Yu-no-oku museum of Gold Mining History/Japan

Yu-no-oku Museum is in the “Shimobe Hot Spring” town.

This hot spring is said to be a secret place of the famous military commander “Shingen Takeda” in the 1500's.
In the nearby mountain there is gold mine developed by him and trace of mining is seen.
There are various kinds of exhibits at the museum and you can  enjoy gold panning in the pool.
The “Gold Mine Museum Goldpanning Championship” is held once a year for two days.
This championship is the largest number of participants in Japan. The first day is an ordinary person, on the second day school competition which is a rare program in the world.
Also, lovers of gold digging gather at this place on holidays.

 

Address:Minobu-tyo Minamikuma-gun Yamanashi-ken

Homepage of Yu-no-oku museum of Gold Mining History

https://www.town.minobu.lg.jp/kinzan/

Oppara Dream Union/Japan

Oppara Dream Union manages camping site and nature experience events near the road station "Pascal Kiyomi".

It is in the mountainous area of the western side from Takayama-city where old Japanese streets remain.
There was a small gold mine nearby. You can experience gold panning in the pool at the Nature Experience Center and you can receive guidance on mineral collection in the river.

The “Hida-takayama Gold Panning Championship” is held once a year.


Address: Oppara Kiyomi-tyo Takayama-city Gifu-ken

Homepage of Oppara Dream Association

http://hidayume.com/

Homepage of road station ‘Pasukaru Kiyomi’

http://pascalkiyomi.jp/

Old townscape of Takayama-city

 

  These are festival cars ’Yatai’ used at the Takayama Festival

Venue for gold panning competition

Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park/Japan

This facility is located in Sado Island, and it is necessary to cross from Niigata-city by ferry.

Placer gold was discovered in this area around 1100, and a large amount of gold dug in the 1600s. In this facility, you can experience gold panning in the pool.

Home page of Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park

http://www.e-sadonet.tv/~goldpark/

Sado-city tourist information site

https://www.visitsado.com/spot/detail0009/

Sado Gold Mine/Japan

The mine was developed around 1600 and closed in 1989. This is the largest gold and silver mine in Japan, and this mine produced about 80 tons of gold and 2,300 tons of silver during the 400 years.

There is a tour around historic sites such as tunnels.

Address: Shimoaikawa Sado-shi Niigata-ken Japan

Homepage of Sado Gold Mine

http://www.sado-kinzan.com/en/

Gold Park Narumi/Japan

This Narumi Gold Mine was discovered in the year 802, and it produced 1/3 of the total output in Japan around 1600.

It closed down in 1945. The “Gold Park Narumi” was maintained in this place.
We can tour the mine and take gold panning in the pool.
This theme park hand down the history of mining to future generations.


Address: Takane Murakami-shi Niigata-ken

Homepage of Murakami City

http://www.city.murakami.lg.jp/site/kanko/narumikinzan.html

Tenpyou Romankan/japan

This is the first place where gold was discovered in Japan in 749.It was presented to the Emperor and used for plating Todaiji Great Buddha. Current appearance of Great Buddha is bronze color, but at the time of construction, it was plated by the gold amalgam method.

Many goods related to gold  are displayed in Tenpyou Romankan.

Also, you can experience gold panning in the pool. Even now, placer gold can be collected around this area, but mining is prohibited in the historic site area.
You can buy goods related to gold at the shop.

Address:Ogonyama Wakuya-tyo Tooda-gun Miyagi-ken

Homepage of Tenpei Roman Palace

http://www.tenpyou.jp/

Yookan(sweet jelly made from bean jam) with gold leaf

Osarizawa Mine/Japan

Osarizawa mine is a copper mine, it was discovered around 700 and started full-scale since 1600 and closed in 1978.

"Historic Site of Ozorasawa Mine" was built on the former site.

You can observe industrial sites such as mining and refining fields.

In the old days, gold digging was done in this nearby river. You can experience gold panning in the pool at the site of this mine.

Address: Shishikozawa Osarizawa Kazuno-shi Akita-ken

The homepage of this mine

http://www.osarizawa.jp/

Rekifune-river Gold Mining Experience/japan

Since around 1635, "beach gold" was dug in the coast of Rekifune River, and around 1900 the mining of "river gold" in the Rekifune River reached its peak.

The place where we can dig placer gold is the Rekifune River in front of Kamuikotan Park, and there are volunteer managers.

Individuals can borrow Japanese tools ”Yuriita” and “Catcha” at the roadside station Cosmol Taiki.

When group wants instructor, reservation to Taiki Town Sightseeing Association  is necessary.

Address: [Kamuikotan park] aza-Oda Taiki-tyo Hiroo-gun Hokkaido
http://www.town.taiki.hokkaido.jp/soshiki/kikaku/shoko/camp.html

Roadside station”Kosumoru Taiki”

http://www.hokkaido-michinoeki.jp/michinoeki/2483/

Taiki Town Sightseeing Association

http://www.town.taiki.hokkaido.jp/soshiki/kikaku/shoko/gold_rush.html