About This Video
Located deep in a mountainous district of Shimane in the village of Omori, you will find Iwami Ginzan, a historic silver mine now turned museum/attraction that was designated as a World Heritage Site in July 2007. Small in size compared to today’s standard, it is said that the Iwami Ginzan silver mine, was among the top ten producing silver mines in the world. It produced around 38 tons of silver per year, or ⅓ of the world’s production when the mine was still in activity! Its unique and exceptionally high quality silver, known as “Soma Silver”, was the reason for many sources of friction between local clans interested in taking control of all Iwami Ginzan mines since its acquisition in the early 1600s by the Tokugawa Shogunate.
While today the mines are closed, it is still possible for the public to visit part a small section of the network of the 600 shafts that once made Iwami Ginzan, via a 273m long tunnel known as the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft.
This video was made in Cooperation with the Shimane Prefecture Tourism Promotion Division. Learn more about Shimane at https://www.kankou-shimane.com/en/
