Ryusendo Cave | Review by 黃國棟

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Ryusendo Cave

A designated national natural monument and one of the three largest limestone caves in Japan.

30 Sep 2026 See More

Located at the foot of Mt. Ureira, Ryusendo Cave is one of Japan's three largest limestone caves. Its currently known total length is about 4,088 meters, of which around 700 meters are open to visitors.

The first time I stepped inside, I was truly amazed! Along the way, you can see stalactites in all kinds of shapes, and the lighting around the underground lakes gives the entire cave a mysterious, dreamlike atmosphere. It was so beautiful that I couldn't stop taking pictures. Water drips down from time to time along the route, but the overall visitor environment is very well maintained. Some areas have protective covers, and the floors have also been treated to prevent slipping, which makes walking around feel much safer.

The most impressive features are the underground lakes inside the cave. Under the lights, the crystal-clear water takes on captivating colors, blending with the naturally formed stalactites all around it. It's so beautiful it almost doesn't look real. And the temperature inside the cave is only about 7°C!

In summer, this place is basically a natural air-conditioned room. If it's hot and humid outside, the instant coolness when you enter makes you not want to leave. There's more to see here than just stalactites—the underground lakes, rock walls, and unusual landforms along the way are all well worth seeing.

Other Reviews by 黃國棟

Tsurugajo Castle

The castle is a cherry blossom viewing spot and the symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu City. Its official name is Wakamatsu Castle, and it is also sometimes called Aizu Castle or Aizu Wakamatsu Castle. The castle tower, the only one in Japan covered with red tiles, preserves the beautiful appearance of the castle in the feudal era.
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When visiting Fukushima, don't miss Tsurugajo Castle, a place full of history. It is listed as one of the “100 Fine Castles of Japan” and is also one of Fukushima's best-known castles. Its white walls and red-tiled roofs look especially elegant beneath the blue sky. Even seeing it from a distance makes you want to stop and admire it.

Although the current castle tower was reconstructed, the old stone walls and appearance of the castle grounds have been preserved. As you walk around, you can still feel the strong historical atmosphere.

What surprised me most was that the museum isn't just a place to look at exhibits. It also uses interactive multimedia displays, including video, lighting, and sound, to introduce the history of Tsurugajo Castle. This makes the visit lively and interesting, so it doesn't feel boring at all.
Morioka Zoological Park ZOOMO

Opened in April 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Morioka becoming a city. In April 2023, the zoo reopened as "ZOOMO" after a full-scale renewal.
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When visiting Morioka, besides enjoying the mountains, forests, and lakes, I also highly recommend a trip to Morioka Zoological Park ZOOMO! Its biggest appeal is that the animals live in environments close to nature, where you can see them moving around freely.

It's about a 40-minute drive from Morioka Station. The park is very large, and the animals have plenty of room to move around. It doesn't feel crowded like a city zoo; instead, it has a more relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.

This time, I quickly followed the route around the park and finished in about 1 hour. If you want to take your time and carefully observe each kind of animal, I recommend allowing another 30–45 minutes for a more relaxed visit.

The biggest surprise was a cougar cub born in June this year. You can see it moving around and playing with its mother. It's so tiny and incredibly cute. This was also the area with the largest crowd that day, and no one wanted to leave.

Although I visited on a Saturday, the park was surprisingly not very crowded. This may be because it's some distance from central Morioka, but that actually makes it easier to comfortably enjoy your time with the animals.

If you're taking the bus, be especially careful! Buses don't run very frequently, so I recommend checking the outbound and return times in advance and planning how long you'll stay so you don't miss the bus back.
Motsuji Temple

Motsuji Temple, designated by the government as both a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, houses the foundation stones and other remains of many Buddhist buildings from the Heian period (794-1192).
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Upon arriving at Motsuji Temple, the first thing that catches your eye is its peaceful, beautiful garden. Compared with the traditional image of a temple, this place feels more like a Japanese garden built around a pond, showcasing the Pure Land aesthetic of the Heian period throughout.

Strolling slowly along the pond, you can admire the garden from different angles. The water, green trees, and historic temple complement one another, offering a different view with every turn.

The weather was lovely during this visit, and the sunlight streaming into the garden made Motsuji Temple feel even more serene and enchanting. With little noise around, I simply walked slowly, took in the scenery, and experienced the distinctive tranquility and elegance of an ancient Japanese temple.