| Ōkuki Mine |
Located in Uchiko, Ehime Prefecture, the Ōkuki Mine is a historic gold mine with undocumented origins, yet it had a significant economic impact on the region during the modern period. |
1800–1870 |
Gold |
Reference |
| Takaura Mine |
The Takaura Mine, active for over half a century in Ikata (Ehime), was one of the principal gold extraction sites in southern Japan during the Taishō and Shōwa eras. |
1914–1965 |
Gold |
Reference |
| Taio Gold Mine |
Founded during the Meiji era, the Taio Gold Mine is now an industrial museum that narrates the evolution of mining activity in Hita, Ōita Prefecture. |
1896–1972 |
Gold |
Reference |
| Hishikari Mine |
Operated by Sumitomo Metal Mining, Hishikari is the only active gold mine in Japan. It is distinguished by the high quality and concentration of the ore extracted. |
1985–oggi |
Gold |
Reference |
| Sado Mine |
The Sado Mine, located on the eponymous island in Niigata Prefecture, was one of Japan’s largest mines. Operational since the Edo period, it is now an important cultural and tourist site. |
1601–1989 |
Gold |
Reference |
| Kosaka Mine |
The Kosaka Mine was one of Japan’s leading copper mines. Located in Akita, it played a pivotal role during the industrialization of the Meiji period. |
Meiji |
Copper |
Reference |
| Iwami Ginzan |
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine made a substantial contribution to the Japanese economy between the 16th and 19th centuries. |
Edo |
Silver |
Reference |
| Ashio Copper Mine |
The Ashio Mine, located in Tochigi Prefecture, was central to Japan’s industrialization and became known for significant environmental and social conflicts, including the 1907 uprising. |
Meiji |
Copper |
Reference |
| Besshi Copper Mine |
Operational since 1691, the Besshi Mine in Ehime Prefecture was fundamental to the development of the Sumitomo Group and to Japan’s metallurgical industry. |
Edo |
Copper |
Reference |
| Hanaoka Mine |
Known for its mining operations in northern Japan and for tragic events associated with World War II, the Hanaoka Mine represents a complex chapter in Japan’s industrial history. |
Meiji |
Copper |
Reference |
| Kamaishi Mine |
Located in Iwate Prefecture, the Kamaishi Mine was a significant center for iron and copper production prior to the modern era, contributing to the metallurgical development of the Tōhoku region. |
Meiji |
Copper |
Reference |
| Tsumo Mine |
Active during the 20th century in Shimane Prefecture, the Tsumo Mine represented one of the last major expressions of large-scale copper extraction in Japan. |
Shōwa |
Copper |
Reference |
| Tada Mine |
The Tada Mine, located in Osaka Prefecture, was historically significant for its extraction of copper and silver, and is considered a site of regional cultural heritage. |
Nara – Shōwa |
Copper |
Reference |
| Yamagano Mine |
Located in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, the Yamagano gold mine was established in 1642 and remained active until 1965. It is one of the oldest modern gold mines in Japan and played a significant role in the mining development of Kyūshū. |
Edo – Shōwa (1642–1965) |
Gold |
Reference |
| Hishikari Mine |
Located in Yūsui, Kagoshima Prefecture, the Hishikari Mine is the only gold mine still in operation in Japan. Active since 1985 and managed by Sumitomo Metal Mining, it is renowned for the high purity of its gold and the use of advanced extraction technologies. |
Shōwa – Reiwa (1985–oggi) |
Gold |
Reference |
| Konomai Mine |
Located in Monbetsu, in northern Hokkaidō, the Konomai gold mine was one of Japan’s most productive during the 20th century. Active between 1917 and 1973, it left a significant industrial legacy in the region and now forms part of the local historical memory. |
Taishō – Shōwa (1917–1973) |
Gold |
Reference |
| Toi Gold Mine |
Located on the Izu Peninsula, the Toi gold mine was one of Japan’s most important medieval gold mines, active since 1370. It was later operated by the Sumitomo Group and remained in use until 1965. Today, it serves as a historical museum open to the public. |
Muromachi – Shōwa (1370–1965) |
Gold |
Reference |
| Kitanoo Mine |
Active in Kitami (Hokkaidō) between 1924 and 1943, the Kitanoo Mine was a significant source of silver in northern Japan. It served as an important mining center during the Shōwa era before its closure during the war. |
Shōwa (1924–1943) |
Silver |
Reference |
| Horobetsu Mine |
The Horobetsu Mine, active from 1898 to 1973 in Noboribetsu (Hokkaidō), was a major gold mining center in northern Japan. Its operations significantly influenced the urban and economic development of the region. |
Meiji – Shōwa (1898–1973) |
Gold |
Reference |
| Ikuno Silver Mine |
The Ikuno Mine, active since the 9th century, is one of the oldest documented mines in Japan, playing a crucial role in the economic development of the feudal period. |
Heian |
Silver |
Reference |
| Fuke Mine |
The Fuke Mine, located in the Kyūshū region, was active in the mid-20th century and is associated with significant silver deposits in the Okuchi area. |
1937–1976 |
Silver |
Reference |
| Toyoha Mine |
The Toyoha Mine in Hokkaidō was one of the world’s major sources of indium and silver, closing in 2006 after decades of advanced industrial operation. |
1899–2006 |
Silver |
Reference |
| Konomai Mine |
Located in Hokkaidō, Konomai was one of Japan’s most productive silver mines during the Shōwa period, leaving a significant historical legacy in the Monbetsu region. |
1917–1973 |
Silver |
Reference |
| Hosokura Mine |
The Hosokura Mine, located in Miyagi Prefecture, was one of Japan’s largest lead and zinc mines. It now hosts a theme park dedicated to mining history. |
Meiji |
Lead/Zinc |
Reference |
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