Tonaru district in Besshi: heritage of industrial modernization

I always wanted to go there and finally made it to the TONARU district of the former Besshi copper mine operated by Sumitomo, one of Japan's major businesses. Almost forgotten in the mountains, but now recognized its historical value again, the former mountain community with 5000 people living at its peak is attracting people's attention. The legacy remains there. A bus tour is available starting at Minetopia Besshi. In a small bus, the tour takes you to Tonaru in 20 minutes. A local guide accompanies you during the tour and gives you interesting insight and more thought than you would not have otherwise. Highly recommended but only in Japanese. I wish I could just hire this small bus and the friendly and knowledgeable local guide and translate the guide's talk to the visitors from abroad. It was a fantastic tour. 

mountain train!

Ores once gather

Transport system!

with the Inland Sea in a distance

And flowers ...