Toi Gold Mine

A West Izu gold mine that rivalled Sado in the Edo period. Walk real mine tunnels to see how gold was dug, then pan for tiny flakes of gold yourself.

The Izu gold mine that backed the shogunate

Toi Gold Mine was a gold mine at Toi in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, on the west coast of the Izu Peninsula. Full-scale mining began in 1577, and in the early Edo period it flourished as new techniques were brought in under Okubo Nagayasu, who ran the shogunate's gold mines. Izu City describes it as one of Japan's leading gold mines in the Edo period, alongside the Sado Gold Mine in Niigata Prefecture.

By the time it closed in 1965, it is said to have produced about 40 tonnes of gold and about 400 tonnes of silver, and its kodo (underground tunnels) add up to about 100km in total. In 1972, after the mine closed, it opened to the public as a visitor attraction.

Tunnel tour and gold panning

You can explore about 350m of the tunnels that were actually dug. Figures recreate Edo-period mining scenes, and inside the tunnel there is also a Yamagami shrine dedicated to the guardian deity of the mine.

The other highlight is gold panning. Using a special pan, you search the sand and water for real gold dust, and you can take whatever you find home in a little bottle. It's fun for children and adults alike.

The site is also one of the points of interest of the Izu Peninsula Geopark. In 2026 a garden called Kaiun Ogon no Niwa (the "lucky golden garden"), made with golden bamboo and gold ore, was added.

The world's biggest gold bar is now a replica

For many years Toi Gold Mine displayed a 250kg gold bar certified by Guinness World Records. But as the price of gold rose, the cost of looking after it grew too high, and the real bar went off display at the end of July 2025. A life-size replica now stands in its place. Bear this in mind if you are going expecting to see the real thing.

Getting there

From Shuzenji Station on the Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line, take a bus bound for Matsuzaki or Dogashima for about 50 minutes and get off at the Toi Kinzan stop. If you come by car, there is a free car park.

The site is step-free and barrier-free, so you can get round with a wheelchair or pushchair. Check opening hours and fees on the official website.

Tips

• The display of the real 250kg gold bar ended in July 2025; what you see now is a replica.
• The tunnels are cool inside and sound echoes loudly. Dogs are welcome, but the site advises that dogs that bark a lot should skip the tunnels.
• Entry to the tunnel tour closes earlier than the site itself. If you go in the late afternoon, leave plenty of time.

Sources

• 金のテーマパーク 土肥金山 - 伊豆市観光情報 (opens in a new tab)
• 土肥金山 Toi Gold Mine（伊豆市）｜静岡県 (opens in a new tab)
• 土肥金山で楽しむ歴史と体験｜伊豆レターズ (opens in a new tab)
• 土肥金山 - Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
• なぜ展示終了？世界最大級の金塊 重さ250キロ｜静岡ライフ (opens in a new tab)

Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.