Takashima Coal Mine

Takashima Coal Mine is a former mining complex on an island off the northern coast of Nagasaki Peninsula with multiple shafts and extensive 19th-century infrastructure. The remains show how coal was extracted here, with different layers of the site reflecting various phases of mining operations.

The mine was established in the 1860s after Western mining techniques and steam power were introduced to the island. This made it a turning point in Japan's shift toward modern industrial production and fueling the rapidly expanding steamship fleets.

Coal extraction became central to local economic life and shaped generations of workers and their families. The traces of this labor remain visible today in the remnants of housing and workshops scattered across the site.

The site can be viewed from an adjacent mountain, giving a clear overview of the abandoned complex layout. Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain is uneven, and some areas may have limited accessibility or be off-limits to visitors.

The site is part of a UNESCO World Heritage designation linking several Meiji-era mining complexes in Japan and their role in the country's rapid industrialization. Takashima stands as one of the best-preserved examples of these early industrial facilities in the region.

Location: Nagasaki

Part of: Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining, Nishisonogi coalfield

GPS coordinates: 32.65950,129.75100

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:24