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Take a JR Bus Tohoku service (Ryusendo line) from bus stop 1 at the east exit of Morioka Station to the terminus, Ryusendo-mae (about 2 hours 15 minutes). By car it is about 110 minutes from Morioka via National Route 455, or about 150 minutes from Hanamaki Airport.

The public route is a made-up path, but there are about 270 steep steps partway along. If you are unsure of your fitness or have young children with you, we recommend going as far as the third underground lake and returning the way you came.

8:30-18:00 from May to September and 8:30-17:00 from October to April. It is open all year round, but may close temporarily if heavy rain raises the water level inside the cave.

The public route is about 700 m and takes 30-40 minutes as a guide. Adding the observation deck route, with about 270 steps to climb, takes around an hour. If you are unsure of your fitness, you can view the third underground lake and return the way you came.

Photography inside the cave is generally permitted. Use of flash may be restricted out of consideration for the bats and the cave environment. Please check the official website before visiting.

Adults 1,100 yen, elementary and junior high school students 550 yen, and pre-school children free. Groups of 15 or more receive a discount. The ticket also admits you to the adjoining Ryusen Shindo Science Museum.

The temperature inside stays at around 10 degrees Celsius all year. It is very cool even in summer, so we recommend bringing a light jacket or something to put on.

Ryusendo is designated a national natural monument together with the bats that live in it, including the Japanese particoloured bat, not just the cave itself.

Eight underground lakes have been confirmed in the cave, of which the first, second and third are open to visitors. The third and deepest, at 98 m, is among the clearest in the world and glows a striking dragon blue.

It is a science museum in a natural cave opposite the entrance to Ryusendo, with about 200 m open to visitors. Stalactites of many shapes are the highlight, and early Jomon period remains have been found here, with pottery and ornaments on display. The combined Ryusendo ticket admits you.

There is parking around Ryusendo. Please see the official website for capacity and charges.

About 2 hours 15 minutes from Morioka Station on a JR Bus Tohoku service (Ryusendo line), alighting at Ryusendo-mae. By car, about 110 minutes from Morioka via National Route 455, or about 150 minutes from Hanamaki Airport.

Kannari 1-1, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi Town, Shimohei District, Iwate Prefecture

Open all year round, though it may close temporarily when heavy rain raises the water level.

Parking is available. Please check the official information for details.

Adults 1,100 yen, elementary and junior high school students 550 yen, pre-school children free. Groups of 15 or more receive a discount.

May to September 8:30-18:00; October to April 8:30-17:00.