Site of Shishiori Mine

This mine is located along the upper reaches of the Shishiori River in Kesennuma. With the modernization of mining practices that took place during the Meiji era, the mine produced “Monster Gold,” Japan’s largest nugget of natural gold, to the amazement of the world. The mine played a key role in making the gold mines of Michinoku a resource for supporting the nation. From the old mine office at the foot of the mountain to up in the mountains themselves, there are the remains of mineshafts, minecart tracks, and mounds of dumped ore.