The fascinating limestone cave "Maki-do Cave" is a filming location, a sanctuary for lovers, and the venue for the Forest Art Festival! (Niimi City)

• Table of Contents
• What is Maki-do Cave?
• The origin of the name "Maki-do Cave"
• It has been chosen as a filming location for the movie "Yatsuhakamura" four times.
• It is also known as a sacred place for lovers.
• Ripples spreading across the underground lake
• Stalactites formed over a long period of time
• watch your head!
• The The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama will be hosting an exhibition of works by Mika Ninagawa with EiM!
• Opening hours, closed days, and admission fees
• Access and parking information
• Mr. Matsui, who told us about Maki-do Cave
• Stalactites that shine like jewels
• Conclusion

What is Maki-do Cave?

Maki-do Cave Cave is a 450m long limestone cave located in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, and can be explored in about 30 minutes. Beautifully illuminated stalactites and a fantastic water surface inside the cave make it a popular photo spot. The temperature remains at around 15°C throughout the year, making it a comfortable space that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. On the day of our visit, the temperature exceeded 30°C, but cool air from inside the cave was flowing into the plaza near the entrance, making the cave even more comfortable.

The origin of the name "Maki-do Cave"

The name "Maki-do Cave" comes from the poet Yosano Akiko. When Yosano Tekkan and his wife Akiko visited the cave in 1929 (Showa 4), they praised it as "a cave full of wonders," so it was given its name. Near the entrance to the cave, there is a monument with a poem about Maki-do Cave.

It has been chosen as a filming location for the movie "Yatsuhakamura" four times.

"Maki-do Cave" has been used as a location for the TV drama and movie "The Village of the Eight Graves" a total of four times. It is said that the selection was related to the fact that the author, Yokomizo Seishi, evacuated to Okayama. On the display panel of Kindaichi Kosuke, Niimi City's mascot character "Nimin" is adorable.

It is also known as a sacred place for lovers.

"Maki-do Cave" is also famous as a sacred place for lovers. Inside the cave is the "Lovers' Fountain," which in some places looks heart-shaped. This spring is said to grant wishes, and is known as a power spot for love and matchmaking.

Highlight 1: The colorful "fountain"

Now, let's introduce the highlights of Maki-do Cave. The inside of the cave is lit up with colorful LEDs, making it beautiful and fantastical. This is a place called "Suisen (spring water)." The colorful and mysterious scenery makes it seem like another world. It is also a popular photo spot.

Highlight 2: The terraced rice fields of Senmaida

This is a place called "Senmaida." The landscape looks like rice terraces filled with water. Apparently, this shape was created when the water solidified upon contact with the surrounding air. Interestingly, the water level inside Maki-do Cave fluctuates, and depending on the season, it is flooded or completely dry.

Highlight 3: Ryugu Bridge over Lake Inner Cave

The Ryugu Bridge spans the lake at the very back of the cave. This is exactly what Ryugu Castle looks like. The Japanese-style red bridge is especially popular with foreign tourists. The LED lighting changes color depending on the time of day, allowing you to enjoy a variety of different atmospheres.

Highlight #4: Heart-shaped and Lover's Fountain

If you go further from Ryugu Bridge, you will see a heart-shaped silhouette. It is a view worthy of being called a "Lovers' Sanctuary," and behind it lies the "Lovers' Fountain."

Ripples spreading across the underground lake

The water in the underground lake is highly filtered, making it extremely clear. The patter-patter of falling water creates ripples on the calm water's surface. The way the rings spread out at irregular intervals is a sight you'll never tire of.

Stalactites formed over a long period of time

Water drips here and there inside the cave (sometimes it falls on your neck or head, giving you a chill). This water contains calcium, and where it falls it grows like icicles. It takes 100 years for it to grow 1cm, making you feel the mind-boggling eternity of time. There are many long icicle-like stalactites inside the cave. Sediments called stalagmites form beneath the icicles, and when they connect above and below, they form stone pillars.

watch your head!

There are several places in the cave where you have to crouch down to proceed. It feels like you're exploring, but you need to be careful not to hit your head.

The The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama will be hosting an exhibition of works by Mika Ninagawa with EiM!

In autumn 2024, the international art festival "The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama" will be held in northern Okayama Prefecture. "Maki-do Cave" will be the venue for the exhibition of works by Mika Ninagawa with EiM. When I visited, the place was blue and green, but it will be transformed into a deep red world with about 1,000 artificial red spider lilies. It will be a beautiful space that seems like it is not of this world. I am very much looking forward to it.

Opening hours, closed days, and admission fees

There are no regular closing days, but in 2024 there will be temporary closures in preparation for the "The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama." During the "Forest Art Festival: Sunny Country, Okayama" period, high school students and younger will be admitted free of charge.

Business hours: 8:30-17:00 (entrance until 16:30)

Closed: None

*Temporarily closed from Tuesday, September 24th to Friday, September 27th, 2024. Admission fees: Adults (high school students and above) 1,000 yen, junior high school students 800 yen, children 500 yen, free for children under elementary school age

※"The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama" during the period Maki-do Cave single museum admission ticket

Admission fee: Adults (university students and above) 1,000 yen, high school students and below free

Makido Cave

719-2721 2276-2 Akauma, Toyonaga, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

A 450m-long limestone cave designated as a natural monument by the prefecture. In 1929, the poets Yosano Tekkan and Akiko praised it as a "c...

Access and parking information

Parking lot No. 1 can accommodate about 20 cars, but it tends to be full on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. If it is full, parking lots No. 2 and No. 3 are located a short distance away. The road to parking lot No. 1 is very narrow, so if you have a wide car, we recommend using parking lots No. 2 or No. 3. To get to the entrance to Maki-do Cave, it is about a 5-minute walk from parking lot No. 1 up a steep hill (I was quite out of breath).

Mr. Matsui, who told us about Maki-do Cave

This time, Matsui Masaki told us more about Maki-do Cave. He said, "The temperature in Maki-do Cave is around 15 degrees all year round, so please come not only in summer but also in autumn and winter. In autumn, the leaves are beautiful and in winter, it is warm, so it is recommended. In addition, in winter, the humidity drops, so the surfaces of the stalactites sparkle and shine beautifully. Please enjoy the fantastical Maki-do Cave."

Stalactites that shine like jewels

If you look closely, you can see that the surface of the stalactites sparkles like this. This is apparently crystallized calcium. This sparkle is said to be even more beautiful in the winter.

Conclusion

"Maki-do Cave" is a limestone cavern with many attractions, including the location for the filming of "The Village of the Eight Graves," a place associated with Akiko Yosano, a sacred place for lovers, and a photogenic spot. In addition, you can enjoy a special view that can only be seen at this time of year at the soon-to-be-started "The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama." Please enjoy art in a comfortable natural space.