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Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

Appreciate the preservation of nature around this Unesco-listed World Heritage Site

Oda City Tourism Association

The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine was officially registered as a World Heritage Site in 2007. It is located in a densely forested and mountainous region of Shimane. Despite the industrial activities here, locals have taken great care to preserve this natural environment since silver was first discovered in 1527.

The Unesco World Heritage Committee particularly appreciated the fact that the mine was developed with less impact on the environment due to the appropriate management of forests. Silver mines generally required a large amount of wood for firewood and charcoal to refine the metal ore.

Not only are the forests of Iwami carefully managed, but so too is the centuries-old appearance of the nearby town. There are no public trash bins in this town, even though it is a tourist spot. Still, there is no trash on the streets, as visitors take home their garbage. Vending machines and electricity meters do not disturb the eye, as they are surrounded by wooden frames, and electric wires and water pipes are also buried out of view. Simply by walking around the town, you can see how the local residents live together as one and care for each other.

How to get there

Izumo Airport is 1 hour and 30 minutes from Haneda Airport by plane. From Izumo Airport, take a bus to JR Izumo-shi Station (1 hour and 30 minutes) and get on a train to JR Oda-shi Station (1 hour). Next, board an Iwami Kotsu Bus from JR Oda-shi Station to Omori or Omori-Daikansho-ato.

I-1597-3 Omori-cho, Oda-shi, Shimane-ken