Found in 1601, Innai silver mine was one of the biggest silver mines in Japan. Because it was an important source of revenue for a feudal lord’s family of the Satake clan in Akita who prospered in the 17th and 18th centuries, this mine was also important to the government at the time. In 1617, the population of the camp topped 7,100, and the mine bustled with miners. Especially in the 1830s, annual production of silver exceeding 3.8 t continued for a decade, and the town was just booming.
In 1860, a massive capital outlay was spent to modernize facilities, which resulted in annual outputs of over 15 t in the 1890s and made Innai the fourth largest silver mine in Japan. Its history of 350 years was brought to an end in 1954 when production was suspended.
"Silver coins made of silver produced from the Innai mine"
Photo cooperated with: Yuzawa City Board of Education, Ogachi Lifelong Learning Center
The peripheries of Kosaka town, which had rich mineral resources from old days, thrived on booming mines. "Kohraku-kan playhouse" was originally built in August 1910 as a recreation facility for workers at the Kosaka mine. It is the oldest wooden playhouse that is still active in Japan. The magnificent appearance of the white Western building makes you think nostalgically of bygone days in a halcyon era for miners. The ceiling is planked in the Western style, and complete with tulip-shaped lightings. Since Kosaka was a mining town, and hydropower generation facilities were already developed around that time, Kohraku-kan playhouse was electrically lighted. It was known as the No. 1 theater in Tohoku.
"Kohraku-kan playhouse. This playhouse is one of the oldest wooden structures in existence in Japan"
Photo cooperated with: Kohraku-kan(Kosaka town)