Yubari Coal Mine Museum - Hokkaido

Yubari Coal Mine Museum (夕張市石炭博物館) is a local history museum dedicated to the coal mines and the miners of Yubari. It is located at 7-1 Takamatsu, Yubari City, in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Yubari Coal Mine Museum

Yubari Coal Mine Museum Details

Opened in July 1980, the Yubari Coal Mine Museum serves as the central attraction of the Coal History Village in Yubari, Hokkaido. Originally founded as the Yubari City Local History Museum in 1970 and later renamed the Yubari City Coal Mine Museum, the facility has evolved into one of the world’s leading museums dedicated to the coal industry. 

Yubari Coal Mine Museum - Yubari City, Hokkaido Prefecture

With a rich history that spans the industrial transformation of Hokkaido, this museum offers a deep dive into the coal mining industry, showcasing its technology, labor, and the lives of the people who worked in the mines.

This sign, located near Yubari Shrine points to where the museum is

Entrance to the Former Coal Historical Village

This manmade falls once was one of the attractions of the theme park in the area

The History and Importance of Coal Mining in Hokkaido

After the Meiji period, the coal mining industry became the backbone of Hokkaido’s economy. The Yubari Coal Mine Museum focuses on two major themes: coal and coal mines. The museum highlights the technological advancements and labor involved in coal production, development, and utilization, using a variety of exhibits, including actual materials, mine tunnels, and coal seams.

Yubari Coal Mine Museum Facade

Yubari Coal Mine Museum entrance is that way

The museum stands out due to its immersive experiences, including a working coal mining site exhibit located in the former Hokutan Yubari Coal Mine Tenryu Pit. This exhibit allows visitors to explore a real working coal mining environment, offering a unique and interactive way to understand the coal mining process.

A Hub of Coal Mining History

In 2013, the museum transitioned from being a tourist facility to a “local cultural facility,” expanding its role in preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of the region. Its exhibits offer detailed insights into the daily life of coal miners, the technologies used in mining, and the evolution of the industry that shaped Hokkaido's development.

The Yubari Coal Mine Museum is a multi-layered facility that encompasses several key sections:

• 1st Floor: Free Admission Area

• The Lobby features key information and the BAN HALL, previously the geological exhibition room.
• Displays include a Sullivan-type air compressor and the "Coal Mine" relief sculpture created by Minami Tada, which was installed on the former Japan Coal Mine Workers' Union building.

• 2nd Floor: Exhibition Room

• Introductory Exhibit: “Table of Contents of Yubari” provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s coal mining history.
• The Main Exhibition Room offers a deeper exploration of the coal industry, its technologies, and the people who made it thrive.

Inside 2nd Floor Exhibition Room*

*I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits, and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what Yubari Coal Mine Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.

• Basement: Mine Exhibition Room

• The Coal Mine Machinery Museum displays coal mining machinery, while the Mock Mine Tunnel "Historic Yubari Mine" (designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property) allows visitors to walk through a tunnel constructed in 1939. This tunnel was initially built for viewing by the Imperial family and provides a real look at an actual coal seam.

Inside the Basement: Mine Exhibition Room*

The elevator going to the basement exhibit area

*I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits, and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what Yubari Coal Mine Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.

• Outdoors: The Yubari Coal Outcrop

• A natural monument designated by Hokkaido Prefecture, the Yubari Coal Outcrop is one of Japan’s 100 Best Geological Sites and is located right outside the museum.

There are times when there are expert volunteers who would explain the history and process of mining in the Yubari Coal Mines. We were lucky to be able to attend one. 

Yubari Coal Mine Museum lecture

We learned a lot from the curator of the museum

Team Nicerio visits the Yubari Coal Mine Museum

On May 13, 2023, my family and I visited the Yubari Coal Mine Museum for the first time during our “Wedding Anniversary” road trip. It also marked my 558th day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme. This museum was the highlight of our visit to Yubari City. My daughter and I were lucky to have been able to hear one of the volunteers share his knowledge about the mines. I highly recommend this museum if you want to learn the history of the city and also of coal mining in Hokkaido.

 

Yubari Coal Mine Museum Admission Fee

Tickets to the Exhibit Rooms of Yubari Coal Mine Museum

To enter the Yubari Coal Mine Museum, visitors need to pay an admission fee

• Adults (Middle School & Above):
• General Admission: 720 yen
• Group Rate (20 or more people): 660 yen
• Children (Elementary School Students):
• General Admission: 440 yen
• No group rates are available for elementary school students.
• Yubari Residents:
• Adults: Free (0 yen) – For Yubari residents only. You must present proof of residency, such as a driver's license or health insurance card.
• Children: Free (0 yen) – For Yubari residents.
• Discounts for Yubari Residents:
• Up to 10 accompanying people of Yubari residents receive a discount: 440 yen for adults, free (0 yen) for children.
• People with Disabilities:
• Admission: 660 yen – Available to those who present a disability certificate or rehabilitation certificate (only for the person with the certificate).
• Preschool Children:
• FREE

 

Yubari Coal Mine Museum Operating Hours

The Yubari Coal Mine Museum is open from the 3rd Saturday in April to the first Monday in November.

The Yubari Coal Mine Museum operates with the following hours:

• April to September: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• October: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Closed Days: Every Tuesday (except during summer vacation and Obon holidays, when it is open on August 13th, even if it falls on a Tuesday).

 

Why visit the Yubari Coal Mine Museum?

The Yubari Coal Mine Museum provides an immersive and informative experience for visitors of all ages. It’s an essential stop for anyone interested in Japan’s industrial history and the significant role coal mining played in shaping the region. From the working mine exhibit to the rich collection of historical documents and artifacts, the museum offers a fascinating journey through time.

 

Getting to the Yubari Coal Mine Museum

From Shin-Yubari Station, walk to the Shin-Yubari Eki mae bus stop and board the Yubari Shinai Sen (Yubarishi Sekitan Hakubutsukan) bus operated by Yutetsu Bus Company. Board down at Yubarishi Sekitan Hakubutsukan bus stop. Once there, walk for about 220 m to the Yubari Coal Mine Museum.

Travel Time: 50 minutes

Fare: 830 yen

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