In the mountains surrounding the town of Iwai Hot Springs, there used to be many mines (in Arakane and Ginzan). The gold and silver collected from these mines was brought to Iwai Station by trolley train. Many people working in these mines frequently visited Iwai Hot Springs.
Point
1
Iwai Hot Springs of Inaba Onsenkyo
Iwai Hot Springs is a 1200-year-old hot springs. It is believed that hot spring water rises up from faults and fractures in the Iwai Pyroclastic Strata. Out of the nine hot springs, one artesian spring and three pumped-up springs are centrally managed. Iwai Hot Springs is known for its bathing songs.
Iwai Hot Springs Hotel Association (c/o Akashiya)
0857-72-1515
2
Rice Terraces of Yokoo
There are terraced rice paddies on the land formed by a landslide. Consumers can invest in these terraced rice paddies as their “owners.” Rice Terraces of Yokoo are selected as one of Japan's 100 Greatest Rice Terraces.
Iwami Town Office, Industry and Construction Department
0857-73-1562
3
Ruins of Inaba Silver Mine
According to The Book of Inaba written in the Edo Period, a silver mine was discovered in 809. Inaba Mines used to produce a great amount of silver that could compete with that of the mines of Ikuno and Iwami. There still remain holes which are believed to have been mine holes.
Iwami Town Tourism Association
0857-72-3481
4
Karakawa Wetland (colonies of rabbitear iris)
This large wetland (about 1 hectare) is located about 400 meters above sea level. The wetland is famous for colonies of rabbitear iris. This wetland is an interesting place from a botanical viewpoint, with insectivorous plants such as sundew and a wide variety of other wetland plants.
Iwami Town Board of Education
0857-73-1302
Guide Recommend
Iwai Hot Springs has a history of 1,200 years. There are many places of interest: Togenji Temple, which is related to the discovery of the hot springs, the building of former Iwai Elementary School, which was the oldest quasi-Western wooden school building in Tottori Prefecture, and the rock called “Oni-no-wan" ("ogre’s bowl"), which was the foundation stone used to support the main column of a spectacular three-storied pagoda built 1,300 years ago. All of these invite you to learn about the lifestyle and culture of the people in Yumura (Iwai), which has developed since olden times. In this geosite, you can also find many ruins of mines. Along the way among the mountains, there are remains of the mine holes of Ginzan Mine (a great amount of silver from this mine was delivered to Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and Arakane Mine (which produced copper from as far back as the ninth century).
Group：Iwami Guide Club
Name：Bunkei Katamura
Info.
Iwami Town Tourism Association
783-8 Uradome, Iwami Town
783-8 Uradome, Iwami Town
TEL
0857-72-3481（Closed on Mondays（Next day if it is a holiday））
