鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)

しょうにゅうどう
noun
limestone cave; stalactite cave
geography
1. limestone cave; stalactite cave; cavern
A cave formed in limestone by the dissolving action of water, typically featuring stalactites and stalagmites. Many such caves in Japan are popular tourist attractions.
鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)を探検(たんけん)する。
To explore a limestone cave.
鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)の中(なか)は夏(なつ)でも涼(すず)しい。
It's cool inside the limestone cave even in summer.
何万年(なんまんねん)もかけて形成(けいせい)された鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)の美(うつく)しさに感動(かんどう)した。
I was moved by the beauty of the limestone cave, formed over tens of thousands of years.

Forms

鍾乳(しょうにゅう) (stalactite) + 洞(どう) (cave). The character 鍾(しょう) is uncommon outside this word.

Famous examples in japan

  • 秋芳洞(あきよしどう): Akiyoshi-do (山口県(やまぐちけん))
  • 龍泉洞(りゅうせんどう): Ryūsen-do (岩手県(いわてけん))
  • 龍河洞(りゅうがどう): Ryūga-do (高知県(こうちけん))

Related words

Cultural note

鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう) are popular tourist destinations in Japan, especially in summer because the cave interior stays cool year-round.

Related Words

Related: 鍾乳石(しょうにゅうせき) (stalactite)
Related: 洞窟(どうくつ) (cave)
Compare: 岩穴(いわあな) (cave)
Related: 石灰岩(せっかいがん) (limestone)
general
Added 2026.3.23 18:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18500/18923_shounyuudou