Sado Bugyosho Ruins

Overview

The Sado Bugyosho Ruins are the remains of an Edo-period facility that governed Sado Island, which became a Tenryo (direct territory of the Shogunate) after the discovery of the Sado Gold Mine. It comprised an office (Oyaku-sho) for managing the gold and silver mines and administering the island, a processing plant (Kataba) for refining gold and silver, and the magistrate's residence (Ojin-ya). The Oyaku-sho and Kataba have been restored, offering a glimpse into daily life of that era. At the Oyaku-sho, you can imagine the lives of the magistrates and officials of the time. At the Kataba, you can even participate in the gold and silver ore processing. You can experience grinding ore with a stone mill (ishiusu) and try "neko nagashi," a method of separating gold and silver using water currents. These experiences provide insights into Sado Gold Mine's mining methods and technologies during the Edo period. The Sado Bugyosho Ruins are a valuable historical site for a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the Sado Gold Mine. Highly recommended for those interested in the Sado Gold Mine and history buffs alike. Come and imagine life on Sado Island during the Edo period.