Walk Around Kuchiganaya in Ikuno Town｜Hiking / Cycling｜Things to Do

The mining town of Ikuno retains a unique landscape in the area of Kuchiganaya. Take a walk through and see preserved structures including old private houses that were country inns to prospectors and buildings from the Meiji era (1868-1912), “Karami-stone” (slag from melted copper), also Ikuno roof tiles of textiles unique to Ikuno.

Ikunogikyohi Memorial

Lorry Rail Line

Route map

Route directions and land marks

1) Ikunogikyohi Memorial: Start at the Ikuno Mine Hall Parking Lot on the west side of Ikunogikyohi Memorial (生野義挙碑). The monument was erected in order to convey to later generations of Ikuno’s heroic deed when in October 1863 loyalists to the Emperor with local farmers attacked the Ikuno magistrate office. It’s said that this act herald the Meiji Restoration.

2) Former Ikuno Police Station: From here go north on the Kitaguni-Dori in front of Ikuno Elementary School, Go through the old Ikuno magistrate office and visit the former Ikuno Police Station (now the Kuchiganaya Ichi-ku’s public hall). This building was built in 1886 by a local carpenter imitating the Western architecture style of a foreign doctor’s residence from France for the development of the mine. Under the front eave tile the old police emblem and the Katakana character “イ(i)” of Ikuno’s old town chapter is still there.

3) Teramachi (Temple Town): Go north from the former Ikuno Police Station on Goryosho-dori Street; it’ll come to Teramachi-dori Street. This district is called Teramachi (temple town) because this is where 8 temples of different sects are connected. The fact that inadequate working conditions led to the shortened lives of those who worked there, many sects were necessary to accommodate the large number of people who gathered here from all over the country, and thus Teramachi was formed.

4) Old Manor’s of Former Government Officials: From Teramachi-dori Street go south back down Goryosho-dori Street, then east on Kohinata-dori Street where you will see a number of old manor houses designated as registered cultural properties of the country. At the old manor’s of the former government officials you will see interesting sites like Ikuno tiles spread out with their one-of-a-kind texture, windows with a latticework called Osaka Degoshi, usually a long wooden gate in front of the homes entrance that could open wide to hook up horses which were the main means of transport at the time.

5) Ikuno Town Development Studio Izutsuya: As you take in the sites of the old manors head out to Honcho-dori Street (Gin no Bashamichi (Old Silver Mine Carriage Rode)) and go westerly you will pass through Sato Mansion a townhouse that was used as a country inn and store during the Edo era (1603-1868). Go to Ikuno Town development studio Izutsuya (former Kikkawa residence). Sato Mansion & the old Yoshikawa residence are “Goyado (inns)” and were semi-organized lodgings in the Edo era. The inns would house headman and officials of far away villages who worked under the Ikuno magistrate when they came to Ikuno for official business. In addition, you can purchase cookies and small items made by the local ladies and the building is used for regular events.

6) Lorry Rail Line: From Izutsuya take Miyamachi-dori Street, From Himemiya Bridge you can see down onto the lorry rail line, a train road built in 1920 for the transportation of ore along the Ichigawa River from the Kanagase mining pit(金ヶ瀬坑道) to the branch warehouse (former Ikuno Station). This road’s stonework with re-used stones from Ikuno Hirajiro’s (castle) stonewalls and design with partial arches has been classed as a civil engineering structure of modernized Japan.

7) Kajiyamachi-dori Street back to Ikuno Mine Hall: After viewing the road take Miyamachi-dori Street and go down Kajiyamachi-dori Street or other to get back to the parking lot of Ikuno Mine Hall.

Route: Ikuno Mine Hall Parking Lot > Ikunogikyohi Memorial > The Old Ikuno Magistrate Office > Former Ikuno Police Station > Teramachi (Temple Town) > > South on Goryosho-dori Street > Old Manor’s of Former Government Officials > Sato Mansion > Ikuno Town Development Studio Izutsuya > Kuchiganaya Mining Town Museum > Lorry Rail Line > Ikuno Mine Hall Parking Lot

Difficulty: ★☆☆

Route Category: In town

Type of Activity

★☆☆　Flat course（Elevation gain less than 100m）or less than 5km.
★★☆　Slightly undulating course（Elevation gain less than 500m）or less than 10ｋｍ.
★★★　Rugged course（Elevation gain more than 500m）or 11ｋｍ.

Distance	About 1-2km
Required Time	Walking time of about 40 minutes to 1 hour.
Starting Point	Start / End point: Ikuno Mine Hall parking lot
Getting Here	By Train: From JR Ikuno Station it is about a 10 minute walk. By Car: Take the Bantan Expressway Toll Road to Ikuno Interchange and get off here. Park at Ikuno Mine Hall parking lot.
Road Conditions	Asphalt
Resting Place	Public restroom: At various designated spots
Signpost Presence	In some areas
Guide Availability	Available Contact: Ikuno Town Development Studio Izutsuya Phone: 079-679-4448 Fee: Free, but we ask that you purchase a 100 yen map as a donation.
Notes	We need to check schedules with the guides, so we ask that you please make reservations in advance. Also, depending on the customer there are times we can make adjustments to the route.
Contact	Contact: Ikuno Town Development Studio Izutsuya Phone: 079-679-4448

Things to Do

Walk Around Kuchiganaya in Ikuno Town 生野町 口銀谷（くちがなや）まち歩き

Walk Around Kuchiganaya in Ikuno Town

生野町　口銀谷（くちがなや）まち歩き