Bantan Throughway — Gin no Bashamichi and Koseki no Michi Japan Heritage Site 73 Kilometers of Historic Ruts in Japan, a Resource-Rich Country

Spot

09

Sites related to Ikuno Mine (Ikuno Mine and Ikuno Town Cultural Landscape)

List

                 Ikuno Silver Mine used to have one of the best extraction yields in Japan. It was the first state-owned mine; in 1868, the Meiji government chose it to foster modernization with the support of French engineers. The Ikuno Mine Office Carriage Road (Ikuno Kozanryo Bashamichi) – now the Silver Carriage Road (Gin no Bashamichi) – opened in 1876 and runs south to the port of Himeji. Ikuno thus became a symbol of Japanese industrialization.

                 After more than 1,200 years of mining, Ikuno Mine closed in 1973. Soon after, the old tunnels were turned into a tourist attraction, displaying various artifacts so visitors could learn about the mining history and techniques throughout the centuries. Near the entrance of the sightseeing tunnel are an information center and a building displaying the smelting process during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Cultural Property Data:

Spot Name Sites related to Ikuno Mine (Ikuno Mine and Ikuno Town Cultural Landscape)
Designation
Address

Asago City

Tel +81-79-679-2222

Access Map

PAGE TOP