Guide
The Former Kosaka Mining Office is a highly significant architectural site located in Kosaka Town, Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture, recognized as an Industrial Heritage of Japan. Constructed in 1905 (Meiji 38), this three-story wooden building features a Western-style design with Renaissance architectural elements and is designated as a national Important Cultural Property. It serves as a precious relic that conveys the role the Kosaka Mine played in Japan's modernization and its function as a central hub during that era. Although the building was once dismantled, it was meticulously reconstructed and relocated to its current site as part of the "Meiji 100 Years Street Concept" of Kosaka Town. Every detail, from the white plaster walls to the copper-plated roofing, was restored based on original blueprints to faithfully preserve the historical landscape.
The building was established as the headquarters for the Kosaka Mine by the Fujita Group during the Meiji era. It is believed to have been designed by Yutaro Kitayuguchi, a member of the Kosaka Mining Office's construction department, and is a rare example of office architecture in a modern Japanese mine. While it served as an actual office until 1997, it was eventually dismantled due to factory expansions. In 2001, it was relocated to its current site and reborn as a tourist facility. In 2002, it was designated an Important Cultural Property, and in 2007, it was recognized as an "Industrial Heritage of Japan" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Furthermore, in 2022, it was selected as one of the "50 Infrastructures of Akita to be Passed Down to the Future," highlighting its importance as a symbol of regional history.
The greatest draw is the exquisite Renaissance-style exterior and the dignified interior. The building features a