Ashio Copper Mine

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Ashio Copper Mine

A museum that preserves over 400 years of history of the center of Japan’s mine.

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Ashio Copper Mine operated for 400 years until its closure in 1973. It was a national history site. Opened in 1610, After finding copper in Bizentateyama Mountain, it became busy as a copper mine designated by the Edo Bakufu government. 1871 saw the mine being privatized, and became an industry that supported Japan’s modernization. In the beginning of the 20th century, the mine accounted for 40% of copper exports in Japan.

Still, despite its development, there were concerns and long-standing problems such as forestry, smog from refining copper, environmental waste, water pollution, and soil pollution.

Some of the mineways of Ashio Copper Mine opened to the public. Visitors can learn the light and darkness of the mine’s history and how it supported Japan’s development. After going inside the 460m long mine on a mine train, mannequin dioramas explore the mining process according to periods of time. It is evident, work was done in extreme conditions.

Visitors can also see exhibits and documents such as the copper museum and coin issuing. They can learn how ores turn into copper, and the making of a coin.

Highlights

  • Explore a 460m long mine aboard a mine train.
  • See realistic mannequin dioramas of mining.
  • The history museum has exhibits on Japan’s modernization.
  • The museum features a rest house selling souvenirs made of copper.

Photos

  • A dimly lit mine unchanged from the past.

    A dimly lit mine unchanged from the past.

  • Board a mine train and travel deep down the mine.

    Board a mine train and travel deep down the mine.

  • The mine is cool, make sure to wear something warm!

    The mine is cool, make sure to wear something warm!

  • Museum where visitors can learn how ores become copper.

    Museum where visitors can learn how ores become copper.

  • Realistic mannequin dioramas that show the harsh nature of mining.

    Realistic mannequin dioramas that show the harsh nature of mining.

Reviews

1
  • ps.yuanyuan33

    把已經停採的廢棄銅礦坑,打造成為觀光景點,原本採礦用的軌道可以搭乘觀光小火車,雖然不很長但也是一種難得體驗。

Details

Name in Japanese
足尾銅山
Postal Code
321-1514
Address
9-2 Ashiomachitsudo, Nikko City, Tochigi
Telephone
0288-93-3240
Closed
Open every day
Business Hours
9:00am-5:00pm (Mine Train Final Boarding 4:15pm)
Admission
Adults 830 yen, Elementary / Middle-School Students 410 yen
Directions
50 minute bus ride from JR Tobu Nikko station
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)