Besshi Copper Mine Memorial Museum, Mining museum in Niihama, Japan
The Besshi Copper Mine Memorial Museum is a mining museum in Niihama with five exhibition sections showing geological samples, mining equipment, historical documents, and industrial artifacts. The collection documents the mine's operations across many decades.
The Sumitomo Group operated the Besshi Copper Mine continuously from 1691 to 1973, marking nearly 3 centuries of industrial growth in Japanese mining technology. This long operation made the mine one of Japan's oldest.
The museum displays items that show how miners lived day to day, including tools, clothing, and an artwork from 1840 depicting mining work. These objects tell the story of the people who worked beneath the ground.
The museum is in Niihama and easy to reach by car, with parking available on site. Plan to spend a morning walking through the exhibits at a comfortable pace.
The building is partly underground with architectural features that echo the mining theme. The roof is covered in Satsuki azaleas that bloom in May, turning the structure pink and purple.
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