Descending into the Oya History Museum’s Historic Quarry Mine feels like stepping into another world. About thirty meters below the surface, an immense underground quarry opens up into a labyrinth of caverns that stretch across more than 20,000 square meters. The sheer scale is staggering—towering walls of Oya stone rise around you, their surfaces etched with the marks of centuries of excavation.
Soft, creative lighting washes the chambers in hues of color, transforming the vast stone cathedral into a dramatic, almost mystical realm. The atmosphere is both awe-inspiring and otherworldly, inviting visitors to linger, to photograph, and to marvel. It is no wonder the quarry has become a sought-after venue not only for travelers but also for filmmakers, musicians, and event organizers, who find its cavernous beauty the perfect stage for concerts, exhibitions, and cinematic moments.
The Underground Cathedral: Carved in Stone, Painted in Light (YouTube link)
Photo Gallery
If you’ve journeyed to Nikko to marvel at its brilliant autumn colors, there’s another reward waiting just beyond—the underground wonder of the Oya History Museum’s Historic Quarry Mine. Hidden 30 meters beneath the surface, this immense stone labyrinth offers a striking contrast to the fiery foliage above. During our autumn trip to Nikko on November 4, 2025, we captured these photos of the quarry, each frame preserving the awe of its vast chambers and the quiet mystery of its illuminated walls.
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| Excavation Etched in Stone: the Land Bears Its Scars |
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| Reflections in Water: The Cave’s Most Photogenic Secret |
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| A Glimpse of the Outside World from Within the Cave |
