Sandanbeki Cave (Sandanbeki Dōkutsu)
About five minutes by car from Wakayama’s famous Shirahama Beach are the Sandanbeki cliffs, a two-kilometer stretch of coastline rising 50 meters above the sea—one of Wakayama’s geological wonders. Hidden at the bottom of these cliffs is Sandanbeki Dōkutsu, a cave where Kumano pirates of the Heian Era once concealed their boats.
Visitors take an elevator on a 24-second descent, traveling 36 meters down through the cliff to the underground caves, where the power of the rough seas feels close at hand. Exiting the elevator, you enter a large cavern featuring a replica of a small pirate ship. To either side, a maze of passages invites exploration.
The 200-meter route is dimly lit, wet, and atmospheric. You’ll see patterned rock formations carved by seawater, as well as a blowhole that spurts water skyward whenever the tide surges in. You can also view the cave’s entrance point and the area where boats would have docked.
In a larger section of the cave—decorated with over 100 hanging lanterns—stands a carving of Benzaiten, one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods. As the goddess of all that flows, she is almost always enshrined near water. Nearby is a recreated guard house, complete with rusted armor and weapons. Depending on the period and circumstances, the pirates sometimes fought as part of a feudal lord’s navy.
General Information
- Address: Wakayama, Nishimuro District, Shirahama, 2927-52
- Telephone:
- Opening hours: 08:00–17:00 (last entry 16:50)
- Holidays/closures: Closed during bad weather
Admission Fee
General
- Adult: 1,300 yen
- Child / elementary school students: 650 yen
- Below elementary school: Free
Group Visit
- Adults (20 or more): 1,000 yen
- Adults (100 or more): 900 yen
- Child (20 or more): 500 yen
- Child (100 or more): 450 yen
School Visit
-
Junior high & high school students (20 or more): 900 yen
-
Junior high & high school students (100 or more): 800 yen
-
Elementary school students (20 or more): 450 yen
-
Elementary school students (100 or more): 400 yen
-
Extra photo service: 1,300 yen
Ease of Access
From JR Shirahama Station, take the Meiko Bus to “Sandanbeki.”
History of Sandanbeki Cave
One of Wakayama’s geological wonders, the Sandanbeki rock formation—known as the Sandanbeki Cliffs—hides one of Wakayama’s most intriguing secret temples within a cave steeped in history and pirates.
During the Heian Era, Shirahama (where the Sandanbeki Cliffs are located) was one of Wakayama’s most important fishing ports and rapidly became a prosperous town. Its wealth and booming fishing industry drew the attention of a Japanese pirate named Tagamaru, who terrorized the surrounding population and made the area dangerous for all kinds of commerce. To avoid capture by the powerful Kumano Navy sent to stop him, Tagamaru devised a plan: he used the small cave network in the Sandanbeki Cliffs—now known as Sandanbeki Dōkutsu—to hide his men and his many treasures.
Social Media
- Website: http://sandanbeki.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandanbeki/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandanbeki_cave/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXwv_00OKX6rVt0bli2W8Q
