Narusawa Ice Cave
Narusawa Ice Cave (鳴沢氷穴) is a lava cave that was formed during the 9th century following the massive Jogan eruption of Mount Fuji. It was designated as a natural monument in 1929 by the Ministry of Education and is today a notable tourist attraction in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The cave is part of a series of lava tubes created as the surface of the lava flow cooled and hardened while the molten interior continued to drain away, leaving behind a subterranean hollow.
The ice cave is 150 meters long with a circular route that maintains an average temperature of approximately 3°C year-round. It is best known for the impressive icicles formed by water dripping from the ceiling and freezing on the cave floor. Historically, during the Edo and Meiji periods, the cave served as a natural refrigerator used to store ice and silk cocoons for the local community. These ice blocks were often transported to the capital as a luxury item during the summer months.
Visitors are required to wear hard hats during their tour of the cave—a route that can be completed in under 10 minutes. This is due to the low ceilings—dropping as low as 1 meter in places—and the consistently slippery path. Caution is definitely advised as you navigate the steep steps down towards the lower chamber. Please note that the Fugaku Wind Cave is also located a short walk away through a scenic section of the Aokigahara Forest, and the two sites are frequently visited as a pair.
| Visitor Information | |
|---|---|
| Address | 8533 Narusawa, Narusawa-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi 401-0320 (Google Maps) |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Varies by season; check website for latest updates) Open year-round (except for maintenance) |
| Price | Adults: ¥350 / Children: ¥200 |
| Website | Visit Website |
| Access | ||
|---|---|---|
| Station / Stop | Line / Bus | Access Details |
| Kawaguchiko Station | Blue Line (Sightseeing Bus) | Take the Narusawa/Shojiko/Motosuko bus to the Narusawa Hyoketsu stop (approx. 25 mins) |
| Fugaku Wind Cave | Walk | A 15-minute walk through the forest trail connects the Ice Cave to the Wind Cave |