Roadside station Taio-kinzan, Museum and roadside station in Hita, Japan
Roadside Station Taio-kinzan features an 800-meter underground tunnel that shows mining operations through exhibits and historical equipment. The complex includes various display areas and interactive sections that document how the former mine operated.
The Taio Gold Mine was the largest gold producer in the East until it closed in 1972. Its transformation into a museum complex preserved the region's mining history.
The restaurant on the second floor serves regional dishes like golden udon and golden soba, which reflect the area's mining tradition.
The site is best visited on weekends or holidays when the facility is most active and offerings are complete. Comfortable shoes are important because the underground tunnel has uneven surfaces and requires extended walking.
Visitors can try gold panning and collect real gold sand as a souvenir. This hands-on activity combines entertainment with a tangible reminder of the site's former mining operation.
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