Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
also listed in Kanji characters (
鐘乳 洞
; Kane chichi hora Dōkutsu; lit. “Breast Bell Cave,”
Stalactite Cave). From the sign it's a short distance to a small parking area and the cave en-
trance. There's no admission fee and there's usually no one around.
From the parking lot it's a short climb down some slippery steps and then into a quite
large grotto. This large hall is perhaps 65 feet (20 meters) across and equally tall. It's dark but
there's a small natural skylight high at the top. This is only the beginning and now you'll need
your own flashlight and a hard hat. At the far right of the main entrance cavern there's a little
opening, perhaps 18 inches (half a meter) wide and 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. This is the actual
entrance to the cave. In fact, it's pretty scary and it's certain that the cave is full of bats and
probably a lot more. For the intrepid, know that it's not a terribly long cave but don't go in
alone and leave word with someone that you plan on visiting this cave.
Horse's Horn
Lying upon a silk pillow and framed in a wooden shadow box is the horn of a unicorn. Given with great
ceremony more than 300 years ago by an emissary from China when Kumejima was a small kingdom
in its own right, at the ime of its presentaion it was considered one of the most rare and priceless
possessions in the world.
From the Yajagama Cave it's another 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) northeast following the
coast road along the northern top of Kume to the 15th-century Gushikawa Castle Ruins (
具志
川城跡
; Gushi-kawa gusuku jōato). It's mostly reconstructed stone walls that you'll find here,
but archeological excavation and restoration work are going on all the time. There is no ad-
mission charge to this
gusuku
.
From the castle ruins it's only a couple of hundred meters further down the hill to the
shoreline and the “Female Rock” (
女岩
; Onna-iwa), otherwise popularly known as Mīfugā
(
ミーフガー
; lit. “Vagina Rock”). It's clearly visible from the castle. There's a large paved park-
ing lot and the site almost always has visitors. Incidentally, Mīfugā may be temperamental.
The area underneath her opening is littered with fairly large stones that have come crashing
down and there are warning signs to watch for falling rock. She may not always appreciate
the attention paid to her private, personal space.
