World Heritage Site "Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins" in Shimane, Western Prefecture of Japan's Mainland

The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine was officially registered as a World Heritage Site in 2007. It's located in a densely forested and mountainous region of Shimane. Despite the industrial activities here, locals have taken great care to preserve this natural environment since silver was first discovered in 1527. The Unesco World Heritage Committee particularly appreciated the fact that the mine was developed with less impact on the environment due to the appropriate management of forests. Silver mines generally required a large amount of wood for firewood and charcoal to refine the metal ore. Not only are the forests of Iwami carefully managed, but so too is the centuries-old appearance of the nearby town. There are no public trash bins in this town, even though it is a tourist spot. Still, there is no trash on the streets, as visitors take home their garbage. Vending machines and electricity meters do not disturb the eye, as they are surrounded by wooden frames, and electric wires and water pipes are also buried out of view. Simply by walking around the town, you can see how the local residents live together as one and care for each other.

The Omori Ginzan area was the central town of the World Heritage Site and it stretches 2.8 km along the valley of the Ginzan River, where the town's official quarters, inns, samurai residences, and merchant houses which still exist, and temples, shrines, cemeteries, and quarries remain at the foot of the mountains behind the town. Long before Omori became a World Heritage site, it was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and therefore, is still preserved as it was 200 years ago. You won't see any 20th-century buildings or power lines here. Many of the temples, shops, and homes lining the streets of Omori have been converted into cafes, gift shops, and galleries.