Kameiwa Cave and Nomizo Waterfall
Cost
free
Attractions > Other Cities and Areas > Other Attractions > Chiba
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
Kameiwa Cave in Chiba Prefecture Japan
About
Kameiwa Cave and Nomizo Waterfall became in instant hit with Japanese in 2015 when a photographer posted a beautiful image of it on Instagram. Before that day, Kameiwa Cave and Nomizo Waterfall was a rarely visited destination usually visited by local Japanese in Chiba Prefecture. After the post on Instagram, people started saying, "It looks like the world strait out of a Studio Ghibli movie!" (The movie studio that has created such massive hits as Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro). After these remarks were posted and people thought, "Yeah, it does look like a place Totoro might live!"... tourism to Kameiwa BOOMED! During a "High Season" in the past the cave would draw 500 to 800 people over a holiday weekend but after it became an Instagram hit, Kameiwa Cave sees up to 5,000 people in one weekend. Kameiwa cave is NOT a natural cave, it is a man-man cave that was dug for irrigation purposes during the Edo Times (around 1660). I has been over 300 years since the cave was made so it has merged well with nature.
!! Reality !! It's not super difficult but it's not super easy getting to Kameiwa Cave and Nomizo Waterfall as it's about a 3 to 4 hour train or bus ride from Tokyo to Kazusa-Kameyama station plus a 20 min. by taxi ride to the location. So, before you go, know that the cave can look absolutely gorgeous OR like a brown hole in the mountain... all depending on the season (see the various pictures on this page). If a.) the weather (sunlight) cooperates, b.) you go at the specified exact time, c.) get there early enough to get a good position, d.) have a decent camera, e.) crop the image and adjust with photoshop... yes, you might be able to get a beautiful picture. However, just like anything (movie stars or especially Instagram models in real life), Kameiwa Cave does not have tons of "make-up" packed on or tons of special lighting all the time. Don't go in the winter! In the winter the leaves are gone, everything is brown and it's not worth your time. From about early April (cherry blossom time) the area starts to "green up". During and after rainy season (typically June) the area turns to a dark green jungle and it becomes stunningly beautiful but... take an umbrella and be prepared for rain. The fall season is also a beautiful time to visit when the area's leaves start to turn a variety of colors.
Getting the perfect picture
To get a picture like the famous ones you see on the net of Kameiwa Cave (where the light is shining through the cave), you'll have to be there at a certain time for that certain date. We contacted the official government of the area and they told us this, "From late March until early April and from late September to early October the sun will produce sunlight rays through the cave early in the morning from around 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m." So, your window for getting that perfect shot is pretty short and limited but most things good in life are like that. Since the cave has become popular, you can also expect many others wanting to get that perfect shot so you may want to plan on getting there.... very... early.
Getting there
Getting to Kameiwa Cave and Nomizo Waterfall is not easy. If you want to go there, you should plan on using a full day. While in Chiba, it's also possible to make a stop at another attraction in Chiba like Chiba Castle or Mt. Nokogiri as another stop during the day. Although Kameiwa Cave is not so far "As the Crow Flies" (Direct through the air only about 60 kilometers), riding the train with a couple "bad timing" transfers can make the one way journey 3 or 4 hours... better start early. Furthermore, if you want the "Perfect Shot" you see in pictures, you will have to stay at a Hotel/Ryokan/Pension the night before. There are some nearby Hotels & Hot Springs resorts nearby if you do decide to stay the night.
Access
Closest Train Station: Kazusa-Kameyama
Sasa
Kimitsu-shi, Chiba 292-0526 Japan
From Tokyo Station you can ride two different lines out to Chiba, either the Sobu Line (Rapid) or the Keiyo Line (Rapid). We recommend riding the Sobu Line (Rapid) and taking one of the direct trains to Kisarazu (see links below). When you arrive at Kisarazu you transfer to the Kururi Line and ride to Kazusa-Kameyama. Once you get to Kazusa-Kameyama it's about a 7 kilometer walk or a 15 min. taxi ride to the parking lot.
Sobu Line (Rapid) Timetable Links
- Going: Sobu Line (Rapid) bound for Chiba (and direct to Kisarazu) from Tokyo Station: Weekday | Weekend Look for a time that has this character under it "君". This means it is a direct train to Kimitsu which will stop in Kisarazu (where you have to change to the Kururi Line). There is only one per hour so plan accordingly.
- Returning: Sobu Line (Rapid) bound for Chiba (and direct to Tokyo Station) from Kisarazu: Weekday | Weekend Look for a time that has this character under it "東". This means it is a direct train to Tokyo. Unfortunately there are very few of these and most likely you will have to change in Chiba or Soga.
Kururi Line Timetable Links
- Going: Kururi Line bound for Kazusa-Kameyama from Kisarazu: for Weekday | Weekend
- Returning: Kururi Line bound for Kisarazu from Kazusa-Kameyama: Weekday | Weekend
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Kameiwa Cave and Nomizo Waterfall.
Hours & Fees
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: No closing days
Cost: Free
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
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