Apartments of Matsuo Mine

Matsuo Mine started mining Sulfur at the end of the 19th century , but later closed in 1969. Electricity and gas were shut off in the surrounoing town so buildings became nothing but concrete boxes. This mine and apartment complex hidden in Hachimanndaira has always been at the back of my mind since I first learned knew about it as a university student. It was in the winter of 2007 when I first visited Matuo mine.

At that time, there was a terrible snowstorm! It was difficult to stay out in the streets for longer than 10 minutes…That time, I gave up exploring….But this time, the weather was so clear ! This place is very famous. Everybody knows about this mine, so I will save myself writing it’s history down. Today i want to show you some photos of the abandoned apartment during autumn !

松尾鉱山は19th世紀末から硫黄を採掘し始めたが、後に1969年に閉鎖した鉱山です。この残された鉱山の町は電気とガスを遮断し、ただのコンクリートの箱になりました。
私が最初にこの松尾鉱山を訪問したときは2007年の冬前で猛吹雪に襲われ断念した苦い思い出がありますが今回は天気にも恵まれ、ゆっくり探索することが出来ました。