Menfudo Limestone Cave

Located in the Dorogawa district of Tenkawa Village, Nara Prefecture, known as a sky-high sanctuary, this limestone cave spreads across a highland at an altitude of 878 meters. Discovered in 1933 (Showa 8), it took five years to excavate. It's the largest in the Kansai region, where limestone caves are rare, and is designated as a natural monument by the prefecture.

For accessing the cave, it's recommended to take the monorail affectionately known as "Dorokko." After a 5-minute ride up the steep slope of coniferous forests, a panoramic view of the Dorogawa district's settlement and lush nature awaits.

The cave, with a total length of 280 meters, maintains a temperature of around 10°C throughout the year, making it cool in summer and warm in winter. The mystical underground space, naturally formed over a long period, is full of attractions. Stalactites hang from the ceiling, and stalagmites rise from the ground, with various spots named such as the Lion's Den, Gongen's Den, and the Ascetic's Den.

Particularly impressive are the "straw stalactites," where the stalactites extend long and thin like straws. This is notably seen in the latter half of the tour, in the Golden Thread and Silver Thread dens.