🚇Highlight 1: 400m Underground! “Dynamic Tunnel”

📜Highlight 2: World of Coal through Dioramas & Exhibits

The main hall is filled with exhibits that allow you to intuitively understand the overall picture and history of the Miike Coal Mine.

• Giant Diorama & Cross-sections: By comparing visualization models of tunnels and cross-section models from about 70 and 110 years ago, you can see the changes in mining technology at a glance.
• Global Coal: Right at the entrance of the paid area, giant chunks of coal gathered from around the world (like China and Aomori) are displayed, overwhelming visitors with their size.
• Life and Coal: You can learn how coal enriched our lives through models of steam locomotives, heaters, and fireplaces.

Living conditions when coal was widely used

💡Highlight 3: Energy Experience Corner

Located at the very back, the Energy Experience Corner is a playground where adults get just as absorbed as children. You can challenge yourself with various games using the power of light, air, and electricity.

• Learn energy mechanisms physically, like spinning panels with light power or running on a machine to light up a bulb.
• There are games to shoot balls into goals with compressed air and move balls with electric coils. It was impressive to see fathers getting particularly engrossed in these.
• My husband also got hooked on the electric coil game, repeatedly trying to set a “new record!” (laughs).

👤Highlight 4: Statue of “Takuma Dan”, Savior of Miike Coal Mine

Statue of Takuma Dan welcoming visitors

At the entrance stands a bronze statue of Takuma Dan, an essential figure in the history of Miike Coal Mine. Knowing his achievements deepens your understanding of the exhibits.

• He was a genius engineer who saved the flooding Miike Coal Mine by introducing giant drainage pumps (Davy pumps).
• Later, he rose to the top of the Mitsui Zaibatsu and contributed greatly to Japan’s industrial development.
• Learning about his work helps you understand why Miike became one of Japan’s largest coal mines.

🎁Highlight 5: Don’t Miss the Free Area!

The free area before the reception is also substantial.

• Character Corner: A corner for Omuta City’s official character “Jabow,” perfect for commemorative photos.
• Learning & Exhibition Space: Exhibits useful for summer research projects and a corner where you can learn trivia about the coal mine with an aerial photo of Omuta City at your feet.
• Shop: Souvenirs unique to this place, such as coal-shaped sweets and coal-dyed goods, are available.

🦖Highlight 6: Outdoor Dinosaur Object

Outside the building, there is a dinosaur object reminiscent of the era when ancient plants, the source of coal, flourished. It’s a popular photo spot, so be sure to stop by.

🚂[Participants Wanted] Miike Coal Railway Track Walk

A full-day walking event along the Miike Coal Mine railway tracks (approx. 17km), including World Heritage components. Why not touch upon history while enjoying the early spring scenery of the coal city?

🎹[Performers Wanted] Coal Museum Family Concert Special

As a special edition of the monthly concert, we are holding a “Piano Relay”! If you love piano or music, why not showcase your practice results in the circular hall?

🌅[Miraculous View] Miike Port “Path of Light”

A miraculous view that can only be seen twice a year at the World Heritage Miike Port.
The sunset piercing straight through the center of the lock gate from the tip of the long channel creates a “Path of Light,” making it a popular photo spot combined with the surrounding factories.