Once hailed as the “El Dorado of the East,” the Taio Kinzan Gold Mine once boasted the highest output of gold in Asia. The mine has since been revived as the Taio Kinzan Underground Museum, one of few underground museums in all of Japan.
The approximately 800-meter sightseeing course takes you through the actual tunnels of the mine itself, giving you a sense of the history and inner workings of the mine when it was in operation. The exhibit displays the original equipment used at the time, as well as mannequins which show what the miners’ work conditions once looked like. Peer down from the top of a brightly illuminated 510-meter vertical shaft and get a feel for its incredible depth, and at the end of the tunnel you will come across an area illuminated with sparkling fluorescent stones, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
The tunnels are cool in summer and warm in winter, and of course make the perfect rainy day activity as well.
After walking through the mine’s tunnels and learning about its history, you can even try your hand at panning for gold and look for the glistening glow of gold nuggets from within the sand!
Both children and adults alike can enjoy this hands-on gold panning activity. First, scoop some sand into a pan, dip it in the water, and shake it around. Next, take your time as you pour the top layer of sand out several times, slowly searching for gold. Place any gold nuggets you find in a cute little container which you can then take home with you as a lucky charm.
In addition, children up to the first grade of elementary school can enjoy a special activity called the “Children’s Stone Treasure Hunt”.
At Michi-no-Eki Taio Kinzan, you can try several other hands-on activities, such as kusaki-zome (dyeing fabrics with plant-based dyes), and making wasabi, konnyaku jelly, and Taio-yaki pottery.
Local specialties such as wasabi, tea, and yuzu (a citrus fruit) are also available for purchase.
At the Taio Kinzan Family Travel Village, there are cabins and campsites where you can enjoy an overnight stay in the great outdoors. So pick up some fresh local vegetables at Michi-no-Eki Taio Kinzan, and get ready to go camping!
Taio Kinzan is about an hour by car from the famous Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto Prefecture), Tsuetate Onsen (Kumamoto Prefecture), and Hita Onsen (Oita Prefecture), so be sure to stop by for a rejuvenating dip in the hot springs after camping.
You may also want to add Aso, a famous sightseeing destination in Kumamoto Prefecture, to your itinerary as well.

Underground Museum, Farmers’ Market Stop, Family Travel Village
Taio Kinzan Gold Mine
Location: 3750 Aise, Nakatsue-mura, Hita City, Oita Prefecture 877-0302 TEL. 0973-56-5316
Phone number: 0973-56-5316
Business hours: March-November 9:00-17:00, December-February 10:00-16:30
Last admission for the Underground Museum tour and gold mining experience is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: Wednesdays (some Wednesdays are open depending on the month)

Taio Kinzan Gold Mine　https://taiokinzan.jp/