Limestone bat cave

In Shirokawa, there is a small limestone cave. To get into it, you have to visit a certain house to have the door to the cave unlocked.

Inside, it seems freezing cold, but strangely, you get used to it quickly. A wet and slippery metal staircase goes up through a narrow tunnel that leads to a series of fantastic orifices in the rock. A flight of bats flies up to check you out. Baby bats can be seen clinging to the walls. I also saw a snake, and thereafter was very careful where I put my hands and feet.

The cave is alive with the sound of bats. You can hear their wings flapping, the sound getting quite loud as they approach your face. You can also hear them squeaking and clicking. They appear to respond to human clicks and whistles.