It's a well-known fact among Hokkaido residents that numerous coal mines once dotted the landscape. However, not many people today know what it was actually like to work in one.

That's where the Former Taiheiyo Coal Mine Exhibition Hall in Kushiro City comes in. With its powerful, realistic exhibits, including a mock mine tunnel, it's a tourist spot that is sure to captivate both adults and children.


As times changed, many coal mines were forced to close. Among Hokkaido's numerous mines, the Taiheiyo Coal Mine in Kushiro was the very last one to continue production. The exhibition hall now stands on a corner of the former mine's site.
The first thing that catches your eye upon entering is the largest lump of coal in Japan. This massive, gleaming black chunk is so large that it could be used as household fuel in Kushiro City for two entire winters—an astonishing fact. Beyond the entrance, in the dome-shaped exhibition hall, you can learn all about coal, from its origins to the process of turning it into a commercial product.
Passing through the exhibition hall and down the stairs, you'll find the mock mine tunnel floor. This is a full-scale replica of an actual mine tunnel, which dramatically increases the sense of realism. Of course, all the machinery on display here was actually used inside the mine. You'll feel as if you've traveled back in time to the era when coal mining was one of Kushiro's three major industries.
This exhibition hall was built with the hope that people would once again turn their attention to the fading history of coal mining. Even if you have no prior knowledge of the subject, the sheer power of the exhibits is sure to pique your interest. When you visit Kushiro, why not stop by?

Former Taiheiyo Coal Mine Exhibition Hall
Location: 3-1-16 Sakuragaoka, Kushiro, Hokkaido
Phone: 0154-91-5117
Related Website: https://www.city.kushiro.lg.jp/sangyou/san_shien/sekitann/00001_00001.html