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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Oita Prefecture · Kyushu

Michi-no-Eki Taio Gold Mine

道の駅 鯛生金山

Cool mine tunnels and gold panning turn a mountain rest stop into a small family adventure.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Hita City
Road
National Route 442
Hours
Roadside station and underground museum: March–November 9:00–17:00 / December–February 10:00–16:30
Check the operating-day calendar for closures. A New Year's Day closure is noted.
Parking
See facility information
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How to enjoy

Choose how to enjoy your visit

Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.

First activities to try
Underground museum and gold panning

Allow about 30–40 minutes for the mine tunnel tour. Add gold panning for a longer family stay.

Hot or rainy days
About 14°C in the tunnels year-round

The cool tunnels are a summer draw. Watch the darkness and your footing with small children.

Lunch
Restaurant Keyaki

The operator currently lists March–November hours of 10:30–15:30 and December–February hours of 11:00–15:00. Last order is 30 minutes before closing in each season.

What to take home
Yuzu, shiitake, wasabi and tea

The shop makes it easy to pair Nakatsue Village products with gold mine-themed sweets.

Directions
From Hita, consider the route via National Route 212

Prefectural Route 9 can be narrow; check the operator's access advice before driving.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Haruka's stopover notes

Deciding the order of activities makes Taio Gold Mine easier for families to explore.

Haruka Arima starts with the toilets and activity registration, then plans the tunnels, gold panning, a meal and the shop. Children have plenty to get absorbed in, but the dark tunnels or the difficulty of panning may change their mood. Keep Restaurant Keyaki, soft-serve, the children's playground and gem hunting as alternatives. That flexibility lets a family arriving after a mountain drive turn the stop into an easy half-day visit.

Cool off in the tunnels, look for gold, and end with a smile at the shop whether you find any or not—that is a good order for the day.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Taio Gold Mine is an activity-focused roadside station on National Route 442 in Nakatsue, Hita City. In one area, you can tour the underground museum's mine tunnels, pan for gold, eat at Restaurant Keyaki, shop for local products, use the children's playground or Family Travel Village, and visit the neighboring Forest Adventure park. The tunnels stay around 14°C year-round, making them a cool place to play on a summer drive. From Hita, navigation may direct you onto a narrow prefectural road; the operator recommends a route via National Route 212. For navigation, the Japanese address is 〒877-0302 大分県日田市中津江村合瀬3750.

  • #Underground museum
  • #Gold panning
  • #Miners' curry
  • #Nakatsue Village
  • #Wasabi
  • #Family Travel Village
  • #National Route 442
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

A tunnel tour and gold panning make the stop a destination

The main attractions are the underground museum, where you walk through about 800 m of mine tunnels, and Gold Hunting, where you look for real flakes of gold in water. The tunnels stay around 14°C all year, offering a cool retreat in midsummer and an activity for rainy days. Some children find gold quickly; others may not find any despite trying until the end. Leave room for gem hunting, the shop or soft-serve ice cream so everyone can enjoy the visit.

02

Food and shopping offer an easy taste of Nakatsue to take home

Restaurant Keyaki serves miners' curry, Golden Udon and a fried chicken set meal for lunch after the activities. The shop focuses on Nakatsue Village's yuzu citrus, shiitake mushrooms, wasabi, yuzu kosho citrus-chili paste, dressings and tea. For a quick sweet treat, try wasabi or yuzu-honey soft-serve ice cream. If you miss lunch, the shop and ice cream still make for a distinctive stop.

03

Stay, play and head into the forest in the same area

Family Travel Village has campsites and cabins; there is also a children's playground and the neighboring Forest Adventure Oku-Hita. You can adjust the length of your stay to the children's ages and the weather. Preschoolers may enjoy the playground and gem hunt, elementary school children the tunnels and gold panning, and older children the treetop obstacle course. Families can split their activities around the same parking area.

04

Choose your mountain route before setting out

From Hita, some navigation systems direct drivers onto Prefectural Route 9, but the operator recommends continuing along National Route 212. The drives from the Hita, Yame and Kokonoe interchanges all pass through mountain country. Check opening hours and closed days before departure so you can head straight for toilets, food or activity registration on arrival.

Route idea

Ways to plan your stop

Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.

Families with elementary school children, summer holidays and rainy-day drives

A 90-minute family stop for tunnels and gold panning

Use the toilet on arrival, then head first to registration for the underground museum and gold panning. Learn about the mine's history in the cool tunnels, then return outside to pan for gold. Whether or not you find any, finish with soft-serve ice cream or gold mine-themed sweets from the shop to give children a satisfying end to the visit.

Parking → toilets → underground museum → gold panning → shop and soft-serve ice cream.

Parts of the mine tunnels are cool and dark. If a child is easily frightened, be ready to stop near the entrance rather than push on.

A break on National Route 442, around lunchtime

A short stop for lunch, shopping and a taste of Nakatsue

When you cannot fit in an activity, choose miners' curry or noodles at Restaurant Keyaki, then browse yuzu, wasabi, shiitake and tea at the shop. If mealtime does not work out, a brief stop for wasabi or yuzu-honey soft-serve still gives you a taste of this mountain roadside station.

Parking → Restaurant Keyaki → local products shop → information corner → departure.

Restaurant hours change with the season. Arrive earlier if lunch is your priority.

Weekend family trips, summer holidays, days for stars and forest scenery

Make Oku-Hita a base for a camping or cabin stay

Reserve a place at Family Travel Village to combine a tunnel tour, gold panning and evening camping in the same area. Convenience stores and supermarkets are scarce nearby, so buy ingredients and seasonings in Hita's urban area before arriving. BBQ ingredient sets require advance reservation.

Shop for supplies in Hita → Taio Gold Mine → activities → check-in → BBQ or cooking your own meal.

Campsites and cabins have different check-in times, pet areas, rental items and quiet hours. Follow the operator's guidance for your stay.

Upper elementary grades, teenagers and adults who want to be active

Older children can extend the day to the forest obstacle course

The neighboring Forest Adventure Oku-Hita centers on treetop courses and zip slides. Younger children can enjoy the roadside station's playground and gem hunt while older children tackle the obstacle course. Rain and wind can affect the park, so check reservations and operating status before including it in your plans.

Roadside station registration and toilets → Forest Adventure → Restaurant Keyaki → shop.

Height and school-grade requirements apply. With mostly preschoolers, it is easier to focus on the activities at the roadside station.

Hours

Opening hours

Roadside station and underground museum
March–November 9:00–17:00 / December–February 10:00–16:30

Check the operating-day calendar for closures. A New Year's Day closure is noted.

Restaurant Keyaki
March–November 10:30–15:30 / December–February 11:00–15:00

Last order is 30 minutes before closing in both seasons. Hours vary by season.

Underground museum tour
Allow about 30–40 minutes

The tunnels stay around 14°C year-round. Watch your footing and be aware of the darkness.

Gold panning experience
Depends on operating days and registration availability

A price change was announced from January 23, 2026.

Family Travel Village campsite
Check-in 14:00 / check-out 11:00

Register at the Taio Gold Mine ticket counter. Contact the operator if arriving after 17:00.

Family Travel Village cabins
Check-in 15:30 / check-out 10:00

Check the operator's guidance for accommodation rates, pets and BBQ arrangements.

Family

Visiting with children

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.

Age 1 and under
★★★☆☆

A short stop for the diaper-changing table, multipurpose toilet and shop can work well.

The tunnels are cool and dark, so a brief look while carrying the child is a manageable approach. Plan gold panning mainly for older children.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Short visits to the children's playground, soft-serve shop and gem hunt can suit this age.

Some children react to the darkness or sounds in the tunnels. Avoid packing in too many activities and leave time to return to the car.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Gem hunting, watching gold panning and playground time often suit this age.

Gold panning can be difficult until children learn the technique. Encourage enjoyment of the search and making a keepsake rather than counting the flakes found.

Elementary school children
★★★★★

Tunnel tours, gold panning, mine history and summer holiday events are especially well suited to this group.

Gem hunting is also an option through first grade. Older pupils can add Forest Adventure and make it a half-day outing.

Event

Make an event part of your visit

Permanent spaces and dated events are listed separately. Events can change both the atmosphere and crowds; use the official links for details.

Checking event dates.

Spaces used for events

2026 Summer: Cool! COOL Taio Gold Mine!

From July 18 to August 16, 2026, the announced activities included a tunnel quiz, glowing bracelets for tunnel visitors through elementary school age, lucky coins during gold panning, and food stalls from August 13 to 16. The operator announced no regular closed days during the event period.

Seasonal flowers and dahlias

A July 17, 2026 operator notice said dahlias were in season and would flower through October. Spring cherry blossoms, early-summer hydrangeas and autumn leaves also change the scenery around the station.

Taio Gold Mine Festival

The Kyushu Regional Development Bureau's roadside station listing introduces the Taio Gold Mine Festival as an early-October event nearby. Check the operator's notices for the date each year.

Hachinosu Lake Cherry Blossom Festival

A cherry blossom festival is usually held around the first Sunday of April on the shore of Shimouke Dam in Nakatsue Village. For a spring side trip in the same Nakatsue area as Taio Gold Mine, check the date and parking guidance before going.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Adults and children concentrate on gold panning, but results vary

Family travel accounts and reviews include an elementary school child finding several flakes in 30 minutes and families finding none despite persisting. Enjoy the search and the chance to make a keepsake; finding gold is not guaranteed.

Source: Family travel accounts and review trends

Gem hunting and the playground give younger children another option

The operator offers a children's gem hunt for those through first grade of elementary school. For children not yet ready for the tunnels or gold panning, shorter spells looking for colorful stones, at the children's playground and enjoying a sweet from the shop can keep the visit manageable.

Source: Operator's activity information and family review trends

The tunnels are a summer draw, but consider darkness and footing

At around 14°C year-round, the tunnels offer a cool place in summer. Some children may be frightened by the darkness or enclosed space; see how they react at the entrance and switch to the shop or playground if needed.

Source: Operator's site, tourism association and review trends

Lunch fits after activities, but the shop works if you miss restaurant hours

Restaurant Keyaki has different summer and winter hours, with last orders 30 minutes before closing. Touring the tunnels and panning first can push you past lunch service. Eat first when lunch is the priority; on an activity-focused day, switch to the shop and soft-serve if needed.

Source: Operator's food and shopping page

Plan the mountain route and supplies with care

The operator warns that Prefectural Route 9 from Hita can be narrow and may take longer. Campers are also advised that there are no nearby convenience stores or supermarkets, making it practical to shop in Hita's urban area before arrival.

Source: Operator's access and Family Travel Village information

Summer holidays and the Obon period bring special events

In summer 2026, the announced activities included a tunnel quiz, glowing bracelets, lucky coins and food stalls. These added to the usual tunnels and gold panning as reasons for families to visit during school holidays. They were time-limited events, so check current notices for future visits.

Source: Operator's notices and 2026 summer event PDF

Forest Adventure works best when children can split activities by age

The neighboring adventure park describes a course for children from fourth grade or at least 140 cm tall. It may not suit a day centered on preschoolers. Older children can tackle the obstacle course while younger children enjoy the roadside station's activities.

Source: Forest Adventure operator and Hita City tourism association
Movie

Preview the place on video

Official videos show the market and nearby park before you visit. Audio and captions are in Japanese.

Before your visit

Things to check before setting out

Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.

  • The listed hours are 9:00–17:00 from March to November and 10:00–16:30 from December to February.
  • For closed days from April 2026 onward, check the operator's operating-day calendar.
  • Restaurant Keyaki's current listed hours are 10:30–15:30 from March to November and 11:00–15:00 from December to February; last order is 30 minutes before closing in both seasons.
  • A price change for gold panning was announced from January 23, 2026.
  • From Hita, the operator recommends continuing on National Route 212 rather than taking Prefectural Route 9.
  • The tunnels stay around 14°C all year, so an extra layer helps regulate temperature even in summer.
  • Before using Family Travel Village, shop for supplies because there are no nearby convenience stores or supermarkets.
  • The 2026 summer event ran from July 18 to August 16. For later visits, consult the operator's current notices.
Food

Eating and shopping

Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.

  • Meal
    Restaurant Keyaki's miners' curry
    A signature dish inspired by miners' meals. Arrive before last order if lunch is your main reason for visiting.
  • Meal
    Golden Udon and Nakatsue Udon
    Noodle dishes that are easy to share with family. Restaurant hours are shorter in winter.
  • Snack
    Wasabi and yuzu-honey soft-serve ice cream
    A quick taste of the station even when you do not eat at the restaurant.
  • Shopping
    Yuzu, shiitake and wasabi products
    Yuzu kosho citrus-chili paste, wasabi miso, dressings and tea are practical gifts to use at home.
  • Shopping
    Gold mine-themed sweets and alcohol
    Buried Treasure chocolates, Medetai monaka (bean-filled wafer sweets), gold-leaf chestnut yokan (sweet bean jelly), and barley shochu containing pure gold.
Food mood

What would you like to eat?

A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Before activities

Water, a small sweet snack and a toilet break

A tunnel tour followed by gold panning can take longer than expected. With small children, taking care of drinks and toilets first can make the visit calmer.

Lunch

Miners' curry, Golden Udon and fried chicken set meal

Visit Restaurant Keyaki after the underground museum. If lunch is the priority, arrive before last order and leave the shop until after eating.

A quick sweet treat

Wasabi soft-serve, yuzu-honey soft-serve and Cameroon soft-serve

Good for a brief break without a full restaurant meal, or a change of pace after gold panning. Offerings vary by season and availability, so check the signs on site.

Take-home goods

Yuzu, shiitake, wasabi products, tea and gold mine sweets

Take a taste of Nakatsue Village home. Condiments are convenient gifts from a drive.

Before an overnight stay

BBQ ingredients, seasonings, and arrangements for firewood and charcoal

Family Travel Village advises that there are few places nearby to buy more supplies. On camping days, buy anything missing in Hita's urban area before arriving.

When busy

Visit the shop and playground first

If activity registration and the restaurant are busy at the same time, start at the shop, children's playground or information corner to spread out the visit.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Taio Gold Mine

Cool mine tunnels and gold panning turn a mountain rest stop into a small family adventure.

Open in Google Maps
2
History and activities
Taio Gold Mine Underground Museum

Walk the tunnels and search for gold at the main attraction of Taio Gold Mine.

Open in Google Maps
3
Camping and lodging
Taio Gold Mine Family Travel Village

After the tunnels and gold panning, stay overnight in the forest at this family base.

Open in Google Maps
4
Forest activities
Forest Adventure Oku-Hita

Older elementary school children can add a treetop obstacle course next to the gold mine.

Open in Google Maps
5
Culture and manga museum
Attack on Titan in HITA Museum

For another site connected to the Hita-born series, head toward the museum in Oyama.

Open in Google Maps
Food outlets and the market on the station grounds share the station pin. Nearby places are separate destinations to combine with your visit.
Nearby

Places to visit nearby

History and activities
Taio Gold Mine Underground MuseumJapanese guide
At or next to the stationA very short walk

An activity to plan first if Taio Gold Mine is your destination, especially in summer, on rainy days or with elementary school children.

Camping and lodging
Taio Gold Mine Family Travel VillageJapanese guide
At or next to the stationA very short walk

For a family trip that extends the tunnel tour and gold panning from half a day to an overnight stay.

Forest activities
Forest Adventure Oku-HitaJapanese guide
AdjacentA very short walk

Easy to add to the Taio Gold Mine activities when older elementary school children or adults want to be physically active.

Nature and cherry blossoms
Hachinosu Park and Shimouke Dam LakesideJapanese guide
About 15–25 minutes by carAbout 15–25 minutes by car

For a day when you want to add spring cherry blossoms, dam-lake views or a Nakatsue seasonal event before or after Taio Gold Mine.

Culture and manga museum
Attack on Titan in HITA MuseumJapanese guide
About 35–45 minutes by carAbout 35–45 minutes by car

For a day focused on manga-related locations, or a rainy-day switch to an indoor exhibition.

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