Historic Site Sado Gold Mine

NIIGATA CULTURE

史跡佐渡金山

The Sado Gold Mine developed on Sado Island, an island with rich gold mines, developed from the late 16th century through the mid 19th century, originally managed operated directly by the Tokugawa Shogunate following a unique system, unlike mines operated under European influence, during Japan’s policy of isolationism when technological exchange with foreign countries was limited.
This site is a rare heritage that demonstrates the large scale gold production system, based on manual labor, that continued for over 250 years, producing gold at world-class gold in terms of both quality and volume.

Open to the public as one of the main gold mines in the World Heritage Site “The Sado Island Gold Mines” designated in 2024, the Historic Site Sado Gold Mine allows visitors to tour both hand dug tunnels and dig sites from the Edo period and machine dug tunnels from the the Meiji period and later.

Experience the wonder of the history of the World Heritage Site “The Sado Island Gold Mines” at the Historic Site Sado Gold Mine.

View scenic routes that include this spot

Travel to reset yourself in nature, and breathe deeply both in mind and body

MYSTICAL VISTAS

More Information about Historic Site Sado Gold Mine

Street address: 1305 Shimoaikawa, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture
About NIIGATA

Access

Route1

15 minutes by bus from Niigata Station, then 6 minutes by jetfoil from Niigata Port, then 70 minutes by bus from Ryotsu Port, get off at Sado Gold Mine (Sado Kinzan).

Route2

At Ryotsu Port take the bus going to "Aikawa" (about 60 minutes) ⇒ At "Aikawa" transfer to the bus going to "Sado Kinzan" (about 10 minutes)

Opening Hours: 8:00 - 17:30 (8:30 - 17:00 between November and March)

Closed: Open year round

Website: https://www.sado-kinzan.com/en/

Best season: Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul., Aug., Sep., Oct., Nov.

Point: ・The temperature inside the tunnels is around 10 degrees Celsius year round.
・The sightseeing course includes many steps and walking outside the tunnels, so please wear clothing comfortable for walking.

update: Dec.16.2025