Nagasaki: Visitors flock to limestone caves to beat the relentless heat; Caves remain at a cool 15 C all year round

SAIKAI, Nagasaki – Even as the persistent summer heat causes temperatures outside to rise above 30 degrees Celsius, the temperature in the Nanatsugama Limestone Caves in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture remains around 15 degrees Celsius all year round.

In the 320 meter long caves, even in September, visitors could enjoy the natural coolness in the caves while looking at the fantastic rock surfaces.

The caves, which were surveyed in 1928 and designated a National Natural Treasure in 1936, are thought to have been formed by seafloor uplift about 30 million years ago.

Although the caves are smaller than the Akiyoshido Limestone Caves in Yamaguchi Prefecture, they are considered valuable from an academic perspective.

Admission is ¥200 for elementary school students, ¥400 for middle school students, and ¥800 for high school students and older.