Akenobe Mine

Course B

Walking through History
along Koseki no Michi: Exploring Influential
Industrial Heritage and Takeda-jo Castle Ruins,the Castle in the Sky

B3 Exploration Tunnel
Legend has it that copper from the historic Akenobe
Mine in casting the great Buddha at Nara’s Todai-ji
Temple. Following the discovery of tin ore at the minein 1909, Akenobe became the leading tin mine inJapan. The mine was closed in 1987 but remains
partially open to the public as an “exploration tunnel”
where visitors can see the mine’s exposed rock face
as well as ore veins, rock drills, and other informativesights. (Reservations required at least 3 days inadvance.) Address: Oyacho Akenobe,Yabu City | Hours: 8:30 am – 5:15 pm (reservationrequired) | Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, holidays,
New Year’s Holiday (and days with no customers) |Fee: High school and above: 1,200 yen; Elementaryand junior high: 600 yen (includes guide fee) |Tel.: 079-668-0258 (Akenobe Shizen School) |Web: http://www.fureai-net.tv/akenobesizen/

Charter taxi

This course offers a stroll through history, starting from Kinosaki Onsen. One of the highlights is Takeda-jo Castle Ruins,
the Castle in the Sky. Other highlights include Koseki no Michi connecting Ikuno, the cornerstone of Japan’s mining development,
to the Former Mikobata Mine and Akenobe Mine. From Asago to Yabu, the panoramic structure of the former Mikobata Mine nestledin the Chugoku mountains is truly a breathtaking sight.

Mikobata

B4 One-Yen Train
B6 Former Mikobata Mine

B5 Akenobe Shizen School

Following the rediscovery of silver veins in 1878, the Mikobata Mine operated asa branch of the Ikuno Silver Mine. The mine eventually closed in 1917. Afterwards,
the mine became a processing center for ore mined at Akenobe Mine, becoming
East Asia’s largest processing center at its peak.
Address: 1826-1 Sano, Asago City | Tel.: 079-677-1165 (Asago Tourist Association,Asago City; weekdays) / 079-677-1717 (Mikobata Senkoujyo Tourist Association;Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) | Fee: Free to tour | Web: http://mikobata.com/W.C.

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course B

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Takeda-jo Castle Ruins Come on
B1 National Historic Site

*One-Yen Train
only

Complete ruins such as those of Takeda-jo Castle Ruins are a rare find in Japan when it comes to mountaincastles. Resembling a tiger reposing, this former castle is often dubbed “Torafusu-jo” and “Koga-jo” (theLying Tiger Castle). The ruins have been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 castles. Also known as the“Castle in the Sky” and “Japan’s Machu Picchu,” Takeda-jo Castle Ruins is a popular destination for tourists
from throughout Japan.
Address: 169 Takeda-aza Kojozan, Wadayama-cho, Asago City | Hours: 4:00 am – 5:00 pm (during “Sea ofClouds” season) *Visit the website for details. | Closed: Entry to Takeda-jo Castle Ruins is not allowed from
Jan. 4 to the end of February. | Fee: Adults (high school and above): 500 yen; Junior high and younger: Free |Tel.: 079-674-2120 (Castle in the Sky Information Center) | Web: http://www.city.asago.hyogo.jp/takeda/W.C.

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Recommended Courses and Map
Itinerary

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B6 Former Mikobata Mine / B7 Old Mouchet House

5:35 pm

B8 Mikobata Cast Iron Bridge

Eat-indining

Credit cards
acceptedWi-FiPets
welcomeW.C.

Lavatories

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Bidet-equippedlavatories

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Multi-purpose
lavatories

Handicapped
accessibility

English support
available*2 Asago Taxi; Tel.: 0796-72-0404; 15 Wadayamacho Hodoji, Asago
City, Hyogo; Jumbo bus (up to 9 passengers): 6,480 yen per hour(incl. tax), or regular taxi: 4,396 yen per hour (incl. tax); Businesshours: 7:30 am – 1:00 am; Open year-rounddoauR

B3 Akenobe Mine Exploration Tunneline

B5 Akenobe Shizen School

4:30 pmnL

B4 One-Yen Train

3:15 pmrakB3 Akenobe Mine Exploration Tunnel

2:45 pm*1 For a more accurate bus timetable, contact the bus operator directly.
Nonsmoking

B2 Hotel EN (The Old Kimura Distillery)en1:55 pm

8:11 pm Himeji Station

Description of Icons

B5 Akenobe Shizen Schoolnta

B2 Hotel EN (The Old Kimura Distillery)

1:00 pm Charter taxi*2 from Takeda Station
to Akenobe Mine Exploration Tunnel

Ba

12:00 pm

6:46 pm Nii StationW.C.

Takeda Station

B1 Takeda-jo Castle Ruins National Historic Site

11:35 am Chufuku bus stopnR

Located at the foot of the Takeda-jo Castle Ruins, this hotel repurposesa traditional-style brewery nestled in a historic castle town with a history
beginning some 400 years ago. The brewery was renovated as a hotel
while keeping the atmosphere of its origins. Offering French cuisine madewith locally grown produce in addition to Asago City sightseeing informationand more, Hotel EN is a community gathering place where visitors canconnect with each other. Address: 363 Uemachi Nishigawa, Takeda-aza,
Wadayama-cho, Asago City | Hours: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (last order; lunch),
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (last order; dinner) | Closed: Irregular; Visit the website
for details. | Tel.: 0120-210-289 | Web: http://www.takedacastle.jp/

10:25 amntatEa

B4 One-Yen Train

BaHotel EN
B2 (The Old Kimura Distillery)

Photos courtesy of Toshihisa Yoshida

B1 Takeda-jo Castle Ruins National Historic Site

7:58 am Kinosakionsen Station
9:45 am Tenku Bus*1 (Takeda Station)

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The Old Mouchet House is the former residenceof a French engineer who contributed to thedevelopment of the Ikuno mine. In 1887, thehouse was transferred to Mikobata, where it wasused as an office. Address: 1826-1 Sano, Asago
City | Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturdays andSundays (Also open on public holidays; closedin winter from Dec. 29 to end of February) | Fee:Free to tour | Tel.: 079-677-1165 (Asago Tourist
Association, Asago City; weekdays) /079-677-1717 (Mikobata Senkoujyo Tourist
Association; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)*Handicapped-accessible
lavatory only

Buy

Large groups
welcomeB7 Old Mouchet HouseW.C.

TimeParking

Designated an important Japanese culturalproperty, the Mikobata Cast Iron Bridge is oneof five cast iron bridges created for carrying ore
mined at the Mikobata Mine to the Ikuno
smeltery. The bridge was constructed in 1885,
making it Japan’s oldest cast iron bridge andthird-oldest iron bridge. Address: 1637-7
Sano-aza Mizuta, Asago City | Hours: Free |Tel.: 079-677-1165 (Asago Tourist Association,Asago City)

Buy

Akenobe Shizen School is a hands-on learning and accommodation facility thattakes advantage of natural mountainous environment and the characteristics ofthe former mining town. Akenobe Mine goods are also available to purchase.
At Akenobe Rest House Square, volunteers undertake operation of the One-Yen
Train once a month from April to November with the goal of reviving operation ofthe historic train. *The train operates between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. For 2017,
the train is scheduled to operate every day during Golden Week (May 3–7) andduring summer break (July 23 and 30, and August 6, 13, 20, and 27).
Address: 1184 Oyacho Akenobe, Yabu City | Hours: 8:30 am – 5:15 pm(reservation required) | Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, New Year’sHoliday (and days with no passengers) | Tel.: 079-668-0258 |Web: http://www.fureai-net.tv/akenobesizen/*Handicapped-accessible
lavatory only

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B8 Cast Iron Bridge

Aokura Station

B8 Mikobata Cast Iron Bridge
B6 Former Mikobata Mine429

B7 Old Mouchet House

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Nii Station26