HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Hike to Cat-shaped Cave in Chiiwa
Take a day hike along a boulder-strewn creek toward an unusually shaped cave and natural arch, surrounded by pristine forest.
Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture
The Chiiwa Valley is a hidden gem beloved by hikers in Aichi Prefecture. The loop route takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. The trail begins with a walk along a solid rock creek bed before entering lush forest along the creek, where clear water bubbles between giant boulders. As the forest opens up and the steep cliffs appear, hikers pass through pristine virgin forest on the way to a cat-shaped cave and archway. On your way back, take a dip in the natural pool near the trail entrance.
Chiiwa’s unique geology and sights have attracted visitors for centuries, including yamabushi (followers of Shugendo mountain asceticism) who traveled through the area and installed Buddhist statues inside the area’s caves.
The standard trail that goes to the left includes steep metal steps, so please take care as they may be unstable. The trail that goes to the right is flatter and takes you directly toward the archway.
Parking is not available at the trail entrance. If coming by car, park at Yuyaonsen, then take the train from Yuyaonsen to Mikawa-Kawai Station and walk from there. Alternatively, you can borrow a bicycle from the ryokan inn at Yuyaonsen and bike to the trailhead.
How to get there
From Nagoya Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Toyohashi (about 30 minutes). Switch to the Iida Line and ride to Mikawa-Kawai Station (around 1 hour and 40 minutes). The hiking trail entrance is a 30-minute walk from the station.
Kawai Chiiwa, Shinshiro-shi, Aichi-ken
