The small town of Yoshimi, Saitama, is known mostly for the Hundred Caves, the largest grave cluster in Japan. A few minutes away from the caves, however, lies another strange cave that was once just as popular. Gankutsu Hotel (“cave hotel”) is a strange structure dug out of a sandstone cliff overlooking the Ichino River. It’s enclosed by fences today and unauthorized entry is prohibited as it is private property. It was constructed by Minekichi Takahashi, a local strawberry farmer, who wanted to make a sake brewery and cellar out…
