Tiizu Abu | A City-Designated Vertical Cave in the Forest on Irabu Island (Miyako)

Tiizu Abu is a natural cave in the forest adjacent to farmland about 500m east of the Nagayama farm road toward the northernmost Hakuchozaki, along Irabu Island's trunk farm road. It became a Miyakojima City-designated historic site in 1994. In a corner where the field has hollowed out, it is a vertical shaft opening like the mouth of a well, with two cave mouths. The larger is about 5m wide and 12m long, the smaller about 1.5m wide and 3m long, reaching a depth of about 20m. The floor is a hall-like space about 15m wide and 20m long, with an 8m-square stone stack remaining in the centre. It is regarded as a geologically valuable cave, and the discovery of fossil bones and the like is anticipated. Outdoors, reaching the site and viewing from outside the cave mouth are possible, but it is not a developed viewing facility, and being a deep vertical shaft, you cannot descend inside.

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Map & Access

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Basic Information

Location (Island)Irabu Island
AddressIkemazoe, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Hours / Opening time24 hours (always open; as an outdoor natural cave and historic site there are no gates).
ClosedNone (always open)
FeeFree
ParkingNone (no dedicated car park or signage. In the forest along the farm road, you stop temporarily on the road).
ContactMiyakojima City Board of Education, Lifelong Learning Promotion Division, Cultural Properties Section 0980-72-3764

Visiting tips & what to bring

It is a vertical shaft about 20m deep, not a safely developed viewing facility. Keep viewing to outside the cave mouth and at the surface; do not descend inside or approach the cave mouth, as the risk of falling and rockfall is large. It is in the forest along the farm road with scarce signage and unstable footing, so prepare easy-to-walk footwear, insect repellent and sun shade, and avoid solo action and approaching at night. Do not disturb the remains such as the central stone stack or the surrounding rocks and vegetation, and always take your rubbish home. There is no dedicated car park or toilet, and temporary stopping on the farm road should be considerate so as not to obstruct traffic or farm work. It is not a sacred area, but it is a geologically valuable protected object.

For families with small children

It is unsuitable for families with infants (0 to 6). It is an undeveloped vertical shaft about 20m deep, with a very high risk of falling around the cave mouth and no railings or signage. The footing in the forest is poor and there are many insects, so viewing with small children cannot be recommended. When spending time with children, it is safer to choose places you can enjoy safely, such as the nearby Sawada-no-Hama or Nishi-Kaigan Park with Hakuchozaki.

FAQ

Q.Can you go inside Tiizu Abu to view it?

A.No. It is a vertical shaft about 20m deep, not a developed viewing facility, and descending inside is practically impossible due to the large risk of falling and rockfall. Keep viewing to outside the cave mouth and at the surface.

Q.Is the location easy to find?

A.It is a hard-to-find place. It is in the forest adjacent to farmland about 500m east of the Nagayama farm road toward Hakuchozaki, and signage is scarce, so it is recommended to check a map app and historic-site information in advance before heading over.

Q.Are there parking and toilets?

A.There is no dedicated car park or toilet. As it is along the farm road, you stop temporarily so as not to obstruct traffic or farm work. It is reassuring to take care of toilet needs in advance at nearby facilities such as Sawada-no-Hama.

Q.Is there an admission fee or opening hours?

A.As an outdoor natural cave and historic site, it is free with no gates and always viewable. However, as it is a vertical shaft with dark, dangerous footing, visit during bright daytime.

Q.What kind of valuable place is it?

A.It is a cave that became a Miyakojima City-designated historic site in 1994, with an 8m-square stone stack remaining on the floor. It is regarded as geologically valuable with anticipated discoveries of fossil bones, and not disturbing the remains, rocks and vegetation is required.