【World Heritage Miyahara Pit】
Journey to the Heart of
Miike Coal Mine!
Hey there! It’s Onicky from the Poor Camper team! 💪
This time, I visited a super important spot that supported Japan’s industry from its very foundation: the World Heritage Site “Miyahara Pit”!
It’s full of exciting stories about “Japan’s oldest steel headframe” and “one of the world’s largest pumps.”
And guess what? Admission is FREE! Let’s embark on a journey to the core of Japan’s modernization!
@camp_de_zakki #CapCut #MiyaharaPit #MiikeCoalMine #WorldHeritage #Omuta ♬ Cool x Retro Electro Swing – Ponetto
Thorough dissection of Miyahara Pit’s highlights!
Highlight 1: The Second Shaft Winding Tower
Look at this giant iron tower standing on the hill! This is the symbol of Miyahara Pit, and believe it or not, it’s Japan’s oldest existing steel headframe. It stands about 22m tall! 😲 It’s overwhelming to think that such a massive and beautiful steel structure was built over 100 years ago. By the way, I heard they repaint it every few years.
Highlight 2: The Second Shaft Winding Engine Room and the Rulebook of Life
The beautiful red brick building next to the tower is the Winding Engine Room. 🧱 Inside, the massive winding machine that operated the tower’s elevator remains just as it was in 1933!
And look at this sign on the wall! This was the “Rulebook of Life” for the operators back then. Safety rules, machine specs, signals from underground, and even working hours are all written here. For example…
- “Stop”: 1 signal
- “Wind” (Up): 2 signals
- “Lower” (Down): 3 signals
- “Emergency”: 20 or more signals
It even specifies things like entering the pit at 7:30 AM and surfacing after 3:30 PM. You can really feel the tension and strong safety awareness of that time from this single board.
Onicky’s Trivia! What’s so great about “Coal” anyway?
Why did they build such huge facilities to dig coal out from deep underground? That’s because coal was a treasure known as “Black Diamond” for Japan at that time! 💎
(Photo taken at Manda Pit. Comparative display of Coal, Waste rock, and Coke)
Coal is a type of “fossil fuel” formed from ancient plants that changed underground over time. By burning it, they could run steam locomotives 🚂, move ships 🚢, and power factories 🏭… It was the ultimate energy source driving Japan’s modernization! The high-quality coal from Miike Coal Mine supported Japan’s rapid growth.
The Hero who saved Miike Coal Mine!
Takuma Dan’s bold decision
(Photo taken at Omuta Coal Industry and Science Museum)
There is a hero in the story of Miyahara Pit. His name is Takuma Dan! He was a super elite who studied mining in the USA and was the top executive of Miike Coal Mine.
When he took office, the Miike Coal Mine was flooded with massive amounts of underground water and was on the verge of closing. It was a desperate situation! 😱
To save this situation, Takuma Dan pushed through opposition and made an incredible decision. That was to introduce the “Davey Pump,” a huge British-made pump that cost as much as the company’s annual profit!
The stage for Takuma Dan’s big decision to introduce the “Davey Pump” was right here at Miyahara Pit! This pump became the savior as the “heart of drainage,” pumping water out of the entire mine.
Tracing the scars of the struggle
The pump room, which used to be brick, is now a lawn, which is a bit sad… But these ruins that look like brick walls next to the tower are actually part of that Davey Pump room! And if you look closely under the tower, you can see the remains of giant pipes peeking out. This is undeniable proof that they used to pump up massive amounts of water!
(Pipes for the pump still remain)
According to the guide, water has accumulated inside the concrete-sealed shaft, making it “a giant well that you can no longer go down into.” It’s thrilling just to imagine it…!
I peeked inside from where the pump used to be with a 360 camera!!
By the way, underneath the tower of its brother mine, Manda Pit, looks like this. It’s interesting to compare the structural differences!
Can you tell the difference under the Manda Pit tower?? (Location: Manda Pit)
The camera used this time is the DJI Osmo360.
Onicky’s Architecture Class! Can you tell the difference in brick laying?
It’s a waste if you just look at Miyahara Pit’s buildings and think “The bricks are pretty”! If you know how they are laid, you can even see the “character” of the building.
【Strongest Strength】 English Bond (This one!)
This is a method where layers of the long side (stretcher) and layers of the short side (header) are stacked alternately by row. It looks very sturdy!
【Stylish Brick Laying】 French (Flemish) Bond
This one arranges the long side and short side alternately within the same row. It feels rhythmic and stylish!
Clear comparison table!
Why are important Japanese buildings English Bond?
In the Meiji era, British teachers who came to teach architectural techniques to Japan thought, “Japan has many earthquakes, so they absolutely need sturdy buildings!” and spread the “English Bond,” which was most trusted in their home country. So, the fact that Miyahara Pit uses this method shows the strong determination of that time: “This is a super important facility supporting the country’s future, so it absolutely must not break!”
Light and Shadow: Prisoner Labor and the Vanished First Shaft
【Another history told by Miyahara Pit】
We must not forget that behind the “light” of Japan’s rapid development, there was the “shadow” of harsh labor. The dangerous early work at Miyahara Pit was supported by the labor of prisoners from Miike Prison. The park where colorful playground equipment stands now was once the location of the branch office for those prisoners.
By the way, the site where the main Miike Prison used to be is now the grounds of Miike Technical High School. You can view it from the outside anytime, but if you want to enter the grounds, you need to register at the high school office, so be careful!
First Shaft (Big Brother)
- Completed1898 (Meiji 31)
- Main RoleEntrance/Exit for people and materials
- Tower MaterialOriginally Wooden!
- NowCompletely backfilled, no trace left…
Second Shaft (Little Brother)
- Completed1901 (Meiji 34)
- Main RoleCoal extraction and drainage
- Tower MaterialSteel from the start!
- NowRemains as a World Heritage Site!
Look! In just 3 years, the tower material evolved from “wood” to “steel”! 😲
This means Japan acquired the technology and power to build larger and stronger facilities in such a short period. It’s truly a brother tower that symbolizes the explosive growth of the Meiji era!
Must-Go!
World Heritage Related Event Info
【Nov 2025】Night Lantern Festival
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of World Heritage registration, a magical night event will be held! The Miyahara Pit tower and buildings will be lit up, and the former railway tracks will be illuminated like a “Line of Light.” You definitely can’t miss this!
Event Overview
- Dates: Nov 21 (Fri) – 23 (Sun), 2025
- Time: 17:00 – 20:00
*Starts from 16:00 on the 22nd (Sat) - Location: Miyahara Pit & Miike Coal Mine Railway Track Ruins
- Fee: Free Admission
- Contents:
- Miyahara Pit light-up, “Magical Bamboo Lights” monument installation
- “Railway of Light” creating a path of lanterns along the tracks
- Special Event: On Nov 22 (Sat), there will be food trucks and music events!
*Check the poster image for detailed info!
【Held on Nov 3rd!】Let’s party at the World Heritage Festa!
Every year on November 3rd, a special festival is held simultaneously at Mikawa Pit, Miyahara Pit, and Manda Pit! Let’s enjoy them all in one day!
Mikawa Pit Autumn Festa
Packed with music stages, experience events, bingo games, and more! There’s also an illumination lighting ceremony at night, so you can enjoy it all day long!
- Date: Nov 3, 2025 (Mon/Holiday)
- Time: 10:00 – 18:00
- Main Events: Magic show, Showa pop music performance, Tanko Bushi (Coal Mine Dance), Japanese Drums, Fun Bingo Game, Illumination lighting, etc.
Miyahara Pit Festa
At Miyahara Pit, you can enjoy heroic drum performances by local children, music stages, and experience nostalgic Showa-era games like bamboo stilts and spinning tops. There’s also plenty of delicious food like fried chicken and roasted sweet potato sweets! 😋
Manda Pit Festa
The “Manda Pit Festa” is also held simultaneously at Manda Pit in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture! It’s super lively with lots of markets and stage events. Let’s hop between the World Heritage sites in Fukuoka and Kumamoto with the shuttle bus!
【Miraculous View】Miike Port “Path of Light”
There is a miraculous view that can only be seen twice a year at the World Heritage Miike Port! 🌅
The “Path of Light” where the setting sun pierces straight through the center of the lock gate from the end of the long channel. The collaboration with the surrounding factory group makes it an irresistible photo spot for photography lovers!
Special Opening of No.1 Wharf
- Location: Miike Port Observatory and No.1 Wharf
-
Opening Period:
【Nov】 Nov 16 (Sun) – 22 (Sat), 2025
【Jan】 Jan 18 (Sun) – 24 (Sat), 2026 -
Opening Hours:
【Nov】 16:15 – 17:30 (Sunset approx. 17:15)
【Jan】 16:45 – 18:00 (Sunset approx. 17:45) - Parking: Use the Miike Port Observatory Parking Lot (Available until 30 mins after wharf closing time)
-
Notes:
*Please strictly avoid street parking!
*Cancelled in case of rain. Check the official page for the latest info!
【Nov 3 Only】Tour World Heritage sites with a Free Shuttle Bus!
Guess what? On the day of the Festa, a free shuttle bus will run, circling the World Heritage sites in Omuta and Arao! 🚌 Starting from Omuta Station, it visits Miyahara Pit, Manda Pit, Mikawa Pit ruins, and the Coal Industry Science Museum, so you can enjoy the whole day without a car. You gotta use this!
【Long-term Event】World Heritage 10th Anniversary! Tenugui Stamp Rally
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of World Heritage registration, a stamp rally using original “Tenugui” (Japanese hand towels) (1,000 yen each) is being held from Oct 4, 2025 (Sat) to Mar 31, 2026 (Tue)! 🗺️ Visit 8 spots including Miyahara Pit and complete your own commemorative towel!
My Stamp Rally Tenugui (Completed)
- Miyahara Pit (Right here! You can buy the towel here too!)
- Coal Industry Science Museum (Approx 15 mins by car)
- Miike Port Observatory (Approx 10 mins by car)
- Old Nagasaki Customs Miike Branch (Approx 10 mins by car)
- Mikawa Pit Ruins (Approx 10 mins by car)
- Mitsui Harbor Club (Approx 10 mins by car)
- Manda Pit (Kumamoto Pref.) (Approx 10 mins by car)
- Hayame Tenmangu Shrine (Goshuin seal) (Approx 5 mins by car)
Not just history!
Fun spots at Miyahara Pit
Fun 1: Coal Train Toilet and Photo Spot
This unique building in the parking lot… believe it or not, it’s a toilet! 🚽 It’s designed with the motif of the coal trains that used to run here. Super cute, right?
Right next to it, there’s a photo spot where you can take a commemorative photo with the date. Make sure to snap a pic for your memories! It’s perfect for SNS too!
Fun 2: Souvenir Shop at the Entrance
After your tour, stop by the shop located on the grounds. They sell original goods related to Miyahara Pit and Miike Coal Mine, snacks, and local specialties. You might find the perfect souvenir for your trip!
Miyahara Pit FAQ
(Q&A)
To the stage of history!
Basic Info & Access
Did I convey how amazing Miyahara Pit is? I want you to stand in this place and feel the heat of the men who supported Japan’s modernization! Check the basic information before you go!
| Address | 1-86-3 Miyahara-machi, Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:30 – 17:00 (Admission until 16:30) |
| Closed | Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec 29 – Jan 3) |
| Admission | Free |
| Access | 🚗 Approx 30 mins from Kyushu Expressway “Nankan IC” (Free parking available) 🚌 Take Nishitetsu Bus from JR/Nishitetsu “Omuta Station” and get off at “Miyahara-ko” |
| Onicky’s Tips |
・Asking a free volunteer guide is absolutely recommended! Often okay without a reservation. The history becomes 100 times more interesting! ・The standard course is to visit “Manda Pit” (10 mins by car) as a set! |
