A Must-See for Sightseeing in Omuta City! Introducing in Detail the History and Highlights of the Miike Coal Mine Miyahara Pit, Also Registered as a World Heritage Site of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.
The coal industry supported the modernization of Japan during the Meiji era. In Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture, which flourished as the center of this industry, many coal mine-related remains from that time still exist. Among them, the Miike Coal Mine Miyahara Pit is a popular spot visited by many tourists due to its historical value and impressive sights.
In this article, we will explain the history, highlights, and access information of the Miyahara Pit in detail to support your sightseeing.
What is the Miike Coal Mine Miyahara Pit?
The Miike Coal Mine Miyahara Pit is the site of a coal mine that was opened in the Meiji era, located in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It consists of two vertical shafts and, at its peak, produced more than 500,000 tons of coal annually. It is registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.
History of the Miyahara Pit
The Meiji Government and the Miike Coal Mine
After the Meiji Restoration, Japan urgently needed to secure coal resources to rapidly advance modernization. In this context, the Miike Coal Mine greatly contributed to Japan’s industrial development by producing abundant reserves of high-quality coal. The Meiji government operated the Miike Coal Mine as a government-run business and made active investments.
Introduction of Forced Labor
However, coal mining labor at that time was harsh, and there was a serious shortage of labor. Therefore, the Meiji government introduced “forced labor,” assigning prisoners from prisons to coal mining labor. Prisoners were forced to work in appalling conditions, and many people lost their lives. Many prisoners also worked at the Miyahara Pit, and this history must not be forgotten.
Construction of the Miyahara Pit and Modernization of the Miike Coal Mine
As mining deepened at the Miike Coal Mine, the efficiency of in-mine drainage deteriorated, and new measures were needed. Therefore, in 1895, construction of the Miyahara Pit was started as a new vertical shaft with high drainage capacity.
In parallel with the construction of the Miyahara Pit, the introduction of state-of-the-art machinery and equipment was promoted at the Miike Coal Mine. High-performance British-made pumps, steam hoists, and electric fans were introduced one after another, and coal mining efficiency improved dramatically. The Miyahara Pit was a symbol of a modern coal mine, bringing together these latest technologies.
Closure and Aftermath
The Miyahara Pit continued to support the modernization of Japan as the central figure of the Miike Coal Mine. However, due to the impact of the Showa financial crisis and the development of new coal mines, it was closed in 1931.
After the closure, the site of the Miyahara Pit was left abandoned for a long time, but its historical value was reevaluated, and preservation and maintenance were promoted. In 2015, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as a constituent asset of the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.”
Highlights of the Miyahara Pit
At the Miyahara Pit, you can see various remains that convey the state of the coal mine at that time.
- Shaft Tower: A symbolic presence towering at the pithead. It tells the story of the scale of the coal mine at that time.
- Hoist Room: The building where the hoist connecting the inside of the pit to the ground was installed. You can imagine the huge machinery and the work at that time.
- Boiler Room: The building where the boilers that generated steam, the power source for the in-mine machinery, were installed. The solid atmosphere of the brick construction is impressive.
- Belt Conveyor: A belt conveyor for transporting mined coal. It is a piece of equipment that made full use of the latest technology at the time.
In addition to these remains, at the Miyahara Pit, you can also learn about the lives of coal miners at that time and the history of forced labor.
Basic Information
| Item | Content |
| Name | Miike Coal Mine Miyahara Pit |
| Address | 1-86-3 Miyahara-cho, Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Phone Number | 0944-41-2515 (Omuta City World Heritage and Cultural Properties Office) |
| FAX Number | 0944-41-2552 (Omuta City World Heritage and Cultural Properties Office) |
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) |
| Closed | Every Monday |
| Access | Take the Nishitetsu Bus from Omuta Station towards Katsutachi, get off at “Hayakane Megane-bashi,” and walk for 10 minutes About 12 minutes by car from Omuta Station |
| Parking | Available |
Conclusion
The Miike Coal Mine Miyahara Pit is a valuable heritage that conveys the history of the coal industry that supported the modernization of Japan. You can feel firsthand the scale and technology of the coal mine at that time, as well as the lives of the workers. Please be sure to visit when sightseeing in Omuta.