Over a million stalactites hang overhead — Address of Okinawa’s Gyokusendo Cave, not for those with trypophobia

▲ The open space and varied formations of Toyo no Ido Cave. (Photo by reporter Chen Ruizhong, same below)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Okinawa report

The blue skies, ocean waters, and sunshine of Okinawa have always been draws for travelers. But hidden within Okinawa’s caves lies a massive treasure trove“Gyokusendo”, which boasts a rich collection of stone pillars, stalagmites, and stalactites, totaling over one million in all. Walking among these natural wonders, one can’t help but exclaim, “This is truly a marvel of nature!”

▲ The round-shaped “Dragon’s Bell” emits a soft glow.

Regarded as a major spectacle by locals, Gyokusendo stretches about 5 kilometers in total, with around 890 meters currently open to visitors. Compared to typical mountain caves, Gyokusendo is located within the Okinawa World theme park, so not only is the surrounding area well-equipped with restaurants and souvenir shops, but the environment is also meticulously maintained. Even those who rarely venture outdoors can feel at ease visiting.

See more photos of Gyokusendo’s stalactites＜＜＜＜＜Click here

▲ Inside Gyokusendo, oddly shaped stalactites and stalagmites are everywhere.

Upon entering Gyokusendo, you’ll quickly feel the cool air rising from the earth. Compared to other stalactite caves in China and Southeast Asia, Gyokusendo uses fewer bright, blinking neon lights, relying instead on simple illumination — which adds to its solemn and mysterious atmosphere.

▲ In the Shotendō, the ceiling is densely packed with stalactites.

The first thing that catches your eye is the space known as “Toyo no Ido,” which means “Cave of the East.” This area features an open layout with varying elevations, where both the stalactites above and the stalagmites below are uniquely shaped, each with its own character. As such, they’ve earned poetic nicknames like “Husband and Wife Rock” and “Beautiful Peak,” sparking the imagination. Among them, a silvery-white glowing stone pillar called “Dragon’s Bell” is smooth, round, and elegantly curved — hailed as the most beautiful pillar in the entire cave.

▲ Gyokusendo Cave.

“If the first sight is the most beautiful pillar in the cave, won’t the rest of the journey be boring?” Travelers who think this would be very wrong. Continuing deeper into Toyo no Ido leads to the “Shotendō.” Here, the ceiling is densely covered with countless stalactites, resembling a forest of spears poised to stab downward — a powerful visual impact. But for those with trypophobia, it might just be best to keep your head down and move quickly through.

See more photos of Gyokusendo’s stalactites＜＜＜＜＜Click here

▲ The Blue Spring glows blue under the lights.

As you continue along, besides continually admiring various precious stalactite formations, you can also see deer bone fossils buried deep underground, as well as underground rivers winding through the cave. One underground lake is so still it reflects a faint blue light, known as the “Blue Spring.” There’s also a massive 2.5-meter-tall, 31-meter-circumference stalactite called the “Golden Cup,” the largest of its kind in Japan. Under the lighting, it displays even more grandeur and majesty.

▲ The Golden Cup, with a circumference of 31 meters, is the largest stalactite in Japan.

Within the nearly 900-meter cave, some passages require cutting off overhead stalactites to pass through, showing just how densely packed the stalactites in Gyokusendo are. But precisely because of this, visitors can experience the surreal feeling of walking through the midst of these stone pillars and stalagmites. If you listen quietly, you can even hear the dripping of water droplets. Surrounded by these formations, you can truly appreciate how each stalactite grows at the rate of just 1 centimeter every 30 years.

Gyokusendo and Okinawa World Culture Kingdom
Address: 1336 Ue River, Tamagusuku, Nanjo City, Okinawa
Admission: Adults 1,240 yen, Children 620 yen
Business hours: 09:00–18:00