Human Arts Exhibitions in Mikasa City Museum

Coal mining industry and human culture

Coal was the major energy source in Japan from the latter half of the 19 century to the middle of the 20th century. From the discovery of coals about 150 years ago, some coalmines were opened and the first railroad in Hokkaido were built to carry coals from Mikasa. Since then, Mikasa flourished as a coalmine town until the last Mikasa coalmine was closed in 1989. The current population of Mikasa is about 10,000, but in “the golden period” in the 1950’s more than 60,000 citizens lived here. The tools used in the coalmines and replicas of the houses provided for coal miners, documents related to the “Tomoko system”, which played an important role nationwide to support mutual aid and employment among miners are displayed in this room.

 
Coal exhibition room of local history “Coalmines and Human culture”

 

Materials of the Sorachi Shujikan (prison)

“Sorachi Shujikan” was established in 1882 as a prison for convicted offenders. Prisoners played an important role as laborers for the coalmines and exploitation. The prison was closed in 1901, and archival materials and a miniature of the “Sorachi Shujikan” buildings are displayed.
 

Open-Air Exhibition Promenade

The Open-Air Museum is located on the south of the main building of the Mikasa City Museum. Here, visitors can have a close-up view of Mikasa heritage with the shaft of a coalmine, marine strata that inclined vertically of more than 100 million years ago, and coal beds of about 50 million years ago. Note that this part of the museum is closed during winter.