Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine is Alive Somewhere in the World From the sixteenth to the seventeenth centuries, silver produced from Japan amounted to one third of the world's silver production.
It is said that most of Japan's silver was produced from the Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine located in Shimane Prefecture. In those days, the Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine was one of the world's two major silver mines along with Bolivia's Potosi silver mine. With the closure of the Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine in 1923, the mines were buried deep in the mountains. Today, Shimane Prefecture is beginning the excavation of this world class silver mine, trying to reveal the secrets of Iwami silver which supported the prosperity of the times and the world's economy. We are now looking for the silver once produced from Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine in the hope that it is still quietly alive somewhere in the world today. We believe that Iwami silver is still shining somewhere as part of household items or as currencies. Please contact us if you have any information on Iwami silver.
Latest excavation information
World-Renown Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine
Japan's Cultural Heritage:
Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine
Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine in World History
Christian Missionaries and
the Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine
Excavation Results from
Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins
Where to send your information
Shimane Prefecture Education Committee Cultural Properties Department
E-mail：bunkazai@pref.shimane.jp