🗺️ Hida Great Stalactite Cave (Ohashi Collection Museum)

Located between Hida Takayama and Oku Hida Onsen, the Hida Great Limestone Cave stretches approximately 800 meters and is one of Japan's premier limestone caves. It is also the highest tourist limestone cave in Japan. Inside the cave, which was naturally formed from a coral reef over 250 million years, there are delicate stalactites that are as white as jade. Among all limestone caves in Japan, it boasts the largest number of rare "irregular stalactites," which is one of the characteristics of the Hida Great Limestone Cave. The cave is illuminated with lights of different colors, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. On March 1, 2017, the Hida Great Limestone Cave was designated as a "Sacred Place for Lovers" representing Gifu Prefecture. Visitors can hang "Keys of Vows" and "Ema of Vows" as decorations inside the cave. Additionally, the character "Ryomen Sukuna" from the popular manga "Jujutsu Kaisen" resides in a cave called "Ryomen Sukuna Cave," which is also nearby, making it a recommended addition to your pilgrimage itinerary. The cave's cool environment is perfect for storing red wine, Japanese sake, and shochu, which are very popular local products. Furthermore, the "Ohashi Collection Museum," attached to the Hida Great Limestone Cave, showcases around 1,000 art pieces and decorative items collected by the late Mr. Yoshiyoshi Ohashi, the discoverer of the Hida Great Limestone Cave, making it a suggested place to visit as well.

At an altitude of 900 meters, this is the highest tourist limestone cave in Japan. The average annual temperature is around 12°C, offering the charm of warm winters and cool summers. From early January to early March, visitors can also enjoy the "Ice Valley," showcasing the characteristics of the cold winter. The attached Great Bridge Collection Museum displays approximately 1,000 pieces of art and decorative items from around the world. In the cave's low-temperature wine cellar, you can purchase rich wines that have been stored at low temperatures for a long time.