Let's Explore Taio Kinzan, A Historical Gold Mine In Oita!

Gold Mining Was Practiced In Japan, Right Up Until The 1970's!

Japan has the reputation of being a nation that is not blessed with many natural resources. However, up until a century ago, there were mountains that produced plenty of gold. One of those mountains was the Taio Kinzan or the Taio Gold Mine, in Nakatsue village, Hita city, Oita prefecture.

Mining in Taio Kinzan started in 1894, although plagued by interruptions because of World War II. It continued to flourish until the closure of the mines in 1972.

Now that the mining days are over, the site of the Taio Gold Mine has been reborn as a museum. Here, you can see a display of the mine as it was during the days of gold production.

This time, we invite you to explore the Taio Gold Mine using Google's Indoor View. Perhaps you might be able to discover some leftover treasure for yourself!

A Number Of Exhibits Showing The Gold Mine In Its Heyday

Enter the museum, and the first thing that you will encounter is the "lookout." The "lookout" is where the allocation of daily tasks took place.

On the far right of the "lookout" is a model of Hans Hunter, who ran the mine during its time of operation. It is not only a reproduction of the structure, but as life-size models are also on display, it lets you feel the ambience of that time.

If you continue further down the path, you will come to a wide open space with a tall ceiling. In the corner of this space, the exceptionally large vertical shaft winder runs 510 meters vertically underground (the hole is dug to face directly underneath, which is also known as tatekō in Japanese). It was used as a means of pulling out gold ore.

With the vertical shaft winder behind you, continue to go forward into this wide open space until you see the elevator (toward the deep portion of the shaft). This elevator is very basically made, considering it goes several hundred meters underground.

If you follow the path once again, you will find a panel that indicates the positions of the gateway and the shaft. There is also a figure of a person digging into stone with a drill. You will then come across a mine train brimming with gold ore. Please feel free to explore!

Within The Midst Of The Gateway Is... Japanese Shōchū?

Continue to take small steps forward, and something unusual will appear. A metal gate has been positioned within this strange-looking cave. Here, there is a notice board that reads: "Golden Romance" Second Storage Shed (Ōgonroman daini chozōko 黄金浪漫第二貯蔵庫).

Actually, this is a chamber used for preserving barley shōchū (an alcoholic beverage made of rice wine and barley), a local specialty of Nakatsue village, Oita prefecture. Ōgonroman, or "Golden Romance", is the name of the shōchū. It is left to mature here for three years before it is dispatched.

The Mine Seems To Be Still Producing Gold, If Only In Small Quantities!

So what do you think about it? This gold mine leaves the impression of being an enchanted place - one where you can make your fortune. However, on entering the shaft (which continues for several 100 meters underground), danger lurks menacingly around the corner. Both of these notions are bittersweet.

On a side note, there are also local hotspots in the vicinity where many tourists congregate. One of these places is called Michinoeki Taio Kinzan. The tourist facilities and resting areas can be accessed by car. At Michinoeki Taio Kinzan, you can take part in gold dust searching (sakintori taiken), which is a big hit with visitors from abroad.

Plates piled high with sand are carefully washed away, and gold dust, zirconia, and various other natural stones are gathered. You can no longer find your fortune, but it is a unique attraction that allows you to feel the atmosphere of the mine. If you are ever in the area, please take on the challenge! This is a real "golden" opportunity not to be missed!

Information

Taio Kinzan

Address: Oita prefecture, Hita city, Nakatsuemura Gōse 3750
Hours: March-Nov 09:00-17:00, Dec-Feb 10:00 - 16:30
Closed: January 1st
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Other Languages: -
Information in Other Languages: English, Chinese, and Korean
Nearest Station: Oita Expressway, Hita Interchange (大分自動車道日田IC)
Access: Roughly an hour by car from Oita Expressway, Hita Interchange
Entrance Fee: Adults 1,030 yen; Junior High School Students 820 yen; Elementary School Students: 510 yen
Religion: -
Telephone: +81-0973-56-5316
Website: Taio Gold Mine (Japanese)