Inside The Mysterious Sado Gold Mines: Explore 400 Years of Japan’s Mining Heritage

Sado Kinzan Gold Mine: Japan’s largest gold mine

Sado Island, known for its rich gold deposits since ancient times, was famously mentioned in the “Konjaku Monogatari” from the 11th century as “a place where gold blossoms.” The Sado Kinzan Gold Mine in the Aikawa area was discovered by three prospectors in 1601 and became a Tokugawa Shogunate domain in 1603, supporting the Edo Shogunate’s finances.

With Japan’s modernization, the latest Western techniques were introduced to the mine. It operated for nearly 400 years until resource depletion led to its closure in 1989. Over this period, the mine produced 78 tons of gold and 2,330 tons of silver. The mine’s tunnels, dug in the search for gold, extend about 400 kilometers—equivalent to the distance from Sado to Tokyo.

Today, Sado Kinzan is a historical site and tourist attraction, where visitors can explore the extensive tunnels and machinery that remain harmoniously embedded in the island’s lush natural surroundings.

Access and Tour Course

Visitors to Sado Kinzan are greeted by its iconic symbol, the Douyu Split Gorge (the “Doyu Warito”). This split mountain, remarkably carved by hand during the Edo period, showcases the incredible effort of past miners.

At the Sado Kinzan Historical Site, you can explore two tunnel walking courses that highlight the relentless pursuit of gold and the evolution of mining technology over 400 years. Guided tours are also available for a more in-depth experience.

For more information, please see the website for Sado Kinzan:
http://www.sado-kinzan.com/course/

The ruin of Sado Kinzan is about 30 kilometers from Ryōtsu Port, and takes 60 minutes by car.

Though it’s a bit of a detour, you can veer off to the Ōsado Skyline for a 90-minute drive. It’s recommended that you rent a car from Ryōtsu Port, and admire the beautiful views of Sado while driving.

Besides that, there are two route buses from Ryōtsu Port. The first heads towards Sado Kinzan, and takes 70 minutes. The other heads towards Aikawa, and you can ride it for 60 minutes to “Aikawa” and switch buses for a 10-minute ride to Sado Kinzan. Please check the bus timings and fares on Niigata Kotsu Sado’s Home page.
http://www.sado-bus.com/

Time travel 400 years into the mines of Kinzan

We’ll now introduce two of the courses.

1. Sodayu Mine Edo Kinzan Picture Scroll Course

First, let’s head to the Sōdayū Kō, the Sodayu Mine Edo Kinzan Picture Scroll Course. The entranceway is split into two courses, so let’s head to the right. Inside the tunnels, it can drop below 10℃ even in summer, so don’t forget to bring warm outerwear!

Along the way, there are information corners that explain various aspects of gold. These include introductions to the coinage used throughout the ages, the organization and structure at Sado Kinzan Gold Mine, as well as information about the work processes and tools used. Additionally, the Sōdayū Kō is named after Sōdayū, the prospector who managed the mine.

As you continue along the path, you can see realistic dolls hard at work along the uneven walls. This marks the start of the Edo period’s hand mining tunnel. The tunnel is inspired by the Sado Kinzan Picture Scrolls and recreates scenes of what it was like to work in the mines during that period.

The exhibit showcases the use of a Suishōin, a water pump from around 1653 that was used to pump water out of the mines during mining work.

In the past, miners extracted ore using only chisels and hammers. Beyond those digging for gold, the mine employed workers with various roles, such as those who supplied fresh air to prevent oxygen deficiency, operated water wheels, and performed the arduous task of removing accumulated water with buckets. Each role had different pay and working conditions.

Throughout the tunnels, explanatory signs and mannequins illustrate these historical aspects. The realistic displays include work sounds and mannequins voicing phrases like, “I want to see my beloved.” This creates the impression that mining activities are happening right before your eyes. The tour takes about 30 minutes, offering a fascinating glimpse into the resilience of Edo-period miners and the challenges they faced in their quest for gold.

2. Doyu Mine Meiji Government Mine Course

Next up, we have the second course. The time is the 1600s and the proceeding 200 years, on the Meiji Government Mine Course, the “Doyu Mine,” where you can experience modern technology!

The Doyu Mine is located within the gold mine directly beneath the Doyu Warito, the split mountain that has become the symbol of the Sado Gold Mine. It was first discovered in 1899. Starting from 1938, the tunnels had 2-ton battery-powered rail cars running along them, pulling cars carrying workers and ore. The rail cars remained in operation until the mine was closed and are now on display.

At the very end of the tunnels lies the largest gold mine ruins in Japan, directly under Doyu Warito. The large space and exposed rock faces underneath the mountain are overwhelming.

Exiting the Douyu Shaft, you’ll find another building showcasing the machinery used until the mine’s closure in 1989. The exhibit includes black, heavy-duty equipment like trolleys and high-speed cutters for iron bars and pipes. Some of these machines are still operational, offering a tangible sense of how recently gold mining activities continued.

On this course, you can stroll to the base of Douyu Split Gorge. There, you’ll find a large hole created by dynamite blasts used for gold mining. Beneath this opening lies a vast underground space. This view symbolizes the 400-year history of Sado Kinzan, showcasing both the hand-dug efforts from 1601 and the more recent excavation marks.

The 40-minute course, which highlights the advancements in technology and machinery since the Edo period, concludes at a plaza with a view of Douyu Split Gorge.

Next up, we’ll be taking a look at the exhibition hall in the Sado Kinzan ruins. Regardless of if you picked the Edo Kinzan Picture Scrolls Course or the Meiji Government Mine Course, you’ll be able to visit it.

Here, we have a 1/10 scale replica of a village where the gold mine workers lived in, and the processing facilities of gold, with over 500 miniature pieces. You can see what life was like during those times.

Besides that, tools that were used for mining and gold ingots are also on display. The wide variety of ingots and coins available will leave you surprised.

Although canceled during our visit due to COVID-19, there’s a unique event where you can try to extract a pure gold bar worth 7 million yen from a transparent box! The gold bar weighs 12.5 kg, and it’s quite a challenge to pull it out through a small hole.

Those who succeed receive a “gold leaf card” with a serial number. If you’re feeling strong, give it a try! Even if you don’t manage to extract the bar, it’s a rare opportunity to touch real gold.

Get some gold ice cream and golden souvenirs!

When you visit Sado Kinzan Gold Mine, be sure to try the gold leaf ice cream. This sweet and creamy treat is sprinkled with real gold leaf. Understanding the hard work that goes into mining for gold will make you appreciate the ice cream even more as you savor it!

You can satisfy your souvenir needs at the souvenir shop. Most of the products are gold colored! It’s a bright and lustrous sales floor. From bath salts to lucky charms and tea, various items are lined up.

The most popular item among these is the “Maizōkin Jūryō Koban,” or buried treasure coins. The packaging is perfect for gifting.

Boxes of three are available, and a 72-piece version in an actual wooden box can also be purchased.

Besides that, rare souvenirs befitting of a gold mine are on sale as well. Shōtoku Sado coins are on sale, as well as gold ore from Sado Kinzan itself!

The prices of the gold coins vary with commodity prices, as do the prices of the ores, but they’re usually around 10,000 yen.

At the gold products souvenir corner, do find items that will leave you with great memories.

Is that ‘Castle in the Sky’!? Niigata’s must-see abandoned ruins

If you’re going to the Sado Kinzan ruins, one place you absolutely have to visit is the Kitazawa Fuyūsenkōbaato. It’s five minutes away from the gold mine by car, and you can explore it freely.

This is the first site in Japan to make use of the flotation method to separate gold and silver ore. Using this method, over 50 thousand tons of ore can be processed in a month, and the scale is so large that it’s touted as the largest in the East.

Though the power generators and thickeners, amongst the other modern equipment, were closely guarded and secreted away, after the mine was closed, the equipment had finished serving its purpose. All that’s left are the building foundations.

Now, the cracked concrete is teeming with life. The abandoned manmade structures have returned to nature, in a scene straight out of the Studio Ghibli film, “Castle in the Sky.” You can enjoy your time here imagining how the equipment and buildings were used during their heyday.

For a limited time, there’s a night light-up as well, and you can see the Kitazawa Fuyūsenkōbaato turn into a scene straight out of your fantasies! Seeing it with your own eyes will definitely move you.

Enjoy time-traveling through 400 years!

The last place we’ll be introducing is Kyōmachi-dōri, located between Sado Kinzan and the Kitazawa Flotation Plant.

From the Edo period until relatively recent times, it was a mining village that many workers in the mine called home. To this day, many old stone staircases and traditional Japanese-style homes remain, making it perfect for a stroll. As there are cafés and shops around here, there are many places you can make a small detour while taking a walk.

Many of the introductions and explanations that we made this time can be gleaned from the various explanation boards around, which are available in both Japanese and English.

As there are many tourists from other countries, pamphlets in multiple languages are available. They’re all customized to match the facilities and mood of each area, so you’ll be sure to have lots of fun! Why not pay a visit to Sado Kinzan, where you can time travel 400 years into the past and experience the lives of workers and people here?

Text by: Naoko Iwabuchi
The information in this article is correct as of July 2020.