves where you can enjoy nature as it is!
Except for a minimum of ladders and handrails, most of the limestone caves have been left in their natural state, with some areas having poor footholds and others so narrow that visitors must crawl on all fours to get to them.
The attraction of these caves is the thrill of exploring them as if you were a cave explorer, relying only on headlights to guide you through the dark limestone caves.
On the other hand, if you are claustrophobic or have poor footing, you may want to avoid these caves due to their poor footholds.
One of the attractions of the caves is that underground rivers are flowing through them and open spaces at heights of 12 meters, where guides explain about minerals and the environment on the spot.
Point 2: Various creatures lurking in the limestone caves!
A great variety of creatures live in limestone caves. For example, a typical example is the giant lizard, which is more than 45 mm in length. Also commonly seen are the black-tailed lizard spider, with its distinctive black body, the kokikugashira bat, the kamadouma, and spiders.
Shrimps and eels also live in the underground rivers and running water in the limestone caves, and if you are lucky, you may be able to see them.
While these rare and precious creatures can be seen in their natural state, it may be a bit tough for those who are not fond of insects.
Point 3: Three courses to choose from according to your needs
There are three exploration courses at Matsuda Cave: the “Matsuda Cave Exploration Course,” which takes about two hours for a full-scale exploration of Matsuda Cave; the “Matsuda Cave Sansaku Course,” for those who want to enjoy a light exploration in about one hour; and the “Tour of Stalactite Cave Maeger Cave and Surrounding Historical Sites,” which takes a walk around Maeger Cave, a relatively large cave within Matsuda Cave. There are three courses to choose from: the “Matsuda Cave Sansaku Course” and the “Tour of Maeger Cave and Surrounding Historic Sites,” which is a relatively large tour of Maeger Cave within the Matsuda Cave.
Of course, we recommend the authentic “Matsuda Cave Exploration Course,” but if you are not good at exploring narrow places, the “Matsuda Cave Sansaku Course” or “Stalactite Cave Maeger Cave and Tour of Surrounding Historic Sites” may be a better choice.
