[Akita Prefecture] Kosaka Town is a town that has taken you back in time to the Meiji era. Cultural heritage left behind by Kosaka Mine

Kosaka Town is a town located in the northeastern part of Akita Prefecture, bordering Aomori Prefecture. The Tohoku Expressway and National Route 282 run through the center of the town.

National Route 282 used to be called Tsugaru Kaido (different from the Tsugaru Kaido in the song), Nanbu Expressway , Kazuno Expressway , Nigorikawa Expressway It was an important road connecting the feudal domains (Mutsu Province, Tsugaru Domain, and Aomori Prefecture). It is also a town deep in the mountains, with Kosaka town occupying about a quarter of the shore of Lake Towada.

Kosaka developed greatly with the discovery of the Kosaka Mine.

Promising mines have been discovered near Kosaka Town since the Edo period, and the area borders the Nanbu Domain (Mutsu Province, Fukushima Prefecture, Aomori Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture) and the Kubota Domain (Dewa Province/Akita Domain/Akita Prefecture). ), and it seems that there were constant disputes over the border with the Hirosaki domain.

Kosaka belongs to the Nanbu domain, and a mine was discovered in the 1820s, and in 1861, the town began to develop in earnest with the Kosaka Mine

Incorporated into Akita prefecture in the Meiji era

During the Boshin War (1868-1869), which broke out during the transition from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era, the Nanbu domain, which supported the former shogunate, attacked the Kubota domain, which had defected to the new government. In this battle, both clans suffered many casualties. The Boshin War ended in victory for the new government forces, and Kazuno County, including Kosaka, was incorporated into Akita Prefecture.

The Kosaka Mine also left the management of the Nanbu domain and became a mine under the direct control of the Meiji government. Later, in 1884 (Meiji 17), it was sold to a private company and further developed.

Kosaka Mine was developed by Fujita Gumi into one of Japan's leading copper mines.

, Fujita Gumi (currently DOWA Holdings/formerly Dowa Mining Co., Ltd.) which was entrusted with management by the Meiji government , modernized the mine and introduced the latest smelting technology. In 1907 (Meiji 40), it became the mine with the largest production volume in Japan. It is said that the amount was more than eight times the Akita Prefecture revenue settlement amount at the time.

The Fujita family, the founding family of Fujita-gumi, were businessmen who moved from Hagi in the Choshu domain (Yamaguchi Prefecture) to Osaka at the end of the Edo period, and were involved in mine management at the Kosaka Mine, as well as in Ehime, Shimane, Iwate, and Okayama.

Fusanosuke Kuhara, who created the foundation for the modernization of Kosaka Mine

Fujita-gumi had two excellent managers. Kuhara Fusanosuke (1869-1965) , a relative of the Fujita family, who joined the Fujita Gumi in 1891 (Meiji 24) at the age of 22 and was assigned to the Kosaka Mine . Fusanosuke poured his heart and soul into developing a new smelting technology for black ore (a complex ore containing copper and lead) in order to turn around the Kosaka Mine, which was in poor business when he joined the company. In 1900 (Meiji 33), he became the director at the age of 31, and with the success of his new technology, a new light was shined on the Kosaka Mine.

Fusanosuke placed top priority not only on technology, but also on improving the welfare of his employees and contributing to the local community.He established a post office and fire brigade within the mine, and built a power plant for the mine. a ``Kosaka Bunko'' donated by Fusanosuke , and a scholarship society has been established at the mine.

In 1905 (Meiji 38), the three-story wooden Renaissance-style mine office (Kosaka Mine Office/Nationally designated Important Cultural Property) was completed as the symbol of the Kosaka Mine.

Fusanosuke Kuhara became active as a member of the Diet after leaving Fujita Gumi.

Fusanosuke resigned from the Fujita Gumi in 1905 (Meiji 38) due to a dispute over the Fujita family, and the director of the Kosaka Mine was Denzaburo Fujita (1841-1912), ) will take over.

After Fusanosuke Kuhara left Fujita Gumi, he acquired a mine in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture and established Hitachi Mining. Due to Fusanosuke's popularity, many talented people from Kosaka Mine followed him. Among them was Namihei Odaira (1874-1951), an electrical engineer who founded Hitachi, Ltd. 15 years later. Fusanosuke entered politics after World War I, became a member of the House of Representatives, and served as president of the Rikken Seiyukai.After World War II, as a member of the House of Representatives, he worked to restore Japan-China and Japan-Soviet relations (see: Modern Japanese (Portrait of National Diet Library)

Denzaburo Fujita has developed welfare, education, infrastructure, and urban planning.

Denzaburo Fujita, who took on the management of the Kosaka Mine in earnest, inherited Fusanosuke Kuhara's philosophy and not only expanded the mine, but also developed Kosaka into the town with the second largest population in Akita Prefecture. Denzaburo's reforms covered a wide range of issues, including not only internal issues within the mine, such as improving employee treatment and improving hygiene, but also building an elementary school, opening a kindergarten called "Misono Mariaen," and donating educational supplies. It spans. In addition, he focused on improving the town's infrastructure, building a shopping district and entertainment district through city planning, constructing water supplies, improving roads, constructing a railway between Odate and Kosaka, and opening a general hospital that was said to be the best in Akita Prefecture at the time. .

We also focused on employee welfare, and in 1910 (Meiji 43), we opened the playhouse "Korakukan" (a nationally designated important cultural property) Kabuki, plays, and concerts were held at the Korakukan, providing great entertainment for employees, their families, and local residents. (Reference: Mine Management and Management Creed - From the Case of Kosaka Mine in Fujita Gumi (1884-1925) Management Essays by Kiyomi Takahashi)

Closing of the Kosaka Mine and abolishment of the Kosaka Railway

The Kosaka Mine was closed in 1990 due to ore depletion. Furthermore, in 1994 (Heisei 6), the passenger service of Kosaka Railway was discontinued, and in 2009 (Heisei 21), Kosaka Railway was abolished.

Although the Kosaka Mine is no longer mined for minerals, it continues to exist under the name Kosaka Seiren Co., Ltd., and has recently become the world's largest producer of about 20 types of metals, including gold, silver, copper, and lead, from household appliances. We are expanding our activities as a recycling smelter.

Kosaka Town relaunched as a tourist destination by improving Meiji Hyakunen Street

Although Kosaka Town has become completely deserted, a plan has been launched to improve the town using the remains of the Kosaka Mine. First, in 1985 (Showa 60), there was a large-scale renovation of the playhouse "Korakukan." The following year, the previously closed ``Korakukan'' was reopened.

Starting in 1990, it took five years to develop the road in front of Korakukan into a road with a Meiji-style atmosphere, with stone pavement, brick lining, and gas lamp-style street lights. was named Meiji Hyakunen Street In 2001 (Heisei 13), the former Kosaka Mine Office was relocated and restored along Meiji Hyakunen Dori.

Meiji Centenary Street＜Information＞

• Name: Meiji Hyakunen Street
• Location: Kosaka Mine, Kosaka-cho, Kazuno-gun, Akita Prefecture
• access:
  • Railway: Take the Shukoku Bus from Odate Station on the JR Ou Main Line, or the Shuhoku Bus bound for Kosakacho from Kazuno-Hanawa Station or Towada-minami Station on the JR Hanawa Line.
  • Car: Approximately 4 minutes from Kosaka IC on the Tohoku Expressway

Google Map

Korakukan, a playhouse that has been around since the Meiji era

Korakukan is a wooden playhouse that was established as a welfare facility for the Kosaka Mine in 1910 (Meiji 43), and general performances resumed in 1986 (Showa 61) after being temporarily suspended. .

As the central facility on Meiji Hyakunen Street, regular plays, revue performances, and Shochiku Grand Kabuki are performed from late April to early November. It is possible to tour the inside of the building. The building has been designated as a national important cultural property.

Korakukan＜Information＞

• Facility name: Meiji playhouse/Korakukan
• Location: Meiji Hyakunen Street
• Phone number: 0186-29-3732 (Korakukan)
• Theater fee:
• Regular play (facility tour included) / Adults (high school students and above) 2,500 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) 1,250 yen
• Shochiku Grand Kabuki/separate fee (please inquire for dates, fees, etc.)
• Tour fee (with guide): 700 yen for individuals
• Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00
• Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
• URL: Korakukan

Google Map

Kosaka Mine Office, a nationally designated important cultural property

The Kosaka Mine Office was built in 1905 (Meiji 38), and in 2001 (Heisei 13) it was moved from the Kosaka Mine site to Meiji Hyakunen Dori and restored. The building is a large three-story wooden building with rooms extending into the back, and its gorgeous European Renaissance-style exterior shows the prosperity of the Kosaka Mine.

You can tour the inside of the building, and the third floor is a museum that introduces the Kosaka mine equipment from the Meiji period. The building is a nationally designated important cultural property and a heritage of industrial modernization.

Kosaka Mine Office <Information>

• Facility name: Kosaka Mine Office
• Location: Meiji Hyakunen Street
• Phone number: 0186-29-5522 (Kosaka Mine Office)
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
• Admission fee: 380 yen for adults, 200 yen for children
• Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
• URL: Kosaka Mine Office

Google Map

Seien Mariaen, an early childhood education facility established by Kosaka Mine

Seien Maria-en is a Catholic early childhood education facility established in 1932 (Showa 7) for Kosaka Mine employees, and is located along Meiji Hyakunen Dori. Currently, the building has been restored to its original form and is used as a place for local gatherings and exchanges as the ``Tenshi-kan.'' It can be visited and is a nationally registered tangible cultural property.

Sanctuary Maria Garden＜Information＞

• Facility name: Multipurpose hall “Tenshikan” (Sacred Garden Mary Garden)
• Location: Meiji Hyakunen Street
• Phone number: 0186-29-5522 (Kosaka Mine Office)
• Free tour

Google Map

"Red Brick Club" was originally the Kosaka Mine power distribution station

The Red Brick Club was originally built in 1904 (Meiji 37) as a power distribution station to supply electricity (formerly the Kosaka Mine Works Department Power Generation Room), and is located between the Kosaka Mine Office and Korakukan on Meiji Hyakunen Dori. It was relocated and restored to the International Exchange Plaza in . It is a characteristic building similar to the Tomioka Silk Mill (World Heritage Site and National Treasure/Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture), with a wooden frame but a brick-covered wall. It is used as a cafe. The Red Brick Club is a nationally registered tangible cultural property.

Red Brick Club <Information>

• Facility name: Kosaka Town Red Brick Nigiwaikan “Red Brick Club”
• Location: Meiji Hyakunen Street
• Phone number: 0186-25-8225 (Red Brick Club)
• Business hours: 10:00-16:00
• Closed: Thursdays, winter holidays
• URL: Red Brick Club

Google Map

“Kosaka Railway Rail Park” is a railway world that uses the ruins of the former Kosaka Railway.

Kosaka Railway Rail Park is a railway theme park built on the site of the former Kosaka Station of the Kosaka Railway. Centered on the station building (formerly Kosaka Railway Book Store) and platform (both nationally registered tangible cultural properties) that existed when it opened in 1909, the locomotive shed (nationally registered tangible cultural property) built in 1962 (Showa 37) and the lead-in. Using existing facilities such as railway lines, the DD130 diesel locomotive, Blue Train Akebono, Russell car, and No. 11 steam locomotive that were used on the Kosaka Railway are on display. In addition, experiences such as rail biking and sightseeing trolley rides that tour abandoned railway sites are very popular with families and railway enthusiasts.

As of 2023, accommodation on the Blue Train Akebono is suspended due to vehicle maintenance. We are currently preparing for reopening in spring 2024. We are also planning crowdfunding using the hometown tax payment system (please contact us for details).

Kosaka Railway Rail Park <Information>

• Facility name: Kosaka Railway Rail Park
• Location: 20-9 Furukawa, Kosakamine, Kosaka-machi, Kazuno-gun, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-25-8890
• Business period: April 1st to November 23rd
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
• Rides are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (excluding public holidays)
• Admission fee: 600 yen for adults, 300 yen for children, free for infants (only if accompanied by a guardian)
• For information on experience fees, business days, ride suspension days, etc., please refer to the official website or contact us.
• URL: Kosaka Railway Rail Park

Google Map

The remains of Kosaka Mining Hospital, which was the largest general hospital in Akita Prefecture at the time of its construction.

The former Kosaka Mining Hospital Memorial Building is the only remaining structure of the Kosaka Mining Hospital, a general hospital that opened in 1908 (Meiji 41). The hospital was destroyed in a fire in 1949 (Showa 24) and was later rebuilt, but this memorial building remains as it was in the past. Nationally registered tangible cultural property.

Former Kosaka Mining Hospital Memorial Building <Information>

• Facility name: Former Kosaka Mining Hospital Memorial Building
• Location: 48-2 Furudate, Kosakamine, Kosaka-machi, Kazuno-gun, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-29-5522 (Kosaka Mine Office)

Google Map