About a 10-minute drive from Arao Station on the JR Kagoshima Main Line Show route
Op.Hours
Tuesday - Sunday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Cld.Days
Mondays
Fee
Adults: ¥600, High school students: ¥300, Junior high and elementary school students: ¥200, Infants: Free
INFO
Reservations are required for tours. The mine shafts are cool and humid, so please dress accordingly. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended. Photography is prohibited inside the underground mine shafts.
Mitsui Miike Coal Mine Manda Shaft is a coal mine that opened during the Meiji era and is a significant industrial heritage site that supported Japan's modernization. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015 and has attracted attention from both within Japan and abroad. At Manda Shaft, tours are offered that allow visitors to explore the mine tunnels. The tour showcases the original mining equipment and machinery, allowing you to experience the vitality and weighty atmosphere of that time firsthand. By exploring the tunnels, you can also imagine the harsh working conditions of the miners and the advanced technology employed in coal mining. Above ground, you can explore facilities such as the coal washing plant and offices. These buildings remain as they were, telling the story of the mine's history. Manda Shaft is a precious place to learn about the history and technology that underpinned Japan's modernization. Please visit and experience the hardships and skills of the miners of that time.