Inside the Besshi Copper Mine Tourist Tunnel, there's a fun rock-cutting machine experience

At Mine Topia Besshi (Besshi Mining Park), you can take a small train to reach the tourist tunnel. This is a popular spot where both adults and children come to observe, learn, and experience the hard work of copper mining in the past.Through guided educational tours, every corner presents different scenes. Notably, near the exit, there are experiences like operating a rock-cutting machine and posing with large stones, which is why I’ve dedicated this article to it.

After getting off the small train at Lucky Station, it’s about a 2-minute walk to the entrance of the mine. The name above the tunnel entrance is Tanchusho Tunnel. As we entered the long mining tunnel, we were immediately greeted by an exhibit detailing the history of the Besshi Copper Mine.

There are also two stunning three-dimensional paintings that are incredibly lifelike. It was my first time seeing such vivid artwork, along with stories from the history of Besshi Copper Mine (Honzan), covering major events between 1691 and 1973. The exhibit also showcases minerals excavated from the site.

The temperature inside the mine was 19.3°C when we visited, which was during late summer to early autumn—a time when the weather was still quite hot. Exploring the historical and cultural aspects of the mine in such a cool environment was a fantastic experience. We arrived at the “Happiness Pit,” which commemorates the discovery of promising ore after challenging explorations. In 1691, miners joyfully opened the first mine here, marking the start of the mining operations.

Next, we came across several models introducing the mine’s entrances and bathhouses. After their shifts, miners would use these bathhouses, and women were often present as well. There was also a display of a small women’s hut, where four women were shown washing and sorting ores, while one man hammered rocks. Other models depicted copper smelting and refining processes, demonstrating the various steps to turn raw ore into usable products. The refined copper was not only sent to Besshi but also to Osaka, where it was transformed into products like round copper (for export) and sheet copper (for domestic use).

Additionally, there were displays explaining improvements in crude copper production, how it was weighed and sold, and areas featuring stalactites and the mountain shrine, which highlighted the natural and cultural aspects of the site.

The introduction to Old Besshi at the Besshi Copper Mine Tourist Tunnel.

Other exhibits included small models, old photographs of Besshi, and maps that illustrated the miners’ struggles.

Historical Sites Around Asodani River at Bizi Copper Mine Tourist Tunnel

A historical guide map of the Ashitani River area and old photos and maps from the Showa 30s (1955) were also displayed.

▲A railway model showing small trains transporting copper, simulating the mining activities of the time.

Children's Play Facilities at Bizi Copper Mine Tourist Tunnel

The most fun part was about to begin! There are many children’s play facilities here. Suddenly, a teacher led a group of kids behind us to explore the site, play with the installations, and take pictures—climbing and exploring with great excitement.

Rock Shaving Machine Experience at Bizi Copper Mine Tourist Tunnel

The kids eagerly lined up to play with the rock-cutting machine. By pressing a button, it simulated breaking rocks in front of them, complete with the sound and motion of rocks splitting apart—it was so realistic! Another fun experience allowed visitors to lift a “giant stone” like a superhero. The stone looked incredibly real and made for great photo opportunities.

▲Kids having a blast playing with the rock-cutting machine.

After enjoying these mining-themed activities, we were near the exit. Visiting this cool mining tunnel during the summer for an educational and cultural tour was truly a delightful experience.