[Niigata/Sado] Guided yamashi tour for advanced users (junior high school students and above)

Important mountain pit (Ohgiri Yamakou) national historic site. Completed in 1647. A drawing from 1695 (Genroku 8). The parallel tunnel of the important mountain pit is drawn in red.

[Highlight 1] [Highlight 1] Mikata Yojiemon, a charlatan in the early Edo period, believed that "There must be a gold vein ahead!" It is said that he dug a 400m tunnel and finally discovered a large mine in 1647 and made a lot of money. If you rely on your helmet and flashlight, you will feel like a charlatan before you know it!

[Highlight 2] Mikata Yojiemon predicted that the tunnel would be longer, and dug two parallel tunnels at the same time to prevent air shortages, and penetrated several places along the way to circulate the air. You can still clearly see the two parallel tunnels and the penetration point, and I am amazed at the high level of technology at that time.

①Important mountain pit entrance. It has a mysterious atmosphere.

② Near the entrance of the important mountain pit (the ceiling is high so that the Sado magistrate can enter while riding a horse)

③ Proceed inside the important mountain pit.

④Precious parallel tunnel. Marvel at the high level of technology from 400 years ago!

⑤ Penetration point. Fresh air was circulated here.

⑥ Traces of rails for trolleys (after the Meiji period).

⑦The quietness and mystery of the mining site will make you lose your voice!

(8) Overwhelmingly large-scale mining sites (after the Meiji period)

⑨ Turn off the lights all at once and experience “true darkness”! (I can't see anything!)

Mumyō Ikō During the Edo period, red rocks were mined as the raw material for Mumyoi ware, a specialty of Sado. Since the Meiji era, gold veins have been discovered and redeveloped, and in the mid-Showa period, we continued trial drilling in search of gold veins. After that, explore an abandoned mine that has been forgotten for many years with the guidance of our guide, relying on helmets and lights!

① To the world of darkness

② Red rocks in the tunnel (raw materials for Mumyoi ware)

③Trolley tracks

④Fork in the tunnel

⑤ Proceed deep into the dark tunnel

⑥ Outside light in the depths of the tunnel

⑦ Bulletin board in the tunnel