Goa Jepang in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua Province
Only some people know about Biak Numfor Regency, especially when it comes to tourism. Have no worries. The region won’t disappoint visitors as it has various tourist allures including the famous Japanese Cave or Goa Jepang. As the name suggests, the cave was named after the presence of Japan Army during their reign in Indonesia (during the WWII). Aside from the history, the cave is quite attractive to tourists due to its strategic location. It resides near to a local beach, so visitors can drop by to the beach either after or before exploring the cave later.
The Nuance
Unlike other Japanese caves located in other regions of Indonesia, this one is natural. That means the Nippon Army didn’t build it. Instead, they used it directly as their natural bunker. The location is near to downtown, so the popularity and accessibility are considered excellent. The cave is surrounded by lush trees and it features a pathway with fences. Thus, visitors can explore the outdoor part of the cave easily. As for the nuance, the cave feels dark and damp indeed, which is similar to others.
Exploring Goa Jepang
For the information, the official name is Binsari Cave. Some locals also call it Goa Nenek! “Nenek” means an old lady, actually. Villagers gave the name due to a story of a grandma who was once lived in that cave. However, this woman vanished mysteriously back then. In terms of popularity, it is similar to Lima Kamar Cave, which is another famous Japanese Cave in Biak Numfor. No wonder, lots of visitors can be seen on the site both during regular days and weekends. Another reason is the location, which is near to Biak City.
Once arriving at Binsari Japanese Cave, tourists would feel the mystical aura right away. The presence of tall and lush trees makes it ghostlike! Still, these trees provide shadiness to the site, so visitors are able to avoid the heat of the sun when exploring the location at noon. As for tourist activities, most visitors are likely to enjoy caving or exploration. Once entering the cave, they would see beautiful stalactites! There is a big hole on the ceiling, too.
Another allure in Binsari Japanese Cave is indeed related to history. According to the locals, the Japanese Army once hid in the cave. However, a US’s spy informed their allies regarding the location. Soon, the US Air Force dropped a bomb in it. No wonder, it is said all Nippon soldiers died on the site. This explains why the nuance feels so mystical either on the outside or inside the cave!
Nearby Attractions
- Cendrawasih Museum
- Tentara Kompi C Monument
How to Get There
For those coming from outside the region, it is recommended to come by airplane. From Jakarta City (Soekarno – Hatta International Airport), for example, a flight to Frans Kaisiepo Airport may take around 5 hours and 45 minutes. Once tourists arrive at the airport, they can simply take Ambroben and Bosnik Raya Street to get to the cave. The distance is 6.7 km, so this trip would take only about 13 minutes or less depending on the traffic. The location is near to the airport, actually.
Where to Stay
- Basana Inn
- Asana Hotel
- Agung Hotel
