Mine Produce !Coordinates Associated town Owner Opened Closed Comments Ichinokawa Mine [ 1] [ 2] Antimony 33°53′20″N 133°13′08″E / 33.889°N 133.219°E / 33.889; 133.219 Saijō, Ehime 1659 1957 Kimu mine[ 3] Antimony 26°29′56″N 127°54′11″E / 26.499°N 127.903°E / 26.499; 127.903 Okinawa Island ? ? Tsugu mine[ 4] [ 5] Antimony 35°10′41″N 137°37′44″E / 35.178°N 137.629°E / 35.178; 137.629 Shitara, Aichi 15## 1956 Obira mine[ 6] Arsenic 32°50′31″N 131°34′41″E / 32.842°N 131.578°E / 32.842; 131.578 Bungo-ōno , Oita ? ? also contains boron and fluorine minerals Matsuiwa mine[ 7] Arsenic 38°58′01″N 141°31′08″E / 38.967°N 141.519°E / 38.967; 141.519 Kesennuma , Miyagi 1949 1974 also contains some uranium, silver and gold Sasagatani mine[ 8] Arsenic 34°32′56″N 131°42′11″E / 34.549°N 131.703°E / 34.549; 131.703 Tsuwano, Shimane ? ? closed Akenobe mine[ 9] Arsenic 35°16′59″N 134°40′01″E / 35.283°N 134.667°E / 35.283; 134.667 Yabu, Hyōgo 1908 1987 Nozawa mine [ja ] Asbestos 43°16′01″N 142°24′11″E / 43.267°N 142.403°E / 43.267; 142.403 Furano, Hokkaido 1942 1969 Gunma-tetsuzan [ 10] Barium 36°39′11″N 138°35′49″E / 36.653°N 138.597°E / 36.653; 138.597 Nakanojō , Gunma 1943 1975 Minamishiraoi baryte mine[ 11] Barium 42°39′40″N 141°13′34″E / 42.661°N 141.226°E / 42.661; 141.226 Shiraoi, Hokkaido 1950 1988 Otaru-Matsukura mine [ja ] Barium 43°07′37″N 140°57′50″E / 43.127°N 140.964°E / 43.127; 140.964 Otaru 1932 1979 Fukuoka mine[ 12] Beryllium 35°35′10″N 137°28′05″E / 35.586°N 137.468°E / 35.586; 137.468 Nakatsugawa, Gifu Furukawa ? ? Closed Sannotake mine[ 13] [ 14] Bismuth 33°42′N 130°51′E / 33.7°N 130.85°E / 33.7; 130.85 Tagawa, Fukuoka ? ? includes Yokozuru mine Fukuoka mine[ 12] Bismuth 35°35′10″N 137°28′05″E / 35.586°N 137.468°E / 35.586; 137.468 Nakatsugawa, Gifu Furukawa ? ? Closed Inaushi mine[ 15] Bismuth 43°14′31″N 143°43′19″E / 43.242°N 143.722°E / 43.242; 143.722 Kitami, Hokkaido 1934 1964 Hosokura mine [ 16] [ 17] Cadmium 38°48′29″N 140°54′00″E / 38.808°N 140.9°E / 38.808; 140.9 Kurihara, Miyagi 1898 1977 now become an amusement park Fuka mine[ 18] Calcite 34°46′01″N 133°25′59″E / 34.767°N 133.433°E / 34.767; 133.433 Takahashi, Okayama ? open high purity, used for toothpaste Hirose mine[ 19] Chromium 35°04′01″N 133°12′00″E / 35.067°N 133.2°E / 35.067; 133.2 Hino, Tottori ? ? closed Nittō mine[ 20] Chromium 42°34′19″N 142°17′13″E / 42.572°N 142.287°E / 42.572; 142.287 Saru, Hokkaido 1917 1959 Amakusa coalfield [ 21] coal 32°15′N 130°04′E / 32.25°N 130.06°E / 32.25; 130.06 Amakusa 186# 1963 closed but not depleted Mogami coal field[ 22] [ 23] [ 24] coal 38°36′47″N 140°19′52″E / 38.613°N 140.331°E / 38.613; 140.331 Ōishida , Yamagata ? open lignite rich in germanium Iwate mine[ 25] coal 39°53′06″N 141°37′52″E / 39.885°N 141.631°E / 39.885; 141.631 Iwaizumi, Iwate ? ? Hokutan Horonai coal mine coal 43°13′16″N 141°54′32″E / 43.221°N 141.909°E / 43.221; 141.909 Mikasa, Hokkaido Hokutan 1879 1989 Went Bankrupt Kami-sunagawa coal mine coal 43°28′34″N 141°59′31″E / 43.476°N 141.992°E / 43.476; 141.992 Kamisunagawa Mitsui 1915 1986 Japan Microgravity Centre Hokutan Yūbari mine coal 43°03′50″N 141°59′06″E / 43.064°N 141.985°E / 43.064; 141.985 Yūbari Hokutan 1890 197# Went Bankrupt Hokutan Ikushunbetsu coal mine coal 43°15′40″N 141°58′05″E / 43.261°N 141.968°E / 43.261; 141.968 Ikushunbetsu Hokutan 1885 1957 Miike coal mine coal 33°00′50″N 130°27′22″E / 33.014°N 130.456°E / 33.014; 130.456 Ōmuta Tachibana clan 1872 1997 Mitsubishi Hashima coal mine coal 32°37′41″N 129°44′17″E / 32.628°N 129.738°E / 32.628; 129.738 Hashima Mitsubishi 1869 1974 Closed Iriomote Coal Mine coal 24°19′59″N 123°48′00″E / 24.333°N 123.8°E / 24.333; 123.8 Iriomote Mitsui 1886 1960 Closed Utara Coal Mine coal 24°18′07″N 123°42′25″E / 24.302°N 123.707°E / 24.302; 123.707 Iriomote Marusan Mining Company 1936 1943 Closed Shirataki mine[ 26] [ 27] [ 28] Cobalt 33°49′41″N 133°28′19″E / 33.828°N 133.472°E / 33.828; 133.472 Ōkawa, Kōchi Nippon Mining Co ? ? Besshi copper mine [ 29] [ 30] Cobalt 33°51′11″N 133°18′50″E / 33.853°N 133.314°E / 33.853; 133.314 Niihama, Ehime Sumitomo 1691 1973 Chiyogahara mine[ 31] Cobalt 38°52′01″N 141°21′00″E / 38.867°N 141.35°E / 38.867; 141.35 Fujisawa, Iwate ? ? Hitachi mine[ 32] [ 33] Cobalt 36°37′44″N 140°36′22″E / 36.629°N 140.606°E / 36.629; 140.606 Hitachi, Ibaraki 1905 1974 Kune mine[ 34] Cobalt 35°05′06″N 137°49′59″E / 35.085°N 137.833°E / 35.085; 137.833 Hamamatsu , Shizuoka 1897 open Tenryū mine[ 34] [ 35] Cobalt 35°16′59″N 137°51′00″E / 35.283°N 137.85°E / 35.283; 137.85 Tenryū, Nagano ? open Naganobori mine[ 36] Cobalt 34°14′42″N 131°20′10″E / 34.245°N 131.336°E / 34.245; 131.336 Mine, Yamaguchi 1941 1945 Shimokawa mine [ 37] Cobalt 44°12′54″N 142°42′04″E / 44.215°N 142.701°E / 44.215; 142.701 Shimokawa, Hokkaido 1941 1979 Kosaka mine [ 38] Copper 40°20′13″N 140°45′14″E / 40.337°N 140.754°E / 40.337; 140.754 Kosaka, Akita Dowa Holdings 18## ? Hanaoka mine [ 39] Copper 40°18′32″N 140°33′07″E / 40.309°N 140.552°E / 40.309; 140.552 Ōdate , Akita Kajima , Dowa mining 1885 ? the site of Hanaoka Incident during WWII[ 40] Nonowaki mine[ 41] [ 42] Copper 33°54′00″N 134°14′49″E / 33.9°N 134.247°E / 33.9; 134.247 Naka, Tokushima ? 196# Minawa mine[ 43] Copper 33°59′31″N 133°47′10″E / 33.992°N 133.786°E / 33.992; 133.786 Miyoshi, Tokushima 1956 1970 Shirataki mine[ 26] [ 27] [ 28] Copper 33°49′41″N 133°28′19″E / 33.828°N 133.472°E / 33.828; 133.472 Ōkawa, Kōchi Nippon Mining Co ? ? Shingu mine[ 44] [ 45] Copper 33°55′59″N 133°37′59″E / 33.933°N 133.633°E / 33.933; 133.633 Shikokuchūō , Ehime 1911 1975 also diamond-bearing Lherzolite Motoyasu mine[ 46] Copper 33°47′46″N 133°15′11″E / 33.796°N 133.253°E / 33.796; 133.253 Saijō, Ehime 1877 1972 Ōkuki mine[ 47] [ 48] Copper 33°30′50″N 132°39′22″E / 33.514°N 132.656°E / 33.514; 132.656 Uchiko, Ehime ? ? Sazare mine[ 49] [ 50] [ 51] Copper 33°54′14″N 133°32′31″E / 33.904°N 133.542°E / 33.904; 133.542 Niihama, Ehime ? 1979 Ikadazu mine[ 52] Copper 33°49′55″N 133°22′59″E / 33.832°N 133.383°E / 33.832; 133.383 Niihama, Ehime ? 1973 Besshi copper mine [ 29] [ 30] Copper 33°51′11″N 133°18′50″E / 33.853°N 133.314°E / 33.853; 133.314 Niihama, Ehime Sumitomo 1691 1973 Yuryo mine[ 53] [ 54] Copper 33°42′25″N 132°48′11″E / 33.707°N 132.803°E / 33.707; 132.803 Iyo, Ehime 1938 1954 Hirota mine[ 55] [ 56] Copper 33°39′N 132°48′E / 33.65°N 132.8°E / 33.65; 132.8 Iyo, Ehime 1917 1930 Takaura mine[ 57] [ 58] Copper 33°22′34″N 132°07′19″E / 33.376°N 132.122°E / 33.376; 132.122 Ikata, Ehime 1914 1965 Ōku mine[ 59] Copper 33°24′43″N 132°10′52″E / 33.412°N 132.181°E / 33.412; 132.181 Ikata, Ehime ? closed Obira mine[ 6] Copper 32°50′31″N 131°34′41″E / 32.842°N 131.578°E / 32.842; 131.578 Bungo-ōno , Oita ? ? also contains boron and fluorine minerals Matsubara-douzan mine[ 60] Copper 27°51′40″N 128°55′01″E / 27.861°N 128.917°E / 27.861; 128.917 Tokunoshima 1903 1928 Moe-Tatsugo mine[ 61] Copper 28°27′32″N 129°36′36″E / 28.459°N 129.61°E / 28.459; 129.61 Amami Ōshima ? closed Mitate mine[ 62] [ 63] Copper 32°46′30″N 131°28′19″E / 32.775°N 131.472°E / 32.775; 131.472 Hinokage, Miyazaki Rasa Industries 1915 1970 on slopes of Mount Sobo Makimine mine[ 64] [ 65] [ 66] Copper 32°37′48″N 131°27′29″E / 32.63°N 131.458°E / 32.63; 131.458 Hinokage, Miyazaki Mitsubishi 194x ? Iwato mine[ 67] [ 68] Copper 31°16′37″N 130°19′34″E / 31.277°N 130.326°E / 31.277; 130.326 Makurazaki, Kagoshima ? ? Sannotake mine[ 13] [ 14] Copper 33°42′N 130°51′E / 33.7°N 130.85°E / 33.7; 130.85 Tagawa, Fukuoka ? ? includes Yokozuru mine Yoshiwara mine[ 69] [ 70] Copper 33°45′N 130°51′E / 33.75°N 130.85°E / 33.75; 130.85 Kitakyushu , Fukuoka 1910 1971 Ōizumi mine[ 71] [ 72] [ 73] Copper 38°24′47″N 139°43′41″E / 38.413°N 139.728°E / 38.413; 139.728 Tsuruoka, Yamagata 1882 1950 Ohori mine[ 74] [ 75] Copper 38°44′46″N 140°27′50″E / 38.746°N 140.464°E / 38.746; 140.464 Mogami, Yamagata ? ? Isobe-Koyama mine[ 76] [ 77] Copper 38°27′00″N 140°13′01″E / 38.45°N 140.217°E / 38.45; 140.217 Sagae, Yamagata 1932 1977 Akayama mine[ 78] [ 79] Copper 38°04′26″N 140°18′11″E / 38.074°N 140.303°E / 38.074; 140.303 Naragejuku , Yamagata 16xx 1972 also contains some zinc, silver and gold Matsuiwa mine[ 7] Copper 38°58′01″N 141°31′08″E / 38.967°N 141.519°E / 38.967; 141.519 Kesennuma , Miyagi 1949 1974 also contains some uranium, silver and gold Oarasawa-Akutozawa mine[ 80] Copper 39°16′26″N 140°53′38″E / 39.274°N 140.894°E / 39.274; 140.894 Waga, Iwate 1907 1920 116 kt Cu produced Hanawa 2 mine[ 81] Copper 40°10′34″N 140°52′01″E / 40.176°N 140.867°E / 40.176; 140.867 Hachimantai , Iwate ? ? not to be confused with Hanawa manganese mine in Miyako, Iwate Unekura mine[ 82] [ 83] Copper 39°13′59″N 140°51′00″E / 39.233°N 140.85°E / 39.233; 140.85 Yuda, Iwate Dowa Kogyo K. K. ? open Akaishi mine[ 84] Copper 39°21′36″N 140°47′31″E / 39.36°N 140.792°E / 39.36; 140.792 Yuda, Iwate 1914 1973 Tsunatori mine[ 85] Copper 39°18′14″N 140°56′31″E / 39.304°N 140.942°E / 39.304; 140.942 Waga District, Iwate 1908 1962 Sennin mine[ 86] Copper 39°18′40″N 140°53′20″E / 39.311°N 140.889°E / 39.311; 140.889 Waga District, Iwate 1911 1974 also called Wagasennin mine Mizusawa mine[ 87] Copper 39°26′13″N 140°46′34″E / 39.437°N 140.776°E / 39.437; 140.776 Waga District, Iwate 1717 ? Yokota mine[ 88] [ 89] [ 90] Copper 37°23′17″N 139°26′31″E / 37.388°N 139.442°E / 37.388; 139.442 Kaneyama, Fukushima ? ? Yaso mine[ 91] Copper 37°03′29″N 139°39′29″E / 37.058°N 139.658°E / 37.058; 139.658 Minamiaizu , Fukushima 1952 1970 Takanokura mine[ 92] Copper 37°37′34″N 140°49′19″E / 37.626°N 140.822°E / 37.626; 140.822 Sōma, Fukushima ? ? Tada mine [ 93] Copper 34°53′35″N 135°21′29″E / 34.893°N 135.358°E / 34.893; 135.358 Inagawa, Hyōgo Nihon Kogyo 1211 1973 Tochigi mine[ 94] Copper 36°47′38″N 139°48′50″E / 36.794°N 139.814°E / 36.794; 139.814 Shioya, Tochigi 1946 1965 Kidogasawa mine[ 95] Copper 36°47′49″N 139°42′00″E / 36.797°N 139.7°E / 36.797; 139.7 Nikkō, Tochigi 1940 1974 Chichibu mine [ 96] Copper 36°01′19″N 138°49′01″E / 36.022°N 138.817°E / 36.022; 138.817 Ōtaki, Saitama 708 ? first ever copper mine of Japan Fujigatani mine[ 97] Copper 34°08′38″N 132°01′01″E / 34.144°N 132.017°E / 34.144; 132.017 Iwakuni , Yamaguchi 1955 1977 closed Sasagatani mine[ 8] Copper 34°32′56″N 131°42′11″E / 34.549°N 131.703°E / 34.549; 131.703 Tsuwano, Shimane ? ? closed Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine [ 98] [ 99] Copper 35°09′50″N 132°26′31″E / 35.164°N 132.442°E / 35.164; 132.442 Ōda, Shimane 130# 1923 world leading medieval silver producer Tsumo mine[ 100] [ 101] Copper 34°39′00″N 131°59′10″E / 34.65°N 131.986°E / 34.65; 131.986 Masuda, Shimane 195x ? Yoshioka mine[ 102] Copper 34°51′29″N 133°27′29″E / 34.858°N 133.458°E / 34.858; 133.458 Takahashi, Okayama 1905 1972 Sasaune mine[ 103] [ 104] Copper 34°51′11″N 133°28′19″E / 34.853°N 133.472°E / 34.853; 133.472 Takahashi, Okayama ? 196# also produced iron pigment Shin-mikawa mine[ 105] Copper 34°37′59″N 133°34′59″E / 34.633°N 133.583°E / 34.633; 133.583 Yakage, Okayama 1916 1957 Obie mine[ 106] Copper 34°36′40″N 133°47′49″E / 34.611°N 133.797°E / 34.611; 133.797 Kurashiki, Okayama 1906 1947 Yanahara mine[ 107] [ 108] Copper 34°57′29″N 134°04′08″E / 34.958°N 134.069°E / 34.958; 134.069 Misaki, Okayama 195# 1970 also produced iron oxide for audio tapes Takara mine[ 109] [ 110] Copper 35°34′30″N 138°51′00″E / 35.575°N 138.85°E / 35.575; 138.85 Tsuru, Yamanashi 1942 1962 also produced pyrite Kune mine[ 34] Copper 35°05′06″N 137°49′59″E / 35.085°N 137.833°E / 35.085; 137.833 Hamamatsu , Shizuoka 1897 open Kusakura mine[ 111] Copper 37°40′59″N 139°28′59″E / 37.683°N 139.483°E / 37.683; 139.483 Kanose, Niigata Furukawa 1738 ? Ogoya mine[ 112] Copper 36°17′35″N 136°35′31″E / 36.293°N 136.592°E / 36.293; 136.592 Komatsu, Ishikawa 1884 1971 Hatasa mine[ 113] Copper 35°51′07″N 137°03′47″E / 35.852°N 137.063°E / 35.852; 137.063 Gujō , Gifu 1674 1916 Nojiri mine[ 114] Copper 35°52′34″N 136°43′01″E / 35.876°N 136.717°E / 35.876; 136.717 Ōno, Fukui ? 1968 Underwater after construction of Kuzuryu Dam Nakatatsu mine[ 115] Copper 35°52′23″N 136°34′41″E / 35.873°N 136.578°E / 35.873; 136.578 Ōno, Fukui ? ? Closed Nakauri mine[ 116] Copper 34°50′56″N 137°33′07″E / 34.849°N 137.552°E / 34.849; 137.552 Kamaishi, Iwate 1953 1953 worked for 3 months Kamaishi mine[ 117] Copper 39°18′00″N 141°40′59″E / 39.3°N 141.683°E / 39.3; 141.683 Kamaishi, Iwate 1727 1993 Dominant iron producer of Japan pre-war Ashio copper mine [ 118] Copper 36°37′59″N 139°26′38″E / 36.633°N 139.444°E / 36.633; 139.444 Nikkō, Tochigi Furukawa 1600 1973 Largest copper output during late 19th century, place of 1907 Ashio riot Yaguki mine[ 119] Copper 37°10′16″N 140°54′54″E / 37.171°N 140.915°E / 37.171; 140.915 Iwaki, Fukushima 1945 1974 Obira mine[ 6] Copper 32°50′31″N 131°34′41″E / 32.842°N 131.578°E / 32.842; 131.578 mount Sobo in Nishiusuki, Miyazaki 1617 1954 Horobetsu mine [ja ] [ 120] Copper 42°28′30″N 141°03′00″E / 42.475°N 141.05°E / 42.475; 141.05 Noboribetsu, Hokkaido 1898 1973 Shimokawa mine [ 37] Copper 44°12′54″N 142°42′04″E / 44.215°N 142.701°E / 44.215; 142.701 Shimokawa, Hokkaido 1941 1979 Kunitomi Mine [ja ] [ 121] Copper 43°00′29″N 140°39′29″E / 43.008°N 140.658°E / 43.008; 140.658 Shiribeshi, Hokkaido 1909 1945 Suttsu mine[ 122] Copper 42°46′19″N 140°17′35″E / 42.772°N 140.293°E / 42.772; 140.293 Suttsu District, Hokkaido ? 1962 Akenobe mine[ 9] Copper 35°16′59″N 134°40′01″E / 35.283°N 134.667°E / 35.283; 134.667 Yabu, Hyōgo 1908 1987 Myoho mine[ 9] Copper 33°39′11″N 135°49′08″E / 33.653°N 135.819°E / 33.653; 135.819 Higashimuro District, Wakayama 1948 1965 Mogami coal field[ 22] [ 23] [ 24] Germanium 38°36′47″N 140°19′52″E / 38.613°N 140.331°E / 38.613; 140.331 Ōishida , Yamagata ? open lignite rich in germanium Ōkuki mine[ 47] [ 48] Gold 33°30′50″N 132°39′22″E / 33.514°N 132.656°E / 33.514; 132.656 Uchiko, Ehime ? ? Takaura mine[ 57] [ 58] Gold 33°22′34″N 132°07′19″E / 33.376°N 132.122°E / 33.376; 132.122 Ikata, Ehime 1914 1965 Taio gold mine [ 123] [ 124] Gold 33°08′20″N 130°53′38″E / 33.139°N 130.894°E / 33.139; 130.894 Hita, Ōita 1896 1972 now museum Bajo mine[ 125] Gold 33°28′52″N 131°31′01″E / 33.481°N 131.517°E / 33.481; 131.517 Bungotakada, Ōita ? ? Yakushima mine[ 126] Gold 30°21′32″N 130°31′44″E / 30.359°N 130.529°E / 30.359; 130.529 Yakushima ? 1958 leading tungsten producer Iwato mine[ 67] [ 68] Gold 31°16′37″N 130°19′34″E / 31.277°N 130.326°E / 31.277; 130.326 Makurazaki, Kagoshima ? ? Onoyama mine[ 127] Gold 31°56′17″N 130°43′52″E / 31.938°N 130.731°E / 31.938; 130.731 Yūsui, Kagoshima ? ? Akeshi mine[ 128] [ 129] Gold 31°18′36″N 130°22′44″E / 31.31°N 130.379°E / 31.31; 130.379 Minamikyūshū , Kagoshima ? 198x closed Kasuga mine[ 130] Gold 31°15′58″N 130°16′30″E / 31.266°N 130.275°E / 31.266; 130.275 Makurazaki, Kagoshima ? open silica with gold as by-product Kushikino mine[ 131] [ 132] Gold 31°45′14″N 130°18′00″E / 31.754°N 130.3°E / 31.754; 130.3 Kushikino, Kagoshima Mitsui mining 195# closed Yamagano mine [ 133] [ 134] Gold 31°55′08″N 130°37′01″E / 31.919°N 130.617°E / 31.919; 130.617 Kirishima, Kagoshima 1642 1965 Hishikari mine [ 135] [ 136] [ 137] Gold 31°59′31″N 130°42′29″E / 31.992°N 130.708°E / 31.992; 130.708 Yūsui, Kagoshima Sumitomo Metal Mining 1985 open the only open gold mine of Japan as in 2014 Fuke mine[ 138] [ 139] [ 140] Gold 32°09′00″N 130°37′01″E / 32.15°N 130.617°E / 32.15; 130.617 Isa, Kagoshima Toa mining 1937 1976 also nearby Okuchi mine Sannotake mine[ 13] [ 14] Gold 33°42′N 130°51′E / 33.7°N 130.85°E / 33.7; 130.85 Tagawa, Fukuoka ? ? includes Yokozuru mine Yoshino mine[ 141] [ 142] [ 143] [ 144] Gold 38°09′11″N 140°11′49″E / 38.153°N 140.197°E / 38.153; 140.197 Nan'yō, Yamagata ? 1975 Isobe-Koyama mine[ 76] [ 77] Gold 38°27′00″N 140°13′01″E / 38.45°N 140.217°E / 38.45; 140.217 Sagae, Yamagata 1932 1977 Oya mine[ 145] Gold 38°52′01″N 141°31′19″E / 38.867°N 141.522°E / 38.867; 141.522 Motoyoshi, Miyagi 1915 1971 Tsunatori mine[ 85] Gold 39°18′14″N 140°56′31″E / 39.304°N 140.942°E / 39.304; 140.942 Waga District, Iwate 1908 1962 Nakase mine[ 146] Gold 35°21′29″N 134°37′30″E / 35.358°N 134.625°E / 35.358; 134.625 Yabu, Hyōgo ? ? Ōmidani mine[ 147] Gold 35°14′46″N 134°38′49″E / 35.246°N 134.647°E / 35.246; 134.647 Shisō, Hyōgo 1961 1983 Takeno mine[ 148] Gold 35°36′40″N 134°44′10″E / 35.611°N 134.736°E / 35.611; 134.736 Kinosaki, Hyōgo ? ? Asahi mine[ 149] Gold 34°54′07″N 134°18′50″E / 34.902°N 134.314°E / 34.902; 134.314 Asago, Hyōgo 1921 1985 Nebazawa mine[ 150] [ 151] Gold 36°52′16″N 139°19′19″E / 36.871°N 139.322°E / 36.871; 139.322 Katashina, Gunma 1961 1982 Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine [ 98] [ 99] Gold 35°09′50″N 132°26′31″E / 35.164°N 132.442°E / 35.164; 132.442 Ōda, Shimane 130# 1923 world leading medieval silver producer Tsumo mine[ 100] [ 101] Gold 34°39′00″N 131°59′10″E / 34.65°N 131.986°E / 34.65; 131.986 Masuda, Shimane 1950x ? Seikoshi mine[ 152] [ 153] Gold 34°54′00″N 138°49′37″E / 34.9°N 138.827°E / 34.9; 138.827 Toi, Shizuoka 1935 1983 Kawazu mine[ 154] Gold 34°41′56″N 138°55′19″E / 34.699°N 138.922°E / 34.699; 138.922 Shimoda, Shizuoka 1915 1959 Yugashima mine[ 155] Gold 34°52′52″N 138°54′50″E / 34.881°N 138.914°E / 34.881; 138.914 Amagiyugashima, Shizuoka 1939 1958 Mochikoshi mine[ 156] Gold 34°52′34″N 138°51′50″E / 34.876°N 138.864°E / 34.876; 138.864 Amagiyugashima, Shizuoka 1929 1952 Sado mine [ 157] Gold 38°02′17″N 138°15′40″E / 38.038°N 138.261°E / 38.038; 138.261 Sado, Niigata 1601 1974 Togi mine[ 158] [ 159] Gold 37°08′38″N 136°46′59″E / 37.144°N 136.783°E / 37.144; 136.783 Shika, Ishikawa Mitsubishi Metal Mining 1906 1942 Mumaya mine[ 160] Gold 36°04′01″N 137°01′26″E / 36.067°N 137.024°E / 36.067; 137.024 Shōkawa, Gifu 159# ? Tsugu mine[ 4] [ 5] Gold 35°10′41″N 137°37′44″E / 35.178°N 137.629°E / 35.178; 137.629 Shitara, Aichi 15## 1956 Kamaishi mine[ 117] Gold 39°18′00″N 141°40′59″E / 39.3°N 141.683°E / 39.3; 141.683 Kamaishi, Iwate 1727 1993 Dominant iron producer of Japan pre-war Nishizawa mine[ 161] Gold 36°52′08″N 139°29′53″E / 36.869°N 139.498°E / 36.869; 139.498 Nikkō, Tochigi 1928 ? Chitose mine [ja ] [ 162] Gold 42°43′30″N 141°13′01″E / 42.725°N 141.217°E / 42.725; 141.217 Chitose, Hokkaido 1936 1974 Hokuryu mine[ 163] Gold 44°32′31″N 142°49′01″E / 44.542°N 142.817°E / 44.542; 142.817 Monbetsu, Hokkaido ? 1943 Konomai gold mine [ 164] Gold 44°08′06″N 143°20′56″E / 44.135°N 143.349°E / 44.135; 143.349 Monbetsu, Hokkaido 1917 1973 Horobetsu mine[ 120] Gold 42°28′30″N 141°03′00″E / 42.475°N 141.05°E / 42.475; 141.05 Noboribetsu, Hokkaido 1898 1973 Sanru mine [ja ] [ 165] Gold 44°22′59″N 142°38′31″E / 44.383°N 142.642°E / 44.383; 142.642 Shimokawa, Hokkaido 1926 1983 Kitanoo mine[ 166] Gold 43°55′30″N 143°34′08″E / 43.925°N 143.569°E / 43.925; 143.569 Kitami, Hokkaido 1924 1943 Teine mine [ja ] [ 167] Gold 43°05′31″N 141°12′11″E / 43.092°N 141.203°E / 43.092; 141.203 Sapporo , Hokkaido 1941 1971 Shizukari Mine [ja ] [ 168] Gold 42°36′00″N 140°27′29″E / 42.6°N 140.458°E / 42.6; 140.458 Shiribeshi, Hokkaido 1918 1962 Ponshikaribetsu mine[ 169] Gold 43°11′02″N 140°47′10″E / 43.184°N 140.786°E / 43.184; 140.786 Shiribeshi, Hokkaido 1891 open Todoroki mine[ 170] Gold 43°00′29″N 140°55′30″E / 43.008°N 140.925°E / 43.008; 140.925 Shiribeshi, Hokkaido 1903 1974 Toi gold mine Gold 34°54′29″N 138°47′35″E / 34.908°N 138.793°E / 34.908; 138.793 Toi Sumitomo Group 1370 1965 Kōryū Mine [ja ] [ 171] Gold 42°47′35″N 141°17′10″E / 42.793°N 141.286°E / 42.793; 141.286 Eniwa, Hokkaido 1935 1943 Amou mine[ 172] Gold 36°14′02″N 136°57′14″E / 36.234°N 136.954°E / 36.234; 136.954 Shirakawa, Gifu (village) ? closed large gold deposit Sennotani mine[ 173] Graphite 36°42′36″N 137°10′01″E / 36.71°N 137.167°E / 36.71; 137.167 Toyama, Toyama ? 1967 85% of graphite producer of Japan in 1951 Amou mine[ 172] Graphite 36°14′02″N 136°57′14″E / 36.234°N 136.954°E / 36.234; 136.954 Shirakawa, Gifu (village) ? closed Leading graphite producer of Japan Toyoha mine [ 174] Indium 42°58′48″N 141°02′28″E / 42.98°N 141.041°E / 42.98; 141.041 Sapporo , Hokkaido ? 2006 World leading indium producer until exhausted Kunimiyama mine[ 175] [ 176] Iron 33°37′52″N 133°25′08″E / 33.631°N 133.419°E / 33.631; 133.419 Kōchi, Kōchi ? closed Sannotake mine[ 13] [ 14] Iron 33°42′N 130°51′E / 33.7°N 130.85°E / 33.7; 130.85 Tagawa, Fukuoka ? ? includes Yokozuru mine Kabasawa mine[ 177] [ 178] Iron 38°19′34″N 140°43′41″E / 38.326°N 140.728°E / 38.326; 140.728 Aoba-ku, Sendai ? ? Matsuo mine [ 179] [ 180] Iron 39°55′59″N 140°55′59″E / 39.933°N 140.933°E / 39.933; 140.933 Matsuo, Iwate 1914 1971 important iron and sulphur producer Sennin mine[ 86] Iron 39°18′40″N 140°53′20″E / 39.311°N 140.889°E / 39.311; 140.889 Waga District, Iwate 1911 1974 also called Wagasennin mine Gunma-tetsuzan [ 10] Iron 36°39′11″N 138°35′49″E / 36.653°N 138.597°E / 36.653; 138.597 Nakanojō , Gunma 1943 1975 Akatani mine Iron 37°48′29″N 139°29′31″E / 37.808°N 139.492°E / 37.808; 139.492 Shibata, Niigata 1925 1975 Suwa mine[ 181] Iron 36°02′38″N 138°16′30″E / 36.044°N 138.275°E / 36.044; 138.275 Chino, Nagano ? 195# Akagane mine[ 182] Iron 39°10′01″N 141°19′59″E / 39.167°N 141.333°E / 39.167; 141.333 Esashi, Iwate 1912 1974 Kamaishi mine[ 117] Iron 39°18′00″N 141°40′59″E / 39.3°N 141.683°E / 39.3; 141.683 Kamaishi, Iwate 1727 1993 Dominant iron producer of Japan pre-war Shojingawa mine[ 183] Iron 41°53′42″N 140°41′56″E / 41.895°N 140.699°E / 41.895; 140.699 Nanae, Hokkaido 1897 1960 Kutchan mine[ 184] Iron 42°54′36″N 140°46′41″E / 42.91°N 140.778°E / 42.91; 140.778 Shiribeshi, Hokkaido ? ? Dominant iron producer of Japan during Pacific War Taishu mine[ 185] [ 186] Kaolinite 34°13′16″N 129°13′08″E / 34.221°N 129.219°E / 34.221; 129.219 Tsushima Island 699 open initially mined for silver, later switched for kaolinite Sarayama mine[ 187] Kaolinite 32°21′29″N 130°01′59″E / 32.358°N 130.033°E / 32.358; 130.033 Amakusa ? open Itaya mine[ 188] [ 189] Kaolinite 37°46′19″N 140°15′00″E / 37.772°N 140.25°E / 37.772; 140.25 Yonezawa, Yamagata ? ? paper-clay Hiraki mine[ 190] [ 191] Kaolinite 34°57′29″N 135°06′00″E / 34.958°N 135.1°E / 34.958; 135.1 Sanda, Hyōgo ? open High purity, used for fiber optics Hattori-Kawai mine[ 192] Kaolinite 36°23′35″N 136°35′49″E / 36.393°N 136.597°E / 36.393; 136.597 Nomi, Ishikawa andHakusan, Ishikawa 1930 open Hattori mine in Nomi closed in 2001 Shakanai mine [ 193] Lead 40°18′29″N 140°34′41″E / 40.308°N 140.578°E / 40.308; 140.578 Ōdate , Akita Dowa Holdings ? ? also contains Germanium , Indium and Gold Kosaka mine [ 38] Lead 40°20′13″N 140°45′14″E / 40.337°N 140.754°E / 40.337; 140.754 Kosaka, Akita Dowa Holdings 18## ? Hanaoka mine [ 39] Lead 40°18′32″N 140°33′07″E / 40.309°N 140.552°E / 40.309; 140.552 Ōdate , Akita Kajima , Dowa mining 1885 ? the site of Hanaoka Incident during WWII Mitate mine[ 62] [ 63] Lead 32°46′30″N 131°28′19″E / 32.775°N 131.472°E / 32.775; 131.472 Hinokage, Miyazaki Rasa Industries 1915 1970 on slopes of Mount Sobo Ohori mine[ 74] [ 75] Lead 38°44′46″N 140°27′50″E / 38.746°N 140.464°E / 38.746; 140.464 Mogami, Yamagata ? ? Yatani mine[ 194] [ 195] Lead 37°46′30″N 140°01′01″E / 37.775°N 140.017°E / 37.775; 140.017 Yonezawa, Yamagata ? ? also some gold and silver[ 196] Ōizumi mine[ 71] [ 72] [ 73] Lead 38°24′47″N 139°43′41″E / 38.413°N 139.728°E / 38.413; 139.728 Tsuruoka, Yamagata 1882 1950 Nissho mine[ 197] [ 198] Lead 38°59′31″N 140°14′31″E / 38.992°N 140.242°E / 38.992; 140.242 Mamurogawa , Yamagata 1937 1963 Hosokura mine [ 16] [ 17] Lead 38°48′29″N 140°54′00″E / 38.808°N 140.9°E / 38.808; 140.9 Kurihara, Miyagi 1898 1977 now become an amusement park Hanawa 2 mine[ 81] Lead 40°10′34″N 140°52′01″E / 40.176°N 140.867°E / 40.176; 140.867 Hachimantai , Iwate ? ? not to be confused with Hanawa manganese mine in Miyako, Iwate Taro mine[ 199] [ 200] [ 201] Lead 39°45′29″N 141°55′59″E / 39.758°N 141.933°E / 39.758; 141.933 Miyako, Iwate 1936 1979 reused for Cosmic-ray observatory of Meisei University Tsumo mine[ 100] [ 101] Lead 34°39′00″N 131°59′10″E / 34.65°N 131.986°E / 34.65; 131.986 Masuda, Shimane 195x ? Wanibuchi mine[ 202] [ 203] Lead 35°25′01″N 132°45′00″E / 35.417°N 132.75°E / 35.417; 132.75 Izumo, Shimane ? ? also important gypsum producer Nanetsu mine[ 204] Lead 37°05′38″N 139°02′31″E / 37.094°N 139.042°E / 37.094; 139.042 Muika, Niigata 1963 1971 Asahi-budo mine[ 205] Lead 38°24′00″N 139°33′40″E / 38.4°N 139.561°E / 38.4; 139.561 Murakami, Niigata 1941 1957 Otani mine[ 206] Lead 37°45′00″N 139°24′47″E / 37.75°N 139.413°E / 37.75; 139.413 Mikawa, Niigata 1632 1961 Hatasa mine[ 113] Lead 35°51′07″N 137°03′47″E / 35.852°N 137.063°E / 35.852; 137.063 Gujō , Gifu 1674 1916 Ohinata mine[ 207] Lead 36°10′01″N 138°28′59″E / 36.167°N 138.483°E / 36.167; 138.483 Sakuho, Nagano ? ? Closed Nakatatsu mine[ 115] Lead 35°52′23″N 136°34′41″E / 35.873°N 136.578°E / 35.873; 136.578 Ōno, Fukui ? ? Closed Toyoha mine [ 174] Lead 42°58′48″N 141°02′28″E / 42.98°N 141.041°E / 42.98; 141.041 Sapporo , Hokkaido ? 2006 World leading indium producer until exhausted Obira mine[ 6] Lead 32°50′31″N 131°34′41″E / 32.842°N 131.578°E / 32.842; 131.578 mount Sobo in Nishiusuki, Miyazaki 1617 1954 Inaushi mine[ 15] Lead 43°14′31″N 143°43′19″E / 43.242°N 143.722°E / 43.242; 143.722 Kitami, Hokkaido 1934 1964 Yoichi Mine[ 208] Lead 43°13′01″N 140°42′00″E / 43.217°N 140.7°E / 43.217; 140.7 Shakotan Peninsula , Hokkaido ? 1963 Suttsu mine[ 122] Lead 42°46′19″N 140°17′35″E / 42.772°N 140.293°E / 42.772; 140.293 Suttsu District, Hokkaido ? 1962 Nagatare mine[ 209] [ 210] Lithium 33°34′59″N 130°16′59″E / 33.583°N 130.283°E / 33.583; 130.283 Fukuoka , Fukuoka ? ? Ananai mine[ 211] Manganese 33°41′31″N 133°38′49″E / 33.692°N 133.647°E / 33.692; 133.647 Nankoku, Kōchi ? closed Kunimiyama mine[ 175] [ 176] Manganese 33°37′52″N 133°25′08″E / 33.631°N 133.419°E / 33.631; 133.419 Kōchi, Kōchi ? closed Kurase mine[ 212] Manganese 33°48′00″N 133°01′59″E / 33.8°N 133.033°E / 33.8; 133.033 Saijō, Ehime ? ? Ōizumi mine[ 71] [ 72] [ 73] Manganese 38°24′47″N 139°43′41″E / 38.413°N 139.728°E / 38.413; 139.728 Tsuruoka, Yamagata 1882 1950 Tanohata mine[ 213] Manganese 39°55′01″N 141°54′00″E / 39.917°N 141.9°E / 39.917; 141.9 Tanohata, Iwate ? ? a type location for a number of rare minerals Hanawa mine[ 214] Manganese 39°38′28″N 141°57′25″E / 39.641°N 141.957°E / 39.641; 141.957 Miyako, Iwate ? ? closed Noda-Tamagawa mine[ 215] [ 216] Manganese 40°04′23″N 141°48′29″E / 40.073°N 141.808°E / 40.073; 141.808 Noda, Iwate 1950 ? Shiromaru mine[ 217] Manganese 35°48′29″N 139°07′30″E / 35.808°N 139.125°E / 35.808; 139.125 Okutama, Tokyo ? ? now submerged, also called Hakumaru mine Kaso mine[ 218] [ 219] Manganese 36°36′14″N 139°37′59″E / 36.604°N 139.633°E / 36.604; 139.633 Kanuma, Tochigi 1947 ? Ōkura mine[ 220] Manganese 36°51′22″N 139°19′41″E / 36.856°N 139.328°E / 36.856; 139.328 Hannō, Saitama 1941 1945 Shōwa mine[ 221] Manganese 36°33′04″N 139°18′29″E / 36.551°N 139.308°E / 36.551; 139.308 Kiryū, Gunma ? ? closed Hamayokogawa mine[ 222] Manganese 35°58′23″N 137°54′00″E / 35.973°N 137.9°E / 35.973; 137.9 Kamiina District, Nagano 1925 1966 large deposits Searashi mine[ 223] Manganese 37°06′58″N 136°52′48″E / 37.116°N 136.88°E / 37.116; 136.88 Nanao, Ishikawa ? ? Fujii mine[ 224] Manganese 35°31′59″N 135°51′00″E / 35.533°N 135.85°E / 35.533; 135.85 Wakasa, Fukui ? ? Taguchi mine[ 225] Manganese 35°07′08″N 137°32′46″E / 35.119°N 137.546°E / 35.119; 137.546 Shitara, Aichi ? ? also Pyroxmangite gems Obira mine[ 6] Manganese 32°50′31″N 131°34′41″E / 32.842°N 131.578°E / 32.842; 131.578 mount Sobo in Nishiusuki, Miyazaki 1617 1954 Jokoku mine[ 226] Manganese 41°40′01″N 140°03′11″E / 41.667°N 140.053°E / 41.667; 140.053 Kaminokuni, Hokkaido ? ? Dominant manganese producer of Japan Inakuraishi mine[ 227] Manganese 43°09′00″N 140°37′59″E / 43.15°N 140.633°E / 43.15; 140.633 Furubira, Hokkaido 1946 open Largest manganese deposit in Japan Ryūshōden mine [ja ] Mercury 44°18′43″N 143°19′16″E / 44.312°N 143.321°E / 44.312; 143.321 Monbetsu, Hokkaido 1943 1974 Tosakubo mine[ 228] Mercury 33°48′N 133°57′E / 33.8°N 133.95°E / 33.8; 133.95 Monobe, Kōchi ? ? Ikadazu mine[ 52] Mercury 33°49′55″N 133°22′59″E / 33.832°N 133.383°E / 33.832; 133.383 Niihama, Ehime ? 1973 Itomuka mine [ 229] Mercury 43°40′59″N 143°10′01″E / 43.683°N 143.167°E / 43.683; 143.167 Tokoro, Hokkaido 1941 1974 dominant mercury producer of Japan Seikyu Mine[ 230] Molybdenum 35°17′17″N 132°59′20″E / 35.288°N 132.989°E / 35.288; 132.989 Daitō, Shimane 1954 1966 Daito Mine[ 231] Molybdenum 35°17′46″N 132°58′41″E / 35.296°N 132.978°E / 35.296; 132.978 Daitō, Shimane 1950 1966 Hirase Mine[ 232] Molybdenum 36°10′16″N 136°55′01″E / 36.171°N 136.917°E / 36.171; 136.917 Shirakawa, Gifu 1931 1979 Komaki Mine[ 233] Molybdenum 35°05′10″N 132°59′49″E / 35.086°N 132.997°E / 35.086; 132.997 Okuizumo, Shimane 1943 1984 Ōkawame mine[ 234] Molybdenum 40°11′24″N 141°46′34″E / 40.19°N 141.776°E / 40.19; 141.776 Kuji, Iwate 1943 1965 Chiyogahara mine[ 31] Nickel 38°52′01″N 141°21′00″E / 38.867°N 141.35°E / 38.867; 141.35 Fujisawa, Iwate ? ? Kamogawa mine[ 235] [ 236] Nickel 35°07′01″N 139°49′59″E / 35.117°N 139.833°E / 35.117; 139.833 Awa District, Chiba 1935 ? also called Kameoka mine Tenryū mine[ 34] [ 35] Nickel 35°16′59″N 137°51′00″E / 35.283°N 137.85°E / 35.283; 137.85 Tenryū, Nagano ? open Wakasa mine[ 237] Nickel 35°28′59″N 135°37′01″E / 35.483°N 135.617°E / 35.483; 135.617 Ōi, Fukui Mori Kogyo ? Open also silica mining Yamanoyoshida mine[ 238] Nickel 34°49′59″N 137°30′00″E / 34.833°N 137.5°E / 34.833; 137.5 Shinshiro, Aichi ? ? Kamikawa mine[ 239] Nickel 43°50′53″N 142°46′12″E / 43.848°N 142.77°E / 43.848; 142.77 Kamikawa, Hokkaido 1941 1945 Otanibira quarry[ 240] [ 241] Silica 30°47′28″N 130°18′18″E / 30.791°N 130.305°E / 30.791; 130.305 Iōjima (Kagoshima) ? 1997 initially mined for sulphur Motoyasu mine[ 46] Silver 33°47′46″N 133°15′11″E / 33.796°N 133.253°E / 33.796; 133.253 Saijō, Ehime 1877 1972 Taio mine[ 123] [ 124] Silver 33°08′20″N 130°53′38″E / 33.139°N 130.894°E / 33.139; 130.894 Hita, Ōita 1896 1972 now museum Bajo mine[ 125] Silver 33°28′52″N 131°31′01″E / 33.481°N 131.517°E / 33.481; 131.517 Bungotakada, Ōita ? ? Taishu mine[ 185] [ 186] Silver 34°13′16″N 129°13′08″E / 34.221°N 129.219°E / 34.221; 129.219 Tsushima Island 699 open initially mined for silver, later switched for kaolinite Iwato mine[ 67] [ 68] Silver 31°16′37″N 130°19′34″E / 31.277°N 130.326°E / 31.277; 130.326 Makurazaki, Kagoshima ? ? Kushikino mine[ 131] [ 132] Silver 31°45′14″N 130°18′00″E / 31.754°N 130.3°E / 31.754; 130.3 Kushikino, Kagoshima Mitsui mining 195# closed Yamagano mine [ 133] [ 134] Silver 31°55′08″N 130°37′01″E / 31.919°N 130.617°E / 31.919; 130.617 Kirishima, Kagoshima 1642 1965 Fuke mine[ 138] [ 139] [ 242] Silver 32°09′00″N 130°37′01″E / 32.15°N 130.617°E / 32.15; 130.617 Isa, Kagoshima Toa mining 1937 1976 also nearby Okuchi mine Yoshino mine[ 141] [ 142] [ 143] [ 144] Silver 38°09′11″N 140°11′49″E / 38.153°N 140.197°E / 38.153; 140.197 Nan'yō, Yamagata ? 1975 Oya mine[ 145] Silver 38°52′01″N 141°31′19″E / 38.867°N 141.522°E / 38.867; 141.522 Motoyoshi, Miyagi 1915 1971 Hosokura mine [ 16] [ 17] Silver 38°48′29″N 140°54′00″E / 38.808°N 140.9°E / 38.808; 140.9 Kurihara, Miyagi 1898 1977 now become an amusement park Nebazawa mine[ 150] [ 151] Silver 36°52′16″N 139°19′19″E / 36.871°N 139.322°E / 36.871; 139.322 Katashina, Gunma 1961 1982 Tsunatori mine[ 85] Silver 39°18′14″N 140°56′31″E / 39.304°N 140.942°E / 39.304; 140.942 Waga District, Iwate 1908 1962 Ōmidani mine[ 147] Silver 35°14′46″N 134°38′49″E / 35.246°N 134.647°E / 35.246; 134.647 Shisō, Hyōgo 1961 1983 Takeno mine[ 148] Silver 35°36′40″N 134°44′10″E / 35.611°N 134.736°E / 35.611; 134.736 Kinosaki, Hyōgo ? ? Tada mine [ 93] Silver 34°53′35″N 135°21′29″E / 34.893°N 135.358°E / 34.893; 135.358 Inagawa, Hyōgo Nihon Kogyo 1211 1973 Asahi mine[ 149] Silver 34°54′07″N 134°18′50″E / 34.902°N 134.314°E / 34.902; 134.314 Asago, Hyōgo 1921 1985 Tochigi mine[ 94] Silver 36°47′38″N 139°48′50″E / 36.794°N 139.814°E / 36.794; 139.814 Shioya, Tochigi 1946 1965 Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine [ 98] [ 99] Silver 35°09′50″N 132°26′31″E / 35.164°N 132.442°E / 35.164; 132.442 Ōda, Shimane 130# 1923 world leading medieval silver producer Seikoshi mine[ 152] [ 153] Silver 34°54′00″N 138°49′37″E / 34.9°N 138.827°E / 34.9; 138.827 Toi, Shizuoka 1935 1983 Yugashima mine[ 155] Silver 34°52′52″N 138°54′50″E / 34.881°N 138.914°E / 34.881; 138.914 Amagiyugashima, Shizuoka 1939 1958 Mochikoshi mine[ 156] Silver 34°52′34″N 138°51′50″E / 34.876°N 138.864°E / 34.876; 138.864 Amagiyugashima, Shizuoka 1929 1952 Sado mine [ 157] Silver 38°02′17″N 138°15′40″E / 38.038°N 138.261°E / 38.038; 138.261 Sado, Niigata 1601 1974 Togi mine[ 158] [ 159] Silver 37°08′38″N 136°46′59″E / 37.144°N 136.783°E / 37.144; 136.783 Shika, Ishikawa Mitsubishi Metal Mining 1906 1942 Hatasa mine[ 113] Silver 35°51′07″N 137°03′47″E / 35.852°N 137.063°E / 35.852; 137.063 Gujō , Gifu 1674 1916 Kamaishi mine[ 117] Silver 39°18′00″N 141°40′59″E / 39.3°N 141.683°E / 39.3; 141.683 Kamaishi, Iwate 1727 1993 Dominant iron producer of Japan pre-war Toyoha mine [ 174] Silver 42°58′48″N 141°02′28″E / 42.98°N 141.041°E / 42.98; 141.041 Sapporo , Hokkaido ? 2006 World leading indium producer until exhausted Nishizawa mine[ 161] Silver 36°52′08″N 139°29′53″E / 36.869°N 139.498°E / 36.869; 139.498 Nikkō, Tochigi 1928 ? Ikuno mine[ 243] Silver 35°10′01″N 134°49′30″E / 35.167°N 134.825°E / 35.167; 134.825 Asago, Hyōgo 807 1973 Chitose mine [ja ] [ 162] Silver 42°43′30″N 141°13′01″E / 42.725°N 141.217°E / 42.725; 141.217 Chitose, Hokkaido 1936 1974 Hokuryu mine[ 163] Silver 44°32′31″N 142°49′01″E / 44.542°N 142.817°E / 44.542; 142.817 Monbetsu, Hokkaido ? 1943 Konomai mines[ 164] Silver 44°08′06″N 143°20′56″E / 44.135°N 143.349°E / 44.135; 143.349 Monbetsu, Hokkaido 1917 1973 important silver producer of Japan Horobetsu mine[ 120] Silver 42°28′30″N 141°03′00″E / 42.475°N 141.05°E / 42.475; 141.05 Noboribetsu, Hokkaido 1898 1973 Sanru mine [ja ] [ 165] Silver 44°22′59″N 142°38′31″E / 44.383°N 142.642°E / 44.383; 142.642 Shimokawa, Hokkaido 1926 1983 Kitanoo mine[ 166] Silver 43°55′30″N 143°34′08″E / 43.925°N 143.569°E / 43.925; 143.569 Kitami, Hokkaido 1924 1943 Shizukari Mine [ja ] [ 168] Silver 42°36′00″N 140°27′29″E / 42.6°N 140.458°E / 42.6; 140.458 Shiribeshi, Hokkaido 1918 1962 Suttsu mine[ 122] Silver 42°46′19″N 140°17′35″E / 42.772°N 140.293°E / 42.772; 140.293 Suttsu District, Hokkaido ? 1962 Kōryū Mine [ja ] [ 171] Silver 42°47′35″N 141°17′10″E / 42.793°N 141.286°E / 42.793; 141.286 Eniwa, Hokkaido 1935 1943 Nonowaki mine[ 41] [ 42] Sulphur 33°54′00″N 134°14′49″E / 33.9°N 134.247°E / 33.9; 134.247 Naka, Tokushima ? 196# Shirataki mine[ 26] [ 27] [ 28] Sulphur 33°49′41″N 133°28′19″E / 33.828°N 133.472°E / 33.828; 133.472 Ōkawa, Kōchi Nippon Mining Co ? ? Shingu mine[ 44] [ 45] Sulphur 33°55′59″N 133°37′59″E / 33.933°N 133.633°E / 33.933; 133.633 Shikokuchūō , Ehime 1911 1975 also diamond-bearing Lherzolite Ōkuki mine[ 47] [ 48] Sulphur 33°30′50″N 132°39′22″E / 33.514°N 132.656°E / 33.514; 132.656 Uchiko, Ehime ? ? Suzuyama mine[ 244] [ 245] Sulphur 31°29′N 130°27′E / 31.49°N 130.45°E / 31.49; 130.45 Kagoshima , Kagoshima 184x closed water treatment plant still active Taro mine[ 199] [ 200] [ 201] Sulphur 39°45′29″N 141°55′59″E / 39.758°N 141.933°E / 39.758; 141.933 Miyako, Iwate 1936 1979 reused for Cosmic-ray observatory of Meisei University Matsuo mine [ 179] [ 180] Sulphur 39°55′59″N 140°55′59″E / 39.933°N 140.933°E / 39.933; 140.933 Matsuo, Iwate 1914 1971 important iron and sulphur producer Yanahara mine[ 107] [ 108] Sulphur 34°57′29″N 134°04′08″E / 34.958°N 134.069°E / 34.958; 134.069 Misaki, Okayama 195# 1970 also produced iron oxide for audio tapes Horobetsu sulphur mine[ 246] Sulphur 42°33′54″N 140°58′34″E / 42.565°N 140.976°E / 42.565; 140.976 Sōbetsu, Hokkaido 1940 1959 Kobui mine[ 247] Sulphur 41°46′01″N 140°43′59″E / 41.767°N 140.733°E / 41.767; 140.733 Hakodate, Hokkaido 1904 1952 Shojingawa mine[ 183] Sulphur 41°53′42″N 140°41′56″E / 41.895°N 140.699°E / 41.895; 140.699 Nanae, Hokkaido 1938 1960 Shiretoko mine[ 248] Sulphur 44°07′59″N 145°09′40″E / 44.133°N 145.161°E / 44.133; 145.161 Shiretoko Peninsula , Hokkaido 1937 ? deposit created in volcanic eruption of 1936 Akan mine[ 249] Sulphur 43°27′07″N 144°05′56″E / 43.452°N 144.099°E / 43.452; 144.099 Ashoro, Hokkaido 1951 open Kiura mine[ 250] Tin 32°48′N 131°33′E / 32.8°N 131.55°E / 32.8; 131.55 Saiki, Ōita 16## ? also mined for emery Obira mine[ 6] Tin 32°50′31″N 131°34′41″E / 32.842°N 131.578°E / 32.842; 131.578 Bungo-ōno , Oita ? ? also contains boron and fluorine minerals Hoei mine[ 251] [ 252] Tin 32°51′32″N 131°27′11″E / 32.859°N 131.453°E / 32.859; 131.453 Bungo-ōno , Oita ? closed Yakushima mine[ 126] Tin 30°21′32″N 130°31′44″E / 30.359°N 130.529°E / 30.359; 130.529 Yakushima ? 1958 leading tungsten producer Mitate mine[ 62] [ 63] Tin 32°46′30″N 131°28′19″E / 32.775°N 131.472°E / 32.775; 131.472 Hinokage, Miyazaki Rasa Industries 1915 1970 on slopes of Mount Sobo Suzuyama mine[ 244] [ 245] Tin 31°29′N 130°27′E / 31.49°N 130.45°E / 31.49; 130.45 Kagoshima , Kagoshima 184x closed water treatment plant still active Tada mine [ 93] Tin 34°53′35″N 135°21′29″E / 34.893°N 135.358°E / 34.893; 135.358 Inagawa, Hyōgo Nihon Kogyo 1211 1973 Akenobe mine[ 9] Tin 35°16′59″N 134°40′01″E / 35.283°N 134.667°E / 35.283; 134.667 Yabu, Hyōgo 1908 1987 dominant tin producer of Japan Obira mine[ 6] Tin 32°50′31″N 131°34′41″E / 32.842°N 131.578°E / 32.842; 131.578 mount Sobo in Nishiusuki, Miyazaki 1617 1954 Kabasawa mine[ 177] [ 178] Titanium 38°19′34″N 140°43′41″E / 38.326°N 140.728°E / 38.326; 140.728 Aoba-ku, Sendai ? ? Yakushima mine[ 126] Tungsten 30°21′32″N 130°31′44″E / 30.359°N 130.529°E / 30.359; 130.529 Yakushima ? 1958 leading tungsten producer Takatori mine[ 253] Tungsten 36°30′00″N 140°17′38″E / 36.5°N 140.294°E / 36.5; 140.294 Shirosato, Ibaraki ? ? also Rhodochrosite gems Kuga mine[ 254] Tungsten 34°13′01″N 132°01′30″E / 34.217°N 132.025°E / 34.217; 132.025 Iwakuni , Yamaguchi ? ? Fujigatani mine[ 97] Tungsten 34°08′38″N 132°01′01″E / 34.144°N 132.017°E / 34.144; 132.017 Iwakuni , Yamaguchi 1955 1977 closed Tsumo mine[ 100] [ 101] Tungsten 34°39′00″N 131°59′10″E / 34.65°N 131.986°E / 34.65; 131.986 Masuda, Shimane 195x ? Fukuoka mine[ 12] Tungsten 35°35′10″N 137°28′05″E / 35.586°N 137.468°E / 35.586; 137.468 Nakatsugawa, Gifu Furukawa ? ? Closed Komaki Mine[ 233] Tungsten 35°05′10″N 132°59′49″E / 35.086°N 132.997°E / 35.086; 132.997 Okuizumo, Shimane 1911 1984 Akenobe mine[ 9] Tungsten 35°16′59″N 134°40′01″E / 35.283°N 134.667°E / 35.283; 134.667 Yabu, Hyōgo 1908 1987 Otani mine[ 255] Tungsten 35°01′59″N 135°31′01″E / 35.033°N 135.517°E / 35.033; 135.517 Kameoka, Kyoto 1912 1983 Yaguki mine[ 119] Tungsten 37°10′16″N 140°54′54″E / 37.171°N 140.915°E / 37.171; 140.915 Iwaki, Fukushima 1945 1974 Ningyo-toge mine[ 256] [ 257] Uranium 35°18′29″N 133°55′59″E / 35.308°N 133.933°E / 35.308; 133.933 Kagamino, Okayama 1969 1982 dominant uranium producer of Japan Tono mine[ 258] Uranium 35°24′29″N 137°13′59″E / 35.408°N 137.233°E / 35.408; 137.233 Mizunami, Gifu 2001 open Kabasawa mine[ 177] [ 178] Vanadium