Wadō Archaeological Site
Wadō Archaeological Site refers to the preserved remains of Japan’s earliest known copper mine, located in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. The site is famous for the 708 CE discovery of native copper, which prompted the issuance of Japan’s first official coin, the Wadōkaichin, and the start of the Wadō era.
History
In 708, copper ore was discovered in the region then known as Musashi Province. The finding was reported to Empress Genmei, who celebrated the discovery by naming the era “Wadō” and commissioning the minting of Japan's first state-sanctioned coin, the Wadōkaichin.The copper mined at Wado became a symbol of national prosperity and marked the beginning of a centralized monetary economy in Japan. Mining activity continued intermittently through the Nara and Edo periods and ceased entirely by the late 20th century.
Archaeological Features
The Wado Archaeological Site includes remains of copper mining operations such as shafts, slag deposits, stone markers, and smelting traces. Interpretive signs and monuments have been installed, and nearby shrines and museums commemorate the site’s historical and cultural value.A large replica of the Wadōkaichin coin stands near the site, and the adjacent Wadō Park offers educational exhibits and nature trails.