Kawawa Nature Park is a nature park operated by Ueno Village in Tano District, Gunma Prefecture. Surrounded by rugged mountains and clear mountain streams, the park is a popular outdoor destination where visitors can experience the beauty of the natural environment firsthand.
The park forms part of a resort area known as the “Sky Corridor” (Tenku Kairo). Its highlights include Fuji Cave, one of the largest limestone caves in the Kanto region; the spectacular Ueno Sky Bridge; and Mahoba no Mori, where visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. The concentration of these attractions makes the area an ideal destination for families, hikers, and travelers seeking an immersive nature experience.
Kawawa Nature Park features campsites, bungalows, and a trim course, allowing visitors to relax and play surrounded by nature. From spring through autumn, the scenery changes dramatically, from fresh green foliage to brilliant autumn colors.
There is also a children’s play area above the ticket office for Fuji Cave, equipped with attractions such as a Tarzan rope, rocking play equipment, and slides. This combination of nature walks and active recreation makes the park enjoyable for visitors of different ages.
The terrace on the second floor of the renovated visitor information center and the observation deck on the second floor of the shop offer sweeping views of the Ueno Sky Bridge and the surrounding mountains. The vast mountain scenery, with the bridge suspended high above the valley, perfectly captures the meaning of the name “Sky Corridor.”
Fuji Cave (Fujido) is a limestone cave within Kawawa Nature Park measuring approximately 2.2 kilometers in total length. It is considered one of the largest caves in the Kanto region and is designated as a natural monument by Gunma Prefecture.
The cave is said to have been discovered around 1,200 years ago and was used as a place of religious ascetic practice approximately 400 years ago. Its combination of geological features, history, and spiritual associations makes it one of Ueno Village’s most distinctive natural attractions.
Admission is required to enter the cave. From the entrance, visitors pass through an approximately 120-meter artificial tunnel before reaching the natural cavern. Along the route is a vertical shaft known as “Kara-ana,” approximately 40 meters deep, where visitors climb a spiral staircase—an unusual feature that adds to the sense of adventure.
The temperature inside the cave remains around 11°C throughout the year, making it pleasantly cool in summer and relatively mild in winter. Highlights include the more than 3-meter-high “Pillar of Light,” the “Five Hundred Arhats,” whose formations resemble rows of Buddhist statues, and the atmospheric “Five-Colored Clouds.” These remarkable formations showcase the intricate beauty created by nature over countless years.
Ueno Sky Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge connecting Kawawa Nature Park with Mahoba no Mori. It stretches approximately 225 meters and reaches a maximum height of about 90 meters above the ground.
From the bridge, visitors can look out across lush mountains and deep valleys while enjoying an exhilarating walk high above the landscape. It is an excellent viewpoint for experiencing the impressive scale of Ueno Village’s natural surroundings.
From April through November, soap bubbles are released from the bridge at designated times. Floating gently against the blue sky and green mountains, the bubbles create a particularly enchanting scene and provide a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
On the last Sunday of March each year, the Fuji Cave Yayoi Festival is held to celebrate the arrival of spring at the cave. The event has become an established local tradition associated with the opening of the mountain season and attracts visitors from around the region.
Nearby Mahoba no Mori also offers accommodation and nature-based activities. Visitors can combine camping, hiking, cave exploration, and a walk across the suspension bridge to create a full day or even an overnight outdoor adventure.
Kawawa Nature Park brings together the mystery of a limestone cave, the excitement of a spectacular suspension bridge, and the peaceful beauty of forests and mountain streams. With facilities and activities suitable for both adults and children, it is an appealing destination for family trips and outdoor adventures.
Surrounded by some of the Kanto region’s most impressive natural scenery, Kawawa Nature Park offers an opportunity to escape the bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature. When visiting Ueno Village, be sure to explore this remarkable corner of the “Sky Corridor” and experience its dramatic landscapes and outdoor attractions.