Hida Great Limestone Cave — Attraction in Takayama

Fascinating limestone cave system set in an idyllic area. There are food and souvenir shops around. Conveniently there was also a free shuttle bus to the Center from the bus stop at the bottom of the mountain. You can purchase a return bus and entry ticket from the Takayama Bus Station, which saves you about 200 yen overall. Total I spent was 2570 yen. I think it’s a good price for a short day trip. I only spent about 1.5hrs here as there was no English explanation/signage for anything, but if you can read Japanese and are hungry you could definitely stay for 3. They don’t advertise it but there is a beautiful exhibition of artefacts before you go into the cave, and honestly, this exhibition was more interesting than some museums I’ve been to. And the fact entry is included is amazing. I think they should definitely advertise this as it may increase people coming. I went at midday on an Autumn Saturday and almost always had my section of cave to myself. This is not suitable for non-able bodied people, and people of larger builds as it can get quite tight in some sections of cave. Overall if you want something to do on a cloudy/rainy day, why not...

The Hida Great Limestone Cave is an absolute marvel! The preserved natural formations of stalagmites and stalactites are breathtaking and truly one of a kind. Each step deeper into the cave reveals more stunning wonders, showcasing the beauty of nature. The climb up to level 3 was challenging but added to the adventure—it made the experience feel more immersive and rewarding.

The staff were incredibly kind and helpful throughout the visit, and the free transport service from the bus stop to the attraction and back was a thoughtful and convenient touch.

After the cave, I enjoyed a delicious meal just outside the attraction. The restaurant with food models displayed in the glass case was a perfect stop, and the woman working there was so kind and welcoming, making the experience even more special. Highly recommend this...

Visited in November. Interesting walk starting with a small museum and then you enter into the caves and walk all the way up to the top. The routes are well signposted and there are railings along the way for you to support yourself with some intermediate exit points if you don't feel like going all the way up. There's a cute Shinto shrine at the top with a bell you can ring to reward you for your troubles. The journey back down is in a sheltered walkway outside the cave and there were some beautiful views here (interestingly I only took pictures outside the cave!). It was not the most exciting activity but an interesting and different sight to explore a different environment. There are also some shops by the car park selling food and drink...