Iwami Ginzan
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine played a pivotal role in East Asian trade, where
silver was the key currency. In Europe and China, the mine had been known
as the largest silver mine that could compare with the Cerro Rico in PotosÃ.
In foreign countries, because the silver mined at Iwami Ginzan was very
high quality, it came to be known as one of the Japanese brand of silver
called "Soma Silver".
Parts of the mining town remain in good condition and the Japanese Government
has designated it as a Special Preservation District for Groups of Historic
Buildings in 1969. Iwami Ginzan is most easily accessed from nearby Izumo
City: