- Graveyard for Mushukunin (drifters)
Graveyard for Mushukunin (drifters)
A resting place of drainage labourers in Aikawa
Inscribed with birthplace, posthumous Buddhist names, names and ages of twenty-eight mushukuknin, who worked as a drainage labourer and deceased underground in 1853, a gravestone stands in the middle of mountains. In the Edo Period, to secure labour at the gold mine, 1,800-some mushukunin were forced to come and work in a mine from Edo (present-day Tokyo), and Osaka and Nagasaki, both of which were under direct control of the Edo Shogunate. Mushukunin is people who do not have fixed address arrested under the Shogunate's public security measures. Due to the hard labour, mushukunin is said to have lived a short life.
Facility Basic Information
- Address
- Aikawa Sotokumachi, Sado, Niigata
- Transport Access
- Ryotsu Port Approx 50 minutes by car
- Nearest bus stop
- Sado Kinzanmae [Sado Gold Mine] （Honsen [Main Line], Nanaura Kaigansen Line） Approx. 15 minutes on foot from bus stop
- Parking
- Not Available
Nearby Spots
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Heritage and RelicsFormer Aikawa Detention Center
Up the hill on Kyomachi Street in Aikawa, you will see an ivy-covered three-metre high concrete wall. Former Aikawa Detention Center was opened as a branch of Niigata Prison in 1954, and was in use until 1972 when it was relocated in the Sawata area. Designated as Japan's Tangible Cultural Property, this is a wooden detention house still in existence, which is rarely found in Japan. Former Aikawa Detention Center is open to the public and free of charge, so you can take a look around.
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Townscape Other Tea House/Coffee ShopGashima Cinema
Gashima Cinema is located on historical Kyomachi Street, which connects Sado Gold and Silver Mine with the Sado Commissioner's Office. This former residence of the Sado Gold Mine captain, built about 80 years ago, has been converted into a café while maintaining the ambiance of the olden days. A monthly featured film is shown daily, and a monthly book corner provides movie-related books. An old carbon arc film projector, which was once used at an actual movie theatre, is on display. This spot is perfect for a break on a stroll through history, in the old mining town of Aikawa.
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Gold and Silver Mines Heritage and RelicsHistoric Site Sado Kinzan Gold Mine
Sado Kinzan Gold Mine is a collection of historic relics which tell the 400-year history of Sado's gold and silver mines. On the Sodayu Tunnel, full-size dolls and robots provide accurate presentations of the workings of the mines in the past. On the Doyu Tunnel, relics of modernization and industrialization still remain. In addition, industrial heritage sites such as "the best ore dressing plant in the East" and "Japan's first Western-style vertical shaft" are preserved in good condition in the surrounding area, surprising visitors with their grand scale.
Stores where you can eat and drink nearby
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Italian Cuisine Casual Eatery Soba (buckwheat) and Udon NoodlesSoba Restaurant Yozaemon
This relaxing, tranquil restaurant was converted from the home of a mine captain on Aikawa's Kyomachi Street. Highlights include hand-kneaded soba noodles made from home-grown-and-ground buckwheat, soba croquettes, and soba shiruko (sweet red bean soup with soba dumplings). This restaurant is open on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays only.
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Townscape Other Tea House/Coffee Shop
Gashima Cinema
Gashima Cinema is located on historical Kyomachi Street, which connects Sado Gold and Silver Mine with the Sado Commissioner's Office. This former residence of the Sado Gold Mine captain, built about 80 years ago, has been converted into a café while maintaining the ambiance of the olden days. A monthly featured film is shown daily, and a monthly book corner provides movie-related books. An old carbon arc film projector, which was once used at an actual movie theatre, is on display. This spot is perfect for a break on a stroll through history, in the old mining town of Aikawa.
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Tea House/Coffee Shop Steak and Burger steakKitazawa Terrace
Located in the Kitazawa Floating Ore Dressing Plant, a historic site, the restaurant offers a spectacular view of the ore dressing plant as well as the 50-meter thickener. The restaurant offers Western-style cuisine, mainly featuring Sado Island Kurobuta pork, which is raised by Ryokan Urashima. We also offer drinks only, including original drinks supervised by Ryokan Urashima.
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Tea House/Coffee Shop Italian CuisineKyomachi-tei
Converted from an old Japanese-style house in the Aikawa area, this dining establishment offers a hotel-like atmosphere with a sense of Sado's long-standing traditions. Enjoy dishes highlighting Sado-sourced ingredients while taking in the stunning views of Aikawa. The outdoor terrace is a perfect spot to enjoy a warm and sunny day. This spot also offers a space for rent, so exhibitions and live entertainment are a common occurrence.