If you follow a narrow path bordered with small statues and stone lanterns through the trees up the hillside, you will find a cool, mossy cave with a tiny waterfall and many small statues.
After losing a battle against the Heike clan, Genji general Yoritomo Minamoto fled and hid in this cave in Yugawara. When pursuers came to search the cave, a bird flew out, and the pursuers assumed the cave was empty, so they didn't search it after all. After this close call Minamoto went in to found the Kamakura Shogunate.
I do love a place with a story! This story took place in 1180, which is about 840 years ago. This interesting place is completely un-touristy. There are no souvenir shops or English signs. There is just the path, the cave, the waterfall and the statues. It all has a half-forgotten feeling to it, which for me is a large part of its charm.
The climb only takes about 20 minutes from the car park which is on the far side of the tunnel.
Getting there
Take the bus for Moto-Hakone from Yugawara Station and get off at “Shitodo-no-Iwaya Entrance”. From the bus stop it is a 10 minute walk. If you are driving, there is plenty of space for parking.
Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood
I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...
