GOLD MINES

The Sado gold mines (Sado Kinzan) embody four centuries of history, innovation and cultural richness. As early as 1601, the first mines were established, and were rapidly structured by the Tokugawa shogunate, which made them a major economic pillar of the country. Two main sites emerged: the Aikawa gold and silver mine and the Nishimikawa gold mine, each exploited using methods adapted to its geological characteristics. Under the direct administration of the shogunate from 1603, gold coin production was in full swing. The workforce, drawn from all over Japan, helped shape a unique and vibrant mining culture. From the Meiji era onwards, the mines opened up to modernity: foreign engineers, cutting-edge techniques and mechanization marked a new era, making the Sado mines a model for Japan's fledgling industry. In 1889, the site became the property of the Imperial Household, before being acquired by Mitsubishi in 1896. Until its closure in 1989, the Aikawa mine produced 78 tonnes of gold and over 2,300 tonnes of silver. A network of 400 km of galleries stretched underground, some 530 m deep. Today, part of this exceptional site is open to the public, offering an immersive journey into the island's industrial and social history. Most of the material traces of mining activities have been preserved in the form of archaeological remains. In July 2024, Unesco declared Sado Kinzan a world cultural heritage site.