Sado Kinzan is said to have been founded in 1601 by three mountain priests.
Two years later, the mine became the shogunate’s territory, and it continued to support the Tokugawa government’s finances.
During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the mine became a government-run mine, and mechanization and modernization were promoted by inviting engineers from the West, contributing to the modernization of Japan.
The mine produced 78 tons of gold and 2,330 tons of silver in the 400 years until it was shut down in 1989. The distance of the tunnels excavated in the modern period alone is approximately 400 km.
Numerous remains, including tunnel sites, mining facilities, and smelting facilities, have been designated as National Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
April - October 8:00-17:30
November - March: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Open all year round
Edo Kinzan Picture Scroll Course
Adults 900 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 450 yen
Meiji Government Mine Course
Adults 900 yen
Elementary/junior high school students: 450 yen
Guided tour to explore the mines
Adults 2,400 yen
Elementary/junior high school students: 1,200 yen
Edo/Meiji Tunnel Tour
Adults 1,400 yen
Elementary/junior high school students: 700 yen
≪By bus
From Ryotsu Port to “Sadokinzan” (approx. 70 min.)
Take the bus bound for “Aikawa” (approx. 60 min.), get off at “Aikawa”, and transfer to the bus bound for “Sadokinzan” (approx. 10 min.).
From Ogi Port to “Aikawa” (approx. 90 min.), get off at “Aikawa” and transfer to “Sadokinzan” (approx. 10 min.)