The Reigando Cave, in Japanese simply Reigando 霊巌洞, is a mysterious and sacred cave located on the Western slopes of Mt. Kinpo the 200,000 year old extinct volcanic peak that is the backdrop to Kumamoto City. Famed as the cave where the great philosopher swordsman Musashi Miyamoto spent his last years in meditatation and created his famous martial arts treatise titled Go Rin No Sho – The Book of Five Rings. (Find out more about Musashi in our historical figures section.) The cave is situated behind the Zen buddhist temple of Unganzenji. You don’t have to have an interest in martial arts to enjoy a visit to this area, the natural forest setting, special atmosphere of the cave and the fascinating carvings of the 500 disciples of buddha are sure to leave an unforgettable impression.
Explore Kumamoto can add a trip to Reigando and Unganzenji as part of your custom made Kumamoto tour, just contact us with your request.
Unganzenji is an ancient buddhist temple dating back to 1351 when the Chinese High Monk Toryou Eiyo made the Reigando (meaning spirit rock cave) a place of worship. Valued as a place for meditation, the cave has attracted monks, poets and warriors over the centuries. The temple is a short walk down hill from the car park and around 20 minutes from the nearest bus stop. At the entrance to the temple you will see some copies of relics and art attributed to Miyamoto Musashi. On your right there is a large stone drinking fountain. The path is part natural rock and part manmade, it can be slippery but there are hand rails. The path winds past a steep rocky hillside which is dotted with the peaceful forms of 500 enlightened followers of Buddha. These were created by a rich merchant in 1779, taking over a quarter of a century, each statue is unique, some almost lifelike, some comical, sadly many are headless due to earthquake damage. It is said that if you examine each one closely you are sure to find a face you recognise.
At the end of the path you come to some larger stone monuments and the elevated cave entrance in the wall of the cliff. In past times the cave would have been accessed by rope ladder or climbing the rock face nowadays it is a little easier with a short but steep stone staircase. The cave mouth forms a huge window looking out on to the forest. In the centre of the cave is the large meditation stone, a huge boulder of volcanic tuff. At the rear of the cave the four faced goddess Iwato Kanon is enshrined. The statue is said to have mysteriously washed up at the cave 1000 years ago after the ship that was carrying it sunk.
There is a small restaurant and English antiques shop in a lovely old farmhouse near the entrance to Unganzenji temple called Kokopelli, which makes a great place to have a relaxing lunch or enjoy a slice of homemade cake while enjoying the beautiful countryside views.
Temple and Cave Entrance fee: Adults 200 Yen Children (Age 6 – 15) 100 Yen
Opening Hours: 08:00 to 17:00
Free Carpark with toilet
Access is not wheel chair or push chair friendly.
Getting there:
By taxi
Traveling from the city center expect to pay approx 3,500 Yen for the 30 minute drive to Reigandou Cave or book a sightseeing taxi for a few hours. Kumamoto taxi ( Tel. 0120012086) offer this service.
By bus
Take the 新6 bus from Stand 4 of the Kumamoto Kotsu Center (the name of the city bus terminal). Get off at Iwato Kannon Iriguchi, it costs 550 Yen one way ( pay in cash when you leave the bus) then walk up the hill for 15 to 20 minutes on a winding road that leads you through mekan orange orchards, when you see a large and unflattering statue of Musashi seated in meditation in a car park – you are nearly there.
Buses depart from Kumamoto Kotsu Center to Iwato Kannon Iriguchi at:
07:55, 10:30, 13:10, 14:20, 16:20, 18:20
Buses depart from Iwato Kannon Iriguchi back to Kumamoto City at:
07:01, 09:16, 11:41, 14:21, 15:21, 17:36
Link: Read an interesting article from the Japan Times of one person’s experience of his visit to Reigando here.
If you are interested in visiting Reigandou, why not take a Samurai Swords Tour with Explore Kumamoto, which includes a visit to the cave plus the unique chance to visit a master swordsmith and try our a Samurai sword for yourself. Contact Explore Kumamoto now for more details.
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