There is not one country around the world that does not experience any setbacks. Even the most advanced countries are subject to minor and major problems such as poor internet connection, bad traffic, pollution, agricultural development, and health care.
Japan is no exception to life’s inevitable pitfalls. One of the issues faced by the thriving country is its relatively few mineral resources. Some of the metal sources extensively mined in Japan include silver, gold, copper, and tin, which come in too little quantities to create any economic impact.
The mining industry of Japan has never been set on a large scale similar to that of other countries. In fact, the country has only had three significant gold mines in the past and only one in operation today.
The Sado Kinzan Gold Mine in Niigata, Japan
The Sado Kinzan Gold Mine is a large gold and silver mine that dates back to the 1600s when it served as the primary source of funds for the Tokugawa Shogunate. During the Edo Period, the mine produced about 400 kilograms of gold on an annual basis.
The mine operated from 1601 to 1974 and was officially closed down in 1989. At present, the mine is open for viewing and offers two walking courses and a museum to visiting locals and foreigners.
The walking courses allow tourists to go through various tunnels which have been restored and slightly modified to include life-size animatronic working miners. The first route showcases tunnels from the Edo Period, while the second one features newer mines from the Meiji Period. Informative boards and signs, tools, and machines can be found throughout the courses.
Tourists may walk through these courses from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM during April – October and from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM during November – March. There is an admission fee of 900 yen per person for each walking course or 1,400 yen per person for both routes.
There are also guided walking tours available but are often done in Japanese. These tours, known as the Industrial Inheritance Tour and Edo Era Special Tour, allow visitors to check out mines which have been closed off to the public.
Both tours are done 3-4 times per day from December to March. The Industrial Inheritance Tour has an admission fee of 2,200 yen, while the Edo Era Special Tour requires participants to pay 2,400 yen each.
Side Trips from the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine
Myosenji Temple
The Myosenji Temple features a 5-storey pagoda tower, similar to the Toshogu Shrine. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Address: 29, Abutsubo, Sado 952-0303, Niigata Prefecture
Konponji Temple
The Konponji Temple is among Sado Island’s most important temples associated with Nichiren, a Japanese Buddist priest. It dates back to the year 1607 and houses several artifacts and belongings of the priest.
Address: 1837 Niiboono, Sado 952-0109, Niigata Prefecture
Chokokuji Temple
The Chokokuji Temple dates back to 807 and houses lovely peonies that are used as herbs for medicinal purposes. As such, the ancient temple is also referred to as Peony Temple.
Address: Chokokuji 13, Chokoku, Sado, Niigata Prefecture
Hokusetsu Sake Brewery
The Hokusetsu Sake Brewery produces Daiginjo sake using traditional methods and Yamada Nishiki rice, locally cultivated in the Sado Island.
Address: 2377-2, Tokuwa, Sado, Niigata Prefecture
Obata Shuzo Brewery
The Obata Shuzo Brewery is considered to be Niigata’s first sake factory that offers visitors with tours and sake tasting activities.
Address: 449 Manoshinmachi, Sado, Niigata Prefecture
Onogame
Onogame is a perfect place for tourists who want to enjoy a nice walk amidst a stunning field of yellow licorice that bloom from May to June.
Address: Negai, Sado 952-3203, Niigata Prefecture
Futatsugame
Futatsugame, which means “two turtles” in English, features a rocky cliff that resembles a couple of crouching turtles. It is ideal for tourists who want to go for a swim, given its large body of water that is among the clearest ones on Sado Island.
Address: Washizaki, Sado 952-3205, Niigata Prefecture
Mt. Momiji Park
Mt. Momiji Park is one of the best places to view some spectacular autumn foliage. The park features several walking paths where once can see Mt. Kakuda and Mt. Yahiko during clear days. Every October, a Fall Foliage Festival is held in the park.
Address: 1024-34 Hamagawachi, Sado, Niigata Prefecture
Accommodation Options near Sado Kinzan Gold Mine
Traditional Japanese Houses & Inns
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Sado Kamoko Onsen Oyado Kagetsu
Address: 262 Ryotsu-Ebisu, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 9,100 yen
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Ryokan Iriumi
Address: 782 Kubota, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 21,900 yen
Traditional & Modern Hotels
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Ryotsu Yamaki Hotel
Address: 66 Akitsu, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 6,000 yen
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Hotel Shiiya
Address: 4916-7 Kamoutashiro, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 13,500 yen
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Hotel Mancho
Address: 58 Aikawaorito-machi, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 13,700 yen
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Sado Grand Hotel
Address: 4918-1 Kamoutashiro, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 11,000 yen
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Hotel New Katsura
Address: 696-1 Harakuro, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 15,200 yen
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The Hotel Aoki
Address: 685 Harakuro, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 11,000 yen
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Sado Green Hotel Kiraku
Address: 658 Harakuro, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 19,100 yen
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Hotel Yahatakan
Address: 2043 Yahata, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 19,400 yen
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Osado Onsen Hotel Osado
Address: 288-2 Aikawakabuse, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 11,300 yen
Resort Hotels
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Hotel Familio Sadoaikawa
Address: 1267-1, Ogawa, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 16,000 yen
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Azuma Yubae-tei
Address: 548-1 Aikawa Oura, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 25,800 yen
The Toi Kinzan Gold Mine in Shizuoka, Japan
The Toi Kinzan Gold Mine is considered to be Japan’s second most productive mine following the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. It operated throughout the Edo Period and served as the main source for gold to be used in making coins. Century after century, the mine produced fewer minerals which eventually caused it to stop operations.
However, the mine was reopened in 1917, when it showed significant amounts of gold and silver, once more. The Toi Kinzan Gold Mine produced about forty tons of gold in total before being officially closed down in 1965.
The mine now serves as a tourist destination and offers visitors a 400-meter walking course and a museum to learn about the history and process of the mining gold. The tunnels feature animatronic miners and informative displays with simple English translations.
Upon reaching the tunnel exit, tourists can easily locate the museum which stands across from the mine. It houses a diorama that showcases the manufacturing process of gold and several items of mining equipment that date back to the Edo Period. The most famous item it has on display is a 250-kilogram gold bar, which is considered to be the heaviest one in the world.
The museum is open every day (except on December when it has irregular closing days) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors are required to pay an admission fee of 860 yen per person. For an additional fee, tourists may also try gold panning for thirty minutes. Any gold they find can be taken home as a souvenir.
Side Trips from the Toi Kinzan Gold Mine
Shuzenji Niji no Sato
Shukenji Niji no Sato is a 50-hectare park that houses Japanese and Western-style villages. Visitors can enjoy several activities including embroidery, traditional crafts, paper making, and ceramics making. The park also has lovely flower gardens that offer stunning scenes throughout the year, even during the winter season (December – February).
Address: 4279-3 Shuzenji, Izu 410-2416, Shizuoka Prefecture
Joren Falls
The Joren Falls is Izu’s most popular waterfall that measures 25 meters high and 7 meters wide. It is situated deep in the forests and doubles as a trout fishing site.
Address: 892-14 Yugashima, Izu 410-3206, Shizuoka Prefecture
Accommodation Options near Toi Kinzan Gold Mine
Traditional Japanese Houses & Inns
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Bokusuisou Toikan
Address: 289-2 Toi, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 20,000 yen
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Yunohana-tei
Address: 2849-5 Toi, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 22,800 yen
Traditional & Modern Japanese Hotels
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Yutorelo Nishiizu
Address: 324 Toi, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 5,500 yen
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Suishotei
Address: 415-4 Toi Izu-shi Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 24,000 yen
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Musouan Biwa
Address: 259-1 Toi Izu-shi Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 57,100 yen
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Gyokushoen Arai
Address: 284 Toi, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 24,500 yen
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Itoen Hotel Toi
Address: 3864 Yagisawa, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 15,600 yen
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Izutoi Hot Spring Fujiya Hotel
Address: 478-1 ToiIzu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 26,000 yen
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Aoki-nagi-no-yado Meijikan
Address: 2849-3 Toi, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 25,400 yen
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Toi Spa Minamisou
Address: 336-1 Toi, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 34,000 yen
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Futaritowani En
Address: 1341-4 Koshimoda, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 73,400 yen
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Hotel - Fuji Fugaku Gunjo
Address: 2461-1 Yagisawa, Izu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Starting Price (2 Adults, 1 Night): 104,700 yen
The Konomai Gold Mine in Hokkaido, Japan
The Konomai Gold Mine operated from 1915 to 1973 at the Abashiri Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan, situated about 30 kilometers down south of Monbetsu City. It produced an estimated total of 73 tons of gold and 1,240 tons of silver. During the 1940s, it had around 13,000 miners and merchants living in the area, along with their families.
Since it closed, the mine has not been reopened for public viewing. In fact, the entire vicinity of the mine that was once populated thousands of residents now serves as a ghost town. The area has been covered in lush greenery, with a few buildings dotting the landscape.
Several employees of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., the company who operated the Konomai Gold Mine, regularly visit the area to keep track of any problems or potential mineral productions.
Side Trips From the Konomai Gold Mine
Abashiri Prison Museum
The Abashiri Prison Museum showcases various buildings of the old prison and the daily activities that were done by its prisoners. It is open from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM during May – September and from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during October – April. There is an admission fee of 1,080 yen per person
Address: 1-1, Yobito, Abashiri 099-2421, Hokkaido
Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum
The Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum offers visitors with a unique drift ice experience all year round. It features a room set to carry a constant temperature of -15 degrees Celsius.
Address: 245-1 Tentozan, Abashiri 093-0044, Hokkaido
Accommodation Options near Konomai Gold Mine
Traditional Japanese Houses & Inns
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Sangosou-no-sato Notori-no-so Kagariya
Address: 60-3 Ubaranai, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 9,300 yen
Traditional & Modern Hotels
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Natural Hot Spring Dormy Inn Abashiri
Address: 3-1-1 Minami-2-jo Nishi, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 4,700 yen
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Hokuten no Oka Abashiriko Tsuruga Resort
Address: 159 Yobito, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 35,200 yen
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Toyoko Inn Hokkaido Okhotsk Abashiri Ekimae
Address: 1-3-3,Shin-machi Abashiri-city,Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 4,800 yen
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Tento-no-Yado Abashiri Kanko Hotel
Address: 23 Yobito, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 4,600 yen
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Abashiri Central Hotel
Address: Nishi 3, Minami 2 jo, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 5,200 yen
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Hokkai Hotel
Address: 1-1 Shin-machi Abashiri-shi Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 3,300 yen
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Tento no Sato Hotel Honjin Abashiriko
Address: 34 Omagari, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 4,600 yen
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Abashiri Royal Hotel
Address: Nishi 7-2, Kita 6 jo, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 4,200 yen
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Hotel Route Inn Abashiri Ekimae
Address: 1-2-13 Shin-machi, Abashiri City, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 5,100 yen
Resort Hotels
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Hotel Abashirikoso
Address: 78 Yobito, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido
Starting Price (1 Adult, 1 Night): 7,000 yen
The Hishikari Gold Mine in Kagoshima, Japan
The Hishikari Gold Mine serves as Japan’s largest and only operating gold deposit situated in Isa, Kagoshima, Japan that started in 1985. It is currently being handled and developed by the Sumitomo Metal Mining Group and is believed to house an estimated total of 8 million ounces of gold reserves. According to experts, the Hishikari offers a promising future to Japan, given its high-grade gold. As such, it is considered to be among the best gold mines across the globe.
Since its establishment, the Hishikari Gold Mine has produced an estimated total of 165 tons of gold, which is significantly higher than the combined total of the Sado, Toi and Konomai gold mines.
Interestingly, the gold being dug up from Hishikari only date back a million years ago unlike the 10-million-year-old ones from the three former mines. Scientists have been examining the geological structure of the Hishikari Gold Mine to better understand how so much gold have been deposited in the area.
One clue points to the area’s abundance of hot springs, which are believed to be indications of hydrothermal gold and silver underground deposits according to recent studies. With Japan housing numerous hot springs nationwide, this theory offers a potentially big change to the country’s problem of mineral resources.