Oda, Historical mining city in Shimane Prefecture, Japan.
Ōda is a mountain city in Shimane Prefecture built across hilly terrain where former mining operations shaped the landscape. The city sits in a valley system near the Sea of Japan coast, surrounded by forested slopes and deep gorges.
Ōda grew wealthy through the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, which began operations in the 1500s and made the region economically powerful. During the Edo period, the city became a major trade hub for precious metals that shaped the entire region.
The local craft traditions in Ōda developed from centuries of mining work and remain visible in how artisans practice metalworking and pottery today. These skills shape the character of the community and how visitors experience the place.
The city is easiest to reach by the Sanin Main Line railway, which offers regular train service and good access to former mining areas. Visitors should prepare for hilly walking routes, as many sites are located in valleys and on steep slopes.
The mining tunnels preserve extraction methods that were used for hundreds of years and remain visible in their original form. Visitors walking through these passages can see how miners cut stone and managed water flow using techniques that were remarkably sophisticated for their time.
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