Interesting displays include a remodeled vine bridge of the kind that, even now, extend across inland parts of Shikoku. The marketing assault strikes once visitors disembark from the ferry, with a childlike devil welcoming guests. It gets lamer. But confronting a cutout demon with a swinging arm just disappoints and spoils the area. Pity is, the dimly lit caves actually retain some history and atmosphere.
Legend has it that pirates stored treasure in parts of the low-ceilinged area.
The imagination is fueled by the way the caves were deliberately shaped to foil intruders. Yet these images are wrecked by the fading, half-broken monsters. The peaceful, traditional setting may entice a visitor into shelling out 500 yen to partake in an old-style Japanese tea ceremony in the pagodas. But attendees should brace themselves for a lady in a dark uniform to set down some cakes and tea. Not that some locals think so.