Tsuchikura Forest & Mine Ruins

OVERVIEW

Legacy Trails: Tsuchikura’s Giant Tree Forest & Industrial Ruins

**IMPORTANT NOTE**
This area is remote and there have been confirmed sightings of animals such as bears. Please do not enter on your own. If you’re interested in exploring, consider joining a guided tour.

This area’s forest is home to more than 250 colossal trees, notably the Japanese horse chestnuts (Tochinoki). Trails wind through picturesque beech forests and areas abundant with these splendid horse chestnuts. The paths are embellished with blossoming flora and the melodies of wild birds, ensuring year-round enjoyment throughout the seasons. Furthermore, exploring the remnants of the Tsuchikura Mine offers visitors a chance to admire nature’s beauty simultaneously contrasted with the intriguing remnants of industrial history.

Situated in the far northeastern region of Nagahama, Tsuchikura was once a settlement within the Kanehara area, nestled deeply in the mountains. Originating in the Edo period, it functioned as a copper mine established by inhabitants from neighboring areas, commissioned by the feudal lord to produce charcoal. At its pinnacle in 1940, the third operating mine supported roughly 400 households and 1,500 individuals. However, with the liberalization of copper imports and declining mineral quality, its competitive edge disappeared, leading to closure in 1965. Today, it stands as a recognized industrial heritage site in the city, with remnants of significant concrete structures still standing in the mountains.