Fukuoka to Yamaguchi: Cave & Shrine Full-Day Tour

Japan's largest limestone cave tour, exploring kilometer-long lit passages with ancient stalactites and stalagmites

A full-day guided tour from Fukuoka to Yamaguchi Prefecture combining two major sites: Akiyoshido Cave, Japan's largest limestone cavern with over a kilometer of accessible passages, and Motonosumi Inari Shrine, famous for its 123 red torii gates perched on a cliffside above the Sea of Japan. The tour includes a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport, and visits to Tsunoshima Bridge. Duration is approximately 9 to 10 hours including travel time. A guide fluent in English, Japanese or Chinese leads the group. The itinerary may shift based on weather and road conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore cave, shrine, and scenic bridge

• Visit Mekari Dai 2 Parking Lot
• Explore Akiyoshido Cave
• Visit Motonosumi Inari Shrine
• See Tsunoshima Bridge

The experience

You start from Fukuoka and travel into Yamaguchi Prefecture with a professional guide who speaks English, Japanese or Chinese. The route takes you first to Akiyoshido Cave, one of Japan's largest limestone formations, where you walk through illuminated caverns with stalactites, stalagmites and rock formations that have accumulated over thousands of years. The cave stays cool year-round, and about a kilometer of the 10-kilometer system is open to visitors. After the cave, you continue to Motonosumi Inari Shrine, a clifftop shrine overlooking the Sea of Japan, where 123 red torii gates wind down the slope. The shrine is known for an unusual donation box positioned high on one of the gates: visitors try to toss coins into it for good luck.

The tour also includes a stop at Tsunoshima Bridge, a nearly 1.8-kilometer span across turquoise waters connecting the mainland to Tsunoshima Island. The bridge is a popular photography spot because of its design and the white sandy beaches visible from it. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day, and the total time, about 9 to 10 hours, includes all transportation. The itinerary can shift if weather or road conditions change, so the operator asks that you avoid scheduling other activities at the end of the day to prevent conflicts if the tour runs longer than expected.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces at the sites are accessible as well. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport. The route is suitable for all fitness levels because most of the day involves walking at a moderate pace through the cave and around the shrine grounds, with breaks built in.

What’s included

• Professional guide fluent in English, Japanese or Chinese.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport from Fukuoka.
• entry to Akiyoshido Cave with illuminated passages.
• visit to Motonosumi Inari Shrine with its 123 torii gates.
• stop at Tsunoshima Bridge.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to ThursdayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TREVOPEDIA

Is this one for you?The tour runs 9 to 10 hours with moderate walking at each site, so plan the day without other commitments afterward in case weather or road conditions shift the schedule.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Japanese and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Akiyoshido Cave like inside?

Akiyoshido Cave is Japan's largest limestone cave, with around one kilometer of passages open to visitors out of a total 10-kilometer system. Inside, you walk through illuminated caverns featuring stalactites, stalagmites and distinctive rock formations, all lit to create a mystical atmosphere. The cave air stays cool and fresh year-round.

What makes Motonosumi Inari Shrine special?

Motonosumi Inari Shrine sits on a cliffside overlooking the Sea of Japan and is famous for 123 red torii gates that wind down the slope. The shrine has an unusual donation box positioned high on one of the gates, and visitors traditionally try to toss coins into it for good luck. The combination of the gates, coastal views and traditional architecture draws both spiritual visitors and photographers.

How long is the full tour, and does that include travel time?

The tour runs approximately 9 to 10 hours total, and that duration includes all transportation from Fukuoka to the sites in Yamaguchi Prefecture and back. The itinerary may shift if weather or road conditions change.

Is the tour accessible for people using wheelchairs?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces at both Akiyoshido Cave and Motonosumi Inari Shrine are accessible, and the vehicle transport is also wheelchair accessible.