On July 27, 2024, the World Heritage Committee meeting in India recognized the universal value of the gold and silver mines on Sado Island and registered the "Sado Island Gold Mines" as a World Cultural Heritage site. Please take this opportunity to enjoy sightseeing to learn more about the "Gold Mines of Sado Island".
Sado Island Gold Mines (UNESCO)
Sado Island Gold Mines
The "Sado Island Gold Mines" consists of three components.
Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine
The Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine is Sado’s oldest placer gold mine and is presumed to have appeared in the Heian period’s (794–1195) “Tales of Times Now Past .” In Nishimikawa, alluvial gold panning was carried out using a method called “Onagashi” (great flow). The relics of reservoirs and channels in various parts of the mountains around the settlements and those of scraped mountains for alluvial gold panning still remain in good condition.
Tsurushi Silver Mine
The Tsurushi Silver Mine, Sado’s largest silver mine, is said to have been discovered in 1542. More than 600 mining sites have been identified, showing various mining techniques from different times. Methods such as cupellation, which uses lead to extract silver from ore, were introduced from the Iwami Silver Mine in Oda City, Shimane Prefecture.
Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine
Full-scale development of the Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine began in the Edo period (1603–1868). Large quantities of gold and silver produced were used as currency, greatly supporting the country’s finances.
Sado is the only mine in Japan that conducted operations from mining through to minting koban coins. These processes were vividly depicted in picture scrolls, more than 100 of which still remain.
For more information, see " Gold Mine on Sado Island (Sado)."
Explore the "Sado Island Gold Mines"
Historic Site Sado Gold Mine
In "Historic Site Sado Gold Mine", there are many relics that tell the long history from the Edo period to the Meiji era, and until the stop of operation in the Heisei period, blending into the rich nature and left everywhere.Most of the mines, mining facilities, and smelting facilities that dot the vast site are designated as national important cultural properties, historic sites, and industrial modernization heritage sites.It is a very valuable heritage that is unprecedented in the world where you can see almost all of the changes in mining technology and production system over 400 years.
For more information, Historic Site Sado Gold Mine
Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park
Nishimikawa gold mine with a thousand-year history on Sado, the island of gold
There is no exact record of the discovery of the Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mines, but it is mentioned in the Konjaku Monogatari (Tales of Ancient Times) around 1100 AD.
The Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine was of great use as a military fund for Kenshin Uesugi,famous samura and a large amount of placer gold was mined during the Toyotomi and Tokugawa Shogun periods.
It is said that the history of gold and silver mines on Sado Island began with the discovery of the Nishimikawa placer gold mine in the Heian period(794-1185 AD).
Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park is a hands-on museum where you can learn all about gold.
For more information, please contact Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park (Sado Sightseeing Navi)
Sado Gold and Silver Mine Information Center "Kirarium Sado"
Providing great opportunities to learn both historical facts and about the continuing appeal of Sado Gold and Silver Mine
A gateway to the mine, Information Center Kirarium Sado serves as a base for exploring the site. The center will navigate you through the historical value and attractions of the mine in an easy-to-follow manner, using a variety of videos and scroll paintings. The center also utilizes guide maps and apps to provide useful information about the site and to recommend walking routes.
For more information Sado Gold and Silver Mine Guidance Facility [Kirariumu Sado].
Congratulations! "Sado Island Gold Mines" is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site now!
Discover an island where Oni demons are venerated as divine incarnations, brought to life with art, cuisine, and music at the Sado Island Heritage Festival 2024!
Sado, the largest island in scale in the Sea of Japan, is the largest of the remote islands on the Sea of Japan side, and its maritime climate allows visitors to enjoy seasonal foods and sports. It is also becoming increasingly popular as an attractive destination for long-term stays, where traditional culture as represented by onidaiko, or devil's drums, is still alive and well, and is attracting attention as a destination for immigration.
Inaugurating in 2024, the "Sado Island Heritage Festival" promises events that celebrates the performing arts and culinary delights shaped by the island's rich history and diverse climate.
Period: Sun, September 1, 2024 - Sun, October 27, 2024
Location: Historic Site "Sado Gold Mine" (Parking Lot No. 3 and Takato Park on site)
For more information, SSado Island Heritage Festival
Sado Gold Mine Evening Experience
The "Sado Gold Mine," registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site, will be transformed into a fantastic space that you cannot usually experience!
The Historic Site Sado Gold Mine, which is not usually open to the public, will be opened to the public at night and illuminated by projection mapping and the lighting up of Doyu no Warido, the symbol of the "Sado Island Gold Mine, For a limited time only, the Doyu no Warido, the symbol of the "Gold Mine on Sado Island," will be illuminated. Visitors can enjoy an extraordinary space while walking from the Doyu Kogen exit to just below the Doyu Wari-do
Special Ticket Set
For the duration of the special events above, this discount set will get you a Sado Kisen Ferry Ticket, stay in a Premium Room, and an event ticket.
GASTRONOMY on Sado Island
One-night-only open-air gastronomy dinner on Sado Island, the island where "demons," incarnations of gods, live and breathe, and the site of Japan's largest gold mine, Zipangu, the Land of Gold.
Using the rich ingredients of Sado Island, Gastronomy will pair wood-fired cooking with regional sake and special wines to be enjoyed with local entertainment. The chef for Gastronomy will be the chef of DINIG OUT WAJIMA with LEXUS in 2019, who was fascinated by Japanese food culture and ingredients when he came to Japan as the chef of DINIG OUT WAJIMA with LEXUS, and will be the executive chef of SMOKE DOOR in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture in 2022, attracting attention from gastronomes in Japan and abroad. Mr. Tyler Burgis, who has been attracting attention from gourmets in Japan and abroad.
This premium dinner will be held at Takatoh Park, where you can view the illuminated Doyu no Warido, and you will enjoy a seven-course meal starring Sado ingredients, paired with sake and wine, both products of Sado Island.
Shimamu Jazz in Sado Island
"Island Dream in Sado IslandJazz Festival" is a free jazz festival held on Sado Island. The event, held in August 2023, featured 11 artists from Japan and abroad, and a special theme song, "Shimayume ~Island Dream~," performed in collaboration with Sado's world-class taiko drumming group, Kodo. The 2023 event was a hit, so we are looking forward to the 2024 show!
Sado Island Attractions
Sado Island is not only a gold and silver mine. Sado Island is full of attractions including experiences such as Tub Boats (Tarai-Bune) and Taiko drumming, Marine Activities such as Kayaking, SUP, and diving, Gourmet Cuisine such as fresh Seafood and Japanese Sake, Japanese Traditional Performing Arts such as onidaiko and Sado Okesa,over 400 Temples and Shrines; and great nature such as Ibis Forests, Futatsugame and Onokame. There are various types of accomodation facilities onthe Island. Whether for a day trip or overnight stay, Sado island awaits your visit.
For more information, please visit Sado Sightseeing Navi
