ABOUT
About this spot
Mintopia Besshi (Hademba Zone) is a hands-on destination where history meets leisure, built on the redeveloped site of the former Besshi Copper Mine. Start with the "Mine Railway," a re-creation of one of Japan's oldest mountain railways. Aboard a retro miniature steam locomotive, you travel to the "Sightseeing Tunnel," a mine shaft about 333 meters long. Inside, life-size figures and models vividly recreate everything from Edo-period mining scenes to modern technological advances, letting you feel the breath of history up close. The activities are plentiful too, including a gold panning experience that captivates adults and children alike and an all-weather play facility for kids. After exploring, soak in the natural hot spring or sauna at "Healthyland Besshi" within the complex to ease away the fatigue of travel. For a longer excursion, the site is also an ideal base for visiting the ruins of the Tohnaru district, known on social media as the "Machu Picchu of the East." Whether you come with family or friends, or on a solo history walk, it is a spot that people of all ages can enjoy all day long.
Last updated March 28, 2026