Tourism EXPO Japan 2025 Aichi/Central Japan
An Industrial Highway for Horse-Drawn Wagons (Hyogo Pref.)
In 19th-century Hyogo Prefecture, horse-drawn wagons loaded with gold, silver, and copper sped up and down a wide gravel road connecting the mines with the ports, fueling Japan's industrial modernization.
Mining in the prefecture began more than 1,200 years ago, but was taken over by the government in the 19th century. The Gin no Bashamichi, or "silver ore horse-drawn wagon road," was built in 1876 to link these mines with the Setonaikai Sea. It was 49 kilometers long and ran from north to south, rushing ore down to the ports from where it could be shipped to other parts of Japan. The wide road included various innovations to ensure the horse-drawn wagons could carry as much ore as possible as quickly as possible - it was made of three distinct layers of gravel to aid drainage and built in a straight line, which was rare at the time. In effect, it was Japan's first high-speed industrial highway.
The Gin no Bashamichi ended at Ikuno in central Hyogo, but from there the route continued northwards to the mines of Nakaze, a road known as Koseki no Michi. Both roads together were 73 kilometers long. The mines gradually closed from the 1960s, but there are still working facilities to refine ore in both Ikuno and Nakase, while other historic sites are now open as tourist attractions. Visitors can see the mining tunnels and ride on the restored mine railroad.
Mining in the prefecture began more than 1,200 years ago, but was taken over by the government in the 19th century. The Gin no Bashamichi, or "silver ore horse-drawn wagon road," was built in 1876 to link these mines with the Setonaikai Sea. It was 49 kilometers long and ran from north to south, rushing ore down to the ports from where it could be shipped to other parts of Japan. The wide road included various innovations to ensure the horse-drawn wagons could carry as much ore as possible as quickly as possible - it was made of three distinct layers of gravel to aid drainage and built in a straight line, which was rare at the time. In effect, it was Japan's first high-speed industrial highway.
The Gin no Bashamichi ended at Ikuno in central Hyogo, but from there the route continued northwards to the mines of Nakaze, a road known as Koseki no Michi. Both roads together were 73 kilometers long. The mines gradually closed from the 1960s, but there are still working facilities to refine ore in both Ikuno and Nakase, while other historic sites are now open as tourist attractions. Visitors can see the mining tunnels and ride on the restored mine railroad.
Co-exhibitor of Japan Heritage
A Quarry Turned Underground Labyrinth (Tochigi Pref.) :
Eliminating landslides ~ Crossing Kamenose at the heart of the ancient Tatsuta Road ~ (Nara, Osaka Prefectures) :
Four Cities That Supported the Mega-City of Edo ~ An Edo Travelogue through Hokuso ~ (Chiba Pref.) :
Mt. Daisen: Japan’s Largest Livestock Market ~ Livestock and devotion to Jizo Bodhisattva ~ (Tottori Pref.) :
88._THE STORY OF MULBERRY CITY :
A 1,300-Year-Old Buddhist Pilgrimage (Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Shiga, Hyogo, Gifu Prefectures) :
A trip to Suruga with Japan’s travel pioneers Yaji and Kita ~ A comical Tokaido travel guide in prose and ukiyoe ~ (Shizuoka Pref.) :
An Industrial Highway for Horse-Drawn Wagons (Hyogo Pref.) :
Awa - The Birthplace of “Japan Blue” (Tokushima Pref.) :
Dewa Sanzan: A Journey to Rebirth ~ 300-year-old cedars and 2,446 stone steps ~ (Yamagata Pref.) :
From Forest Railway to Yuzu Road—The Story of Japan’s Largest Yuzu-Growing Region :
Iki, Tsushima, and the Goto Islands—Japan’s Ancient Bridge to Asia (Nagasaki Pref.) :
Japanese Tea: Eight Centuries of Tradition (Kyoto Pref.) :
Kamakura - A Historical and Cultural Mosaic (Kanagawa Pref.) :
Katsuragi Shugen ~ The home of Shugendo mountain asceticism ~ (Wakayama, Osaka, Nara Prefectures) :
Kurashiki and the Story of Fiber ~ East meets west through cotton ~ (Okayama Pref.) :
Land of Izumo,Tatara Chronicle ~A Thousand Years of Iron~ :
Merchant Ships Carrying Goods, Culture, and Big Dreams (Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kagawa Prefectures) :
Miracle Railroad ~ Connecting Japan to the world ~ (Fukui, Shiga Prefectures) :
Mt. Mitoku and Misasa Hot Springs Thrills and Spills: An Exciting Climb and Healing Hot Springs (Tottori Pref.) :
No.27_The Story of Komatsu's Gems&Stones-A Heritage of Stone Polished by the Flow of Time :
Onomichi(Hiroshima Pref.):A miniature garden city from the middle ages built around the onomichi channel :
Policemen Pirates of the Setonaikai Sea (Ehime, Hiroshima Prefectures) :
Pre-Historic Flame-Style Pottery of the Snow Country (Niigata Pref.) :
Preserving the Mountain Forests of the Kiso Region (Nagano Pref.) :
Saio – The Prayers of a Princess(Mie Pref.) :
Six Ancient Kilns ~ Ceramics Born and Raised in Japan ~ (Aichi, Fukui, Shiga, Hyogo and Okayama Prefectures) :
Takaoka: Flourishing Folk Culture Under the Maeda Clan ~ People, skills, heart ~ (Toyama Pref.) :
The Blessings of Life Alongside Whales (Wakayama Pref.) :
The Educational Heritage of Early Modern Japan: the origins of learning and etiquette (Mito City,Ashikaga City,Bizen City,Hita City Educational Heritage and World Heritage Registration Promotion Council) :
The Founding of Japan ~ The women who made Asuka thrive ~ (Nara Pref.) :
The Glittering History of Gold Production (Miyagi, Iwate Prefectures) 81 Awa - The Birthplace of “Japan Blue” (Tokushima Pref.) :
The Grand 1,400-Year History of Japan’s Oldest Road – Takeuchi Kaido road, Yoko-Oji (Oji) – (Osaka, Nara Prefectures) :
The Intricate World of Indigo Shibori Tie-Dyeing (Aichi Pref.) :
The Kunisaki Peninsula – Where Ogres Bring Happiness (Oita Pref.) :
The Martial Towns of the Satsuma Samurai (Kagoshima Pref.) :
The masons of Yatsushiro ~ The stone-making legacy of Masonry Town ~(Kumamoto Pref.) :
The Prehistoric Burial Mounds of Miyazaki (Miyazaki Pref.) :
The Story Behind the Tale of Momotaro (Okayama Pref.) :
Tokamachi, the Ultimate Snow Country: Snowbelt Story (Niigata Pref.)（Tokamachi City Culture and Tourism Promotion Council） :
Volcanic Iwami ~ Prehistoric forests and the Iwami Ginzan silver mines~ (Shimane Pref.) :
Wakanoura Bay ~ A Treasure House of Scenic Beauty ~ (Wakayama Pref.) :
Wakasa Heritage – Connecting the Sea and Kyoto ~ Imperial food purveyors and the Mackerel Road ~ (Fukui Pref.) :
”Shikoku Henro”⎯ Circular pilgrimage route and unique pilgrimage culture :
【Japan Heritage】Landscape Interwoven with Vineyards -Kyotoh-Yamanashi Wine County- :
| Booth No | E-019 |
|---|---|
| Area | Travel-related companies（Inbound to JAPAN） |
| SNS Links |     |
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