Makido Cave
Explore a 450m limestone cave with a lake, featuring vibrant lighting and dramatic stalactites and stalagmites.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds
Makido Cave
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore a 450m limestone cave with a lake, featuring vibrant lighting and dramatic stalactites and stalagmites.
"It's so beautiful inside with the colorful lights. You can take a photo anywhere, it's all beautiful!"
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Essential for navigating narrow, steep, and low-ceilinged passages. You'll be crouching a lot!
💳 Cashless Payment Only
Ticket machines accept ICOCA and other cashless options. Bring your card!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Illuminated Limestone Formations
Main Cave Walkway
Marvel at stunning stalactites and stalagmites, beautifully lit in vibrant colors, creating a surreal underground landscape.
Underground Lake
Back of the Cave
Discover a serene underground lake, adding a tranquil element to the cave's dramatic geological features.
Art Installations (Seasonal)
Various Sections
Experience unique art installations, like those from the Forest Art Festival, transforming the cave into a temporary gallery.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds & Heat
Cashless Payments & Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Essential for navigating narrow, steep, and low-ceilinged passages. You'll be crouching a lot!
💳 Cashless Payment Only
Ticket machines accept ICOCA and other cashless options. Bring your card!
📸 Photo Opportunities Galore
The colorful lighting makes every spot photogenic. Take your time to capture the beauty.
🚗 Remote Location
It's a drive to get here. Consider visiting if you're already in the area.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Essential for navigating narrow, steep, and low-ceilinged passages. You'll be crouching a lot!
💳 Cashless Payment Only
Ticket machines accept ICOCA and other cashless options. Bring your card!
📸 Photo Opportunities Galore
The colorful lighting makes every spot photogenic. Take your time to capture the beauty.
🚗 Remote Location
It's a drive to get here. Consider visiting if you're already in the area.
🚇 Bus from Niimi/Ikura
Public transport is available from Niimi and Ikura stations. Check bus schedules!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Makido Cave for its stunning, colorful illuminated formations and the unique underground lake. It's a refreshing escape from summer heat and offers excellent photo opportunities. However, some find the cave's remote location and the need to crouch in narrow passages inconvenient.
"I went here in summer time, and it was cool inside- I even felt cold! So it’s a very good place to escape the summer heat. It's so beautiful inside with the colorful lights. You can take a photo anywhere, it’s all beautiful! Since it can get narrow and some parts are steep, it’s best to wear comfortable walking shoes. Also some parts are low, and you have to go through with your body crouched, so be careful."
yu
"Nice big caves but need a lot of crouching to get through. From the car park to the cave entrance there is short steep hill where you buy your ticket from the machine. Only cashless payment accepted was ICOCA.
It takes about 20 mins to get through the whole cave."
Pachi Kooki
"Right it’s 1000 yen to get in. Is it worth it ? Yes it was as it’s pretty massive inside and our walk inside including plenty of stops for pictures took us well over an hour.
Nicely lit inside with spoken guides it’s pretty interesting.
Only thing is it’s situated really in the middle of nowhere and it’s some drive to get here. We were driving past and this was not that far off our track so gave it a shot.
If you’re near this place it’s a worthwhile stop."
ken cheung
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Makido Cave is located in a remote area. You can drive there, or take a bus from Niimi Station or Ikura Station. Bus schedules are available and can be checked using Google Maps.
Yes, there is a parking lot available for visitors. It can accommodate around 100 cars.
Yes, public transportation is an option. Buses run from Niimi and Ikura stations, with a bus stop conveniently located in front of the train station.
The travel time by bus from Niimi Station to Makido Cave can vary, but it's advisable to check the specific bus schedule for accurate timing.
While accessible by public transport, the cave is situated in the middle of nowhere, making it a significant drive for many.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission to Makido Cave is 1000 yen.
Makido Cave is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entry at 4:30 PM.
Tickets can be purchased from a machine at the cave entrance. It's recommended to check if advance booking is necessary, especially during peak seasons or special events.
The ticket machines primarily accept cashless payments, such as ICOCA.
Information on discounts is not readily available, but it's always worth inquiring at the ticket counter or checking their official website if available.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Exploring the entire cave, including stops for photos, can take well over an hour. The walk through the cave itself is about 20 minutes.
Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended due to the uneven terrain, narrow passages, and the need to crouch.
The cave is nicely lit and features spoken guides, making the exploration informative and engaging.
The cave has narrow and steep sections, and requires crouching. It may not be suitable for individuals with significant mobility challenges.
Yes, photography is allowed and encouraged as the cave is beautiful with colorful lighting.
📸 📸 Photography
The entire cave offers stunning photo opportunities due to the colorful lighting and unique formations. The underground lake area is particularly picturesque.
While not explicitly stated, it's generally advisable to use natural light or indirect flash to protect the cave formations and avoid disturbing other visitors.
A camera with good low-light performance and a wide-angle lens would be beneficial to capture the expansive formations and colorful lighting.
No specific restrictions are mentioned, but always be mindful of other visitors and avoid obstructing pathways.
Tripods might be difficult to maneuver in the narrow passages. Consider a monopod or a camera with good image stabilization for handheld shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider the travel time to reach the cave, as it's located remotely. Public transport options are available, but driving might offer more flexibility for families. The ticket purchase is cashless, so have your payment card ready. While the cave is an adventure, it's best suited for families with children who can manage moderate physical activity and are not claustrophobic.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
The artificial lighting is designed to highlight the natural beauty, creating a surreal and almost otherworldly atmosphere. While tripods might be cumbersome in the narrow passages, a camera with good low-light capabilities and image stabilization will be beneficial. Be mindful of the lighting conditions, as they can create dramatic contrasts. The cave's beauty is enhanced by seasonal art installations, offering unique photographic subjects that blend art and nature.
Remember to be respectful of the environment and other visitors while capturing your shots. 🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
Pack your own snacks and water, as dining options directly at the cave might be limited. The emphasis on cashless payment means you won't need to worry about carrying large amounts of cash, but ensure your payment card is functional. For budget travelers, visiting Makido Cave can be a worthwhile addition to a trip if it aligns with your itinerary, offering a memorable natural wonder without an exorbitant price tag.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Geological Marvel: The Formation of Makido Cave
The cave is characterized by its stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (rising from the floor), which grow incredibly slowly, often only a few millimeters per century. These formations, along with other speleothems, contribute to the cave's unique museum-like quality. The presence of an underground lake at the back of the cave adds another layer of natural beauty and mystery to the subterranean landscape.
Designated as a Natural Monument of Okayama Prefecture, Makido Cave is not just a geological site but also a place where art and nature intersect. During events like the Forest Art Festival, the cave transforms into a canvas for artists, with installations that complement and enhance the natural environment, offering a truly unique visitor experience.
+1Navigating Makido Cave: Practicalities and Comfort
Payment for entry is primarily through cashless methods, with machines accepting cards like ICOCA. It's essential to have these payment options ready before arriving at the ticket machine. The cave's remote location means planning your transportation in advance is crucial, whether by car or by utilizing the bus services available from nearby stations like Niimi or Ikura.
While the cave is well-lit and features spoken guides, the lighting can sometimes make it difficult to spot low-hanging ceilings or uneven ground, so vigilance is advised to avoid injury. The overall experience is often described as beautiful and worth the visit, especially for photography enthusiasts who can capture the vibrant, colorful displays.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit