Okinawa｜The Dreamlike Gyokusendo Cave: A Mysterious World Formed Over 300,000 Years

Don't miss Gyokusendo Cave when visiting Okinawa! Located south of Naha, this fascinating attraction features a mysterious cave with stalactites formed over 300,000 years. The underground cave stretches about 5 kilometers and boasts over a million stalactites. Upon entry, visitors receive a free black-and-white photo printed on a newspaper-style souvenir, with the option to purchase the photo as well. Currently, only one-fifth of the cave is open to the public, but the journey through the underground passage is full of surprises. You'll first encounter the majestic stalagmites and stone pillars, followed by a section resembling human-like Buddha statues. As you venture deeper into the subterranean stream area, the dim lighting heightens your auditory senses, allowing you to fully appreciate the sound of flowing water. The final section features stunning light decorations, where the underground stream reflects blue light, and the stalactites are illuminated with orange or purple hues, creating a dreamlike and magical experience. The entire walking path is designed to be completed in about 1.5 hours, but if you take your time to snap photos and explore, it might take around an hour. This was actually my backup plan due to bad weather; I originally intended to visit the beach. I purchased tickets on Trip, which were instantly usable, and discovered that this destination is truly worth visiting, especially for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. 📍Address: 〒901-0616 Okinawa Prefecture, Nanjo City, Tamagusuku Maekawa 1336 🚗 By bus: Take Route 83 from the city center, approximately 50 minutes. By car: About 30 minutes.