Furukawa Ashio History Museum

A moving page from the dawn of Japan’s modern development.

Overview of the Furukawa Ashio History Museum

Ashio Copper Mine is one of the most important copper-producing sites in Japanese history. Discovered during the Sengoku period (1550), it was later mined under the direct control of the Edo shogunate. It once served as an essential source of material for Kan’ei Tsūhō, the currency of the time. As output later declined, the mine was taken over by the Furukawa family during the Meiji period. Due to advances in technology, new ore veins were found, and under the then national policy of enriching the country and strengthening the military, the mine prospered, making the Furukawa family magnates of the mining industry.

The Furukawa Ashio History Museum tells the stirring story of that industrial dawn. In addition to models of the Ashio Mining Office and stories of successive managers, it also exhibits the various tools used by miners in those days, recounting the history of the Ashio area.

Location Map

Basic Information

Address	2825 Matsubara, Ashio-machi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Telephone Number	0288-25-5810
Business Hours	Opening Period: Every year from April to November Open Days: Weekends and national holidays Hours: 10:00~16:00
Price	Adults (high school students and older): 400 yen Children (elementary & junior high school students): 300 yen Free for visitors with a disability certificate
Map Code	489 757 719*45

Nikko Area

The Nikko area, in the northwestern part of the prefecture, is particularly mountainous. In the midst of the rich nature, including the 2,486-meter-high volcano Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls, there are numerous shrines and temples that are registered as UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites. From Kinugawa Onsen to Kawaji Onsen, hot springs can also be found throughout the area. There are a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy as well, such as stand-up paddleboarding in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.