2024.04.08
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Visiting a Town with Mitsubishi Materials 〜Toi Marine Tourist Corporation edition〜
Ms. Stride, a woman traveling around the world, visits a town where a Mitsubishi Materials Group hub is located.
Navigator
Ms. Stride
A woman in her late twenties who enjoys factory tours and strolls around town.
Toi Marine Tourist Corporation edition
In this edition, we will introduce Toi Marine Tourist Corporation, who operates the Toi Gold Mine Theme Park.
Toi Gold Mine is located in the western area of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture. In the past, Tokugawa Ieyasu focused on the mine’s development, and it boasted a high production of gold as one of Japan’s major gold mines. Since its closure, the mine site has been used as a tunnel tour and has been visited by many tourists.
Toi Marine Tourist Corporation
Established in 1917 for gold mining operations in Toi. Closed in 1965 due to ore depletion and re-opened in 1972 as a tourism business. The business is currently operating a tunnel tour and a gold museum at which ore that was excavated from the mine and valuable documents are on display. The world’s largest gold bullion, holding a Guinness World Record, is on display at the gold museum. The bullion has been garnering lots of attention from the media due to the recent soaring prices of gold.
Tunnel tour Looking back at underground operations of the Edo period
Inside the tunnel are dolls that move, recreating the scenery of the mine in the Edo period. Visitors can watch the excavation work of the time period. In addition, the San Shrine and the Gold Springs inside the tunnel are popular spots believed to bring good financial luck.
250 kg! The world’s biggest gold bullion
The gold museum’s most featured exhibit is the world’s largest gold bullion, refined at Naoshima Smelter & Refinery in 2005. Visitors are allowed to touch it, so please experience its power, weight, and touch.
A large collection of unique souvenirs based on gold
The most popular item is the junkin mori-mori soft serve, soft serve ice cream lavishly wrapped with an edible gold leaf. The maizokin no kintsuba is a humorous souvenir with small gold coins (chocolate) hidden at the bottom. It makes you feel like a villain.
Get rich quick with hot spring gold panning!
At Toi Gold Mine, you can attempt gold panning, or sifting for pieces of pure gold in sand. Searching for the small pieces of gold is difficult work. It is a fun attraction in which even adults become consumed!
Toi-zakura light-up
Izu is famous for Kawazu-zakura, but the Toi-zakura bloom in early into the new year. The light-up held annually from January in the courtyard at Toi Gold Mine is a spectacular sight!
Nishi-Izu is full of beautiful sights
Koganezaki Crystal Park
Glass art from around the world is exhibited and a handmade glasswork experience is held at Koganezaki Crystal Park. It also holds collaboration events with Toi Gold Mine. Together, they are bringing life to Nishi-Izu!
Koibito Misaki Cape
Koibito Misaki Cape is a well-known relationship power spot in Izu. Once visitors arrive at the end of the long road, they can see a scenic view of both Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay.
Guide
Section Manager of Toi Gold Mine
Ayumi Kokubu
Joined the company in 1997. Is in charge of the planning and development of Toi Gold Mine’s souvenirs. Her recommended dish is tokoroten, a gelatin made from marine algae and a local specialty of Nishi-Izu. Her favorite local sight is watching the sunset at Tabibito Misaki Cape.
