Sado Gold Mine

史跡佐渡金山

Embark on a journey through the fascinating history of Japan's largest gold mine!

The Sado Gold Mine served as Japan's largest gold and silver mine from 1601 to 1989. Remnants of its 400-year history, like tunnel ruins and mining facilities, have earned prestigious designations as National Important Cultural Properties, Historic Sites, and Heritages of Industrial Modernization. The site is also a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.

The Sado Gold Mine offers two routes accessible without reservation, each taking around 30-40 minutes. For larger groups or those with a keen interest in history, guided tours are also recommended, which run from April to November and take 70-100 minutes (reservations required). One tour is for groups of 10 or more from elementary school and above, while the other is for smaller groups of up to 10, junior high school-aged or older.

Afterwards, head down to the Kitazawa Floatation Plant, a vital part of the Sado Gold Mine operations, and a popular photo spot reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki's film Laputa: Castle in the Sky. It was the first location in Japan where copper production technology was successfully adapted for the extraction of gold and silver.

Area: Sado Area

Category: History and Culture

General Information

Address	新潟県新潟県佐渡市下相川1305
Directions	・Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port Jetfoil (high-speed boat): 65 min Car ferry: 2 hrs 30 min ・Naoetsu Port to Ogi Port Car ferry: 2 hrs 40 min Not operational during winter. Check the official website for details. ●By Car/Bus: ・Car From Ryotsu Port: Approx. 60 min., or approx. 90 min via Osado Skyline road. ・Bus From Ryotsu Port: Take the bus bound for "Sadokinzan" (approx. 70 min.). Or take the bus bound for "Aikawa" (approx. 60 min.), and get off at "Aikawa" and transfer to the bus bound for "Sadokinzan" (approx. 10 min.). ・Car From Ogi Port: Approx. 80 min. ・Bus From Ogi Port: Take the bus bound for "Aikawa" (approx. 90 min.). Get off at "Aikawa" and transfer to the bus bound for "Sadokinzan" (approx. 10 min.). The bus bound for "Aikawa" connects to the "Akane" bus arrival.
Car Park	Approx. 500 cars (free of charge)
Opening Times	April to October: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm November to March: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm *Please enter at least 30 minutes before the end of day.
Prices	Varies depending on the tour and number of people; see the website for details.
Notes	Tour periods differ depending on the specific tour. Some tours do not require reservations, while others do. *All tour tickets include the museum.