Sado Nishi Mikawa Gold Park

Overview

Sado Nishi Mikawa Gold Park is an experiential museum located in Nishi Mikawa, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, built on the site of the Nishi Mikawa Sand Gold Mine, said to be the oldest gold mine on Sado Island. Full-scale development of this Nishi Mikawa Sand Gold Mine began in 1460, and it's known as one of the oldest gold mines on the island. After its closure in 1872, gold panning for tourists began in 1981, and the Gold Panning Festival started in 1986. Then, in 1990, Sado Nishi Mikawa Gold Park opened with the aim of creating tourism resources and employment. In addition to the gold panning experience facility, the park features a historical museum, a souvenir shop, and a "Machihiroba" (local residents' plaza) where local people sell their specialties. The gold panning experience offers three courses: a beginner's course in a tank, an intermediate course in an artificial river, and an advanced course in a nearby river. You can take your collected gold home in a case, and for an extra fee, you can have it made into a strap or keychain on the spot. The surrounding area also preserves remnants of the former sand gold mining areas and landscapes featuring galaishi (rough stones) used in stone walls, designated as an Important Cultural Landscape of Japan. Sado Nishi Mikawa Gold Park is a recommended sightseeing spot where you can enjoy the history and nature of Sado Island.