Shimoda Kinzan in Shizuoka Offers an Ultra-Realistic Replica of Mining Tunnels – Experience the Dream of Being a "Gold Tycoon"

▲ The tunnel scenes inside Shimoda Kinzan Tourism Park are faithfully recreated, making visitors feel as though they’ve traveled back to the Edo period. (Photo / Reporter Su Chengyan, same below)

Reported by Reporter Su Chengyan / Shizuoka, Japan

Driving along Suruga Bay on the Nishi-Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka, Japan, you’ll find a gold mine tourism park — Japan’s second-largest mining site“Shimoda Kinzan”. The park preserves the complete cultural landscape of gold mining and recreates scenes of labor in the Edo-period mine tunnels, making visitors feel as if they’ve stepped back in time upon entering the shafts. Additionally, the site houses a 250-kilogram gold block and offers a “gold panning” experience, giving people a taste of the thrill of striking it rich.%亥嚎锤?嗤练式鹕秸掌?磨募/span>

The tunnels feature replicas of models and dioramas depicting miners at work and in daily life, recreating the hardships of mining to transport visitors through a time tunnel. At the very front of the tunnel stands a torii gate made entirely of gold, dedicated to the local mountain deity to bless the mining operations. Inside the tunnel, there’s also a “Golden Spring,” which legend says can bring fortune if you wash your hands under its waters.

▲ A torii gate made of pure gold stands inside the tunnel, symbolizing the culture of gold mining.

After exiting the tunnel, you’ll arrive at the Gold Museum across from it, where exhibits include model recreations of the once-thriving streets of the Shimoda area, driven by gold mining prosperity. There’s also a massive 250-kilogram gold nugget valued at over 12 billion yen on display for visitors to admire.

In addition, before leaving the museum, you can try your hand at gold panning in the “Gold Panning Pavilion,” where any gold flakes you find within 30 minutes are yours to keep. The souvenir shop also sells many gold-leaf themed products that are sure to “catch your eye”!%亥嚎锤?嗤练式鹕秸掌?磨募/span>

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