Access notice!
Following advice from Nippara tourist information: This summer, many tourists visit Nippara limestone cave by car. The section of the Nippara Highway beyond the Osawa district is narrow, with numerous points where it is difficult for vehicles to pass each other, resulting in traffic congestion at various locations. What would normally take 20 to 30 minutes to reach is now taking between one and two hours. In addition, the car park is extremely busy, and waiting to park can take around two to three hours.
If the situation is really bad, there may be restrictions on private cars, and only buses, taxis and bicycles may be allowed to pass.
Cycling to Nippara limestone cave by e-bike can avoid this congestion.
When it is busy, travelling to Nippara by bus takes a long time. Also, on weekends and public holidays, the buses stop at Higashi-Nippara bus stop. Which is about 30 minutes on foot to Nippara limestone cave…
From Okutama Station to Higashi Nippara takes about 30 minutes by bus or longer if busy. This is the same as the time it takes to cycle from our shop to the Nippara limestone caves. And it’s an exhilarating downhill ride on the way back! It only takes about 30 minutes to cycle back!
Escape the summer heat and cool down in the year round 11˚C (52˚F) Nippara limestone cave, a very popular destination among the courses we offer at Trekkling.
Nippara limestone cave is said to be one of the largest limestone caves in the Kanto region, located in Nippara, north Okutama. The large cavern that spreads out inside the cave is one of the most impressive. With an average annual temperature of 11°C, this is probably the coldest place in Tokyo this summer.
It takes about 40 minutes to see inside.
Distance – 22 km round trip (Trekkling > Nippara limestone cave > Trekkling)
Difference in altitude: approx. 300 m (330 m above sea level at Trekking, 630 m above sea level at Nippara limestone caves).
Time: around 3 hours (+ 1 hour if you want to hike to the Kurasawa cypress tree).
Recommended bike: E-Bikes – Panasonic Hurrier, L3, Velo-star mini or Glitter.
(Or if you are feeling energetic, choose a hybrid bike or road bike)
