Oirase Mine is the largest mine in the Orient! Exploring the mines at a huge photogenic ruin! [Kakunodate City, Akita Prefecture]

sugar
2018.09.09
Last updated: 2025.04.2

table of contents

1 Two tour courses are available
2 Industrial Course (Surban Facilities Visit)
3 Ishikirizawa Todoromous Mine Course (Inside the Mine)
4 Access to Osarizawa Mine
5 summary
- 5.1 Oirase Mine <Information>

The Osarizawa Mine is the largest mine in the Orient. It was designated as a Modern Industrial Heritage by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in November 2007

It is said that the plant was mined mainly from copper, but it closed in 1978. Previously, it was operated as a theme park called Mineland Oirase, but in 2008 a historic Oirase Mine .

This time, we will introduce this world-class Oirase Mine.

Two tour courses are available

There are two tour courses available. One is an industrial course (visiting suburban facilities) . This is a sight of the remains of the mines, separators called sickers, and large chimneys, and the area appears to be a huge ruin.

The other the Ishikirizawa Dooroku Mine Course (see inside the mine) where you actually enter the mine, and the 1,700m long mine tunnel gives off a deep atmosphere in the dungeon.

The mine tunnel course is also recommended for those who like adventure, as it has a surreal feel to it.

Industrial Course (Surban Facilities Visit)

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Utsusemi (@h_o_t_c)

Huge ruins appear

As you drive through a mountain road, your eyes suddenly open up and you can see the reddish mountain surface and large chimneys. It has become a bald mountain due to smoke pollution from mining.

The chimney is 60m high. It has been certified as a civil engineering heritage site. Below the chimney, the ruins of an ore processing plant, which looks like a huge ruin, are spread out. Due to the risk of collapse, it is not possible to go near it.

There are many people holding cameras and taking pictures from a distance.

Thickener emerald catches the eye

In the middle of the ore processing plant ruins, there is a settling pond that is a thickener (separation device). It was used in the process of separating solids from liquids.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Yūki Ohnishi (@o_nish1226)

Because the main solid material was copper, the pond has a beautiful emerald green color (copper turns blue when it oxidizes). The surrounding buildings have turned into ruins and are dyed in dull colors, giving the Emerald Pond an unusual and sacred feel.

In the past, if you were accompanied by a guide, you could go close to the thickener. However, due to the effects of the earthquake, it has since been only visible from public roads.

Guided tour recommended

Tours of underground facilities are even more enjoyable with a guide. Guided tours by microbus are planned for 10 to 25 people.

The price is 1,800 yen for adults, 1,440 yen for seniors and junior high and high school students, and 1,080 yen for elementary school students.

Individual visits are also available. A guide for individuals is also provided once a month. In that case, you will need to call and inquire (0186-22-0123 Oirase Mining Management Golden Sado Co., Ltd.).
They are very flexible in terms of the number of people and the time, so it's a good idea to share your wishes with you.

Guided tours of the underground facilities are offered as a set with tours inside the mine shaft. Tour time is approximately 2 hours.

Ishikirizawa Todoromous Mine Course (Inside the Mine)

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cact (@cact0801)

Choose from 1.7km and 1.1km courses

The mine tunnel tour course will take you to the inside of the mine tunnel, which is approximately 1.7km long. The mines originally last for over 10km. You will be visiting some of them.
However, it is 1.7km long, so it takes about 45 minutes. For those who want to see it in a more compact way, there is also a 1.1km course (about 30 minutes).

The fee for the tunnel tour is 1,000 yen for adults, 800 yen for junior high and high school students, and 600 yen for elementary school students. The price remains the same for both the 1.7km and 1.1km courses.

Features inside the mine shaft

The inside of the mine is characterized by being extremely cool even in summer. If you wear light clothes, you will feel chilly. It is better to bring a jacket.

There is a long space above my head that I can't see what's ahead. You can experience the largest mine shaft in the East.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tayu (@rchnfhe)

Inside, there are many dolls set up to give you a good idea of what working and life was like in the mines during the Edo period. It is designed to leave a visual impression.

At that time, it is said that there were many hidden Christians in the mines. If you look carefully, you can see a cross carved into the rock.

Outside the mine shaft, there is a gold panning experience corner and a go-kart track.

A souvenir shop is set up outside the tunnel. There you can experience pure gold dust, natural stones, and gold leaf pasting. Most people who come to the mine are engrossed in collecting gold dust.
It is apparently that the gold mined here was used at Chusonji Kinjido.

Although it has nothing to do with the mine, there is also a go-kart race track. It is a leisure spot that you can enjoy with your family.

Access to Osarizawa Mine

You will arrive at Oirase Mine in about 10 minutes from Kakunodate Hachimantai IC on the Tohoku Expressway. By train, you can get there in about 10 minutes by taxi from Kakunodate Hanawa Station on the Hanawa Line.

The bus is 25 minutes from in front of Kakunodate Hanawa Station and its final stop is Oirase Mine. Buses are not available during winter due to operation from April to November. The mine is open year-round.

summary

we have introduced the Oirase Mine, a world-renowned wonder spot that only a few people know about in Akita Its scale is one of the largest in the East, and you'll be amazed by its impressive scale.

Nowadays, grass has encroached on the huge facility, creating a nice harmony between the ruins and nature. The impressive scene that foreshadows life and death is very photogenic, and many people go there to capture it on film.