Sado Kinzan Gold Mine: A Journey Through Japan's Golden Past
Discover Japan's golden heritage at Sado Kinzan Gold Mine, a historic site with tunnels, museums, and stunning industrial ruins.
Explore the historic Sado Kinzan Gold Mine, once Japan's largest gold mine, which supported the Tokugawa Shogunate for centuries. Now a World Heritage Site, visitors can tour the old mining tunnels, view industrial ruins, and even touch a real gold bar.
A brief summary to Sado Kinzan (Sado gold mine)
- 1305 Shimoaikawa, Sado, Shimoaikawa, Niigata, 952-1501, JP
- +81259-74-2389
- Visit website
- Monday 8:30 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 8:30 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 8:30 am-5 pm
- Thursday 8:30 am-5 pm
- Friday 8:30 am-5 pm
- Saturday 8:30 am-5 pm
- Sunday 8:30 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Wear warm clothing, as the temperature inside the mine tunnels remains around 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round.
- Allow at least 1.5 hours to explore the mine and museum adequately.
- Consider purchasing a combined ticket to access both the Sodayu and Doyu Mines for a comprehensive experience.
- Visit the Kitazawa Flotation Plant ruins, a short drive from the mine, to see more of Sado's industrial heritage.
Getting There
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Bus
From Ryotsu Port, the main ferry terminal on Sado Island, take a Niigata Kotsu Sado bus bound for the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check the bus timetable in advance as services may be infrequent. A one-day bus pass costs ¥1,500.
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Car
From Ryotsu Port, follow Route 45 towards Aikawa. The Sado Kinzan Gold Mine is approximately a 45-minute drive. Free parking is available at the mine. Be aware that roads on Sado Island can be narrow with many tunnels.
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Taxi
Taxis are available at Ryotsu Port. A taxi to Sado Kinzan Gold Mine will take approximately 45 minutes. Expect to pay around ¥8,000-¥10,000.
Discover more about Sado Kinzan (Sado gold mine)
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Sado Resort Hotel Azuma
4.1 km
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Ameyano Pier
7.2 km
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Sado Island
7.2 km
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Site of Sawada Castle
12.9 km
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Kokubunji
12.9 km
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Sado Airport
13.6 km
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Sado Tourism Association
16.6 km
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Ryotsu Port
16.6 km
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Toki Watching Tower and Observation Deck "Toki Terrace"
17.1 km
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Shiawase Jizo Statue
25.6 km
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Hananoki
25.7 km
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Yajima Taiken Koryukan
25.9 km
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Sado Futatsugame View Hotel
37.8 km
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Kakuda Misaki Lighthouse
56.7 km
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Hakusan Park
70.1 km
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Unmissable attractions to see
Dōyū no Wareto
0.2 km
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Toukouba Mines Remnants
0.4 km
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Site of Kitazawa Flotation Plant
1.4 km
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Hangamura Museum and Gallery
1.5 km
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Historic Site of Sado Bugyōsho (Sado Magistrate's Office)
1.6 km
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Otowaike pond
4.1 km
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Senkakuwan Bay
5.8 km
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Sado Museum
10.0 km
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Sado History Museum
12.5 km
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Tokinomori Park
14.5 km
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Niibo Museum of History and Folklore
15.2 km
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Sado nishimikawa gold park
16.3 km
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Ushio Shrine
16.4 km
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Seisuiji Temple
16.7 km
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Iwakubi Shoryu Rice Terrace
22.9 km
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Essential places to dine
Kitazawa Terrace
1.4 km
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Kyomachitei
1.5 km
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Itamae no Mise Takeya
1.6 km
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Rabujan (Rabjan)
7.0 km
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Sado Kaiten Sushi Benkei Main Branch
7.9 km
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Sushiya Maruishi
8.8 km
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LOCAVOR-STYLE ajisai
9.8 km
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Restaurant & Bar Kosado
11.4 km
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Chozaburo sushi
14.7 km
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New Katsura
16.4 km
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T&M Bread Delivery SADO Island
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Rikatei
22.4 km
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Noraneko
25.0 km
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Onogame Lodge
36.0 km
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KoshinoyadoTakashimaya
61.3 km
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Meotoiwa
5.3 km
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Isetan
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Nagate Cape
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empty clothing store from SADO
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Home Center Musashi Sado Sawata
8.0 km
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Shoes Plaza Sado
8.1 km
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BOOKOFF
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Joshin Sado
8.2 km
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Tsutaya Books Sado Sawada
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Hirasei Sado
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DAISO
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A Coop Sado Kanai
9.8 km
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Henjin Mokko
14.4 km
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Sado-miyage Ebisushōji
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Sadokisen Ryotsu terminal Baiten store
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
媼と翁
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Sushika
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Night Spot J1
2.1 km
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Vogue
7.0 km
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コルディアinHearts
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地酒BAR 東雲(しののめ)
9.7 km
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Oasis
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La Barque de Dionysos
11.6 km
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Noroma
14.6 km
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t0ki brewery トキブルワリー
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Cherry
16.2 km
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Tom
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Pub オデオン
16.2 km
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スナックC音(しおん)
16.2 km
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Serina
16.2 km
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