The Crystal Caves of Yamanashi

Posted on 03/17/2023 Last updated on 01/11/2024

One of the most amazing wonders of nature is the ice cave. Incredible to look at and even better to explore, they are must-visits for spelunkers and other cave enthusiasts. But what exactly are they? Well, for one thing, they’re not made of ice! Rather, they are made by volcanic movements. Yes, they are regular ‘ol caves, but it is from their usage where they get the name. More on that in a moment.

The Narusawa Ice Cave in Yamanashi is a very popular and easily-accessible ice cave that is actually a lava tube. Absolutely beautiful and totally worth a visit, it’s about a 2 hour drive by car from Tokyo. It is located in the heart of Aokigahara Forest at the baseof Mt. Fuji.

Around 1,200 years ago, a large eruption from Fuji resulted in the formation of countless lava tubes across the surrounding areas. Narusawa is among them, and is one of the three largest tubes near the northern foot of Mt. Fuji (the other two being Fugaku Wind Cave and Lake Sai Bat Cave).

As the name implies, the Ice Cave was originally used as a location for storing ice during the early 1900’s, before the advent of refrigerators. Locals used Narusawa Ice Cave and the nearby Wind Cave as natural refrigerators. They carried blocks of ice cut from the lakes in the winter down into the caves. Seeds and other perishable items were stored in the caves along with the ice to keep them fresh. The caves’ unique structure allowed ice and other items to remain cool for long periods.

Photo by shigekun

Today the paths of the cave are still lined with natural ice formations, even in the heat of the Japanese summer. The 150-meter circular route descends 21 meters, beneath low ceilings and down very slippery steps. Mind your head as you squeeze through the lava tunnels, and keep hold of the handrails when climbing the stairs.

The spring has becoome an increasingly popular time to visit Narusawa Ice Cave, particularly as rising visitor numbers in summer have cause many to visit earlier in the year. Summer remains popular though, as after all- what better way to beat the heat than with a giant underground fridge?

And now that you too know about the Ice Cave of Yamanashi, be sure to visit- it is a truly unique experience!

Photo Credits:

Top photo: riomiwa on PhotoAC

Additional photo by shigekun