The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

The Iwami Ginzan was a silver mine in Oda-shi, Shimane prefecture, Japan. It was the largest silver mine in Japan and used to mine a third of the silver in the world. It was developed in the 16th century and closed in 1923. 

The remains of the silver mine became a World Heritage Site in 2007. Since then lots of tourists have come to the Iwami Ginzan. Usually, the people who live in a World Heritage Site should be happy because their businesses go well in the area but the people there didn't think so. They wanted to protect their lives and environment. And then they shut out tourists' cars and buses from the town.Tourists  have to walk a long time toward the entrance of the mine. In addition, most of the remains of the mine were under the ground so they can't see them easily.

Now the residents, tourists and the nature in the Iwami Ginzan exist together in peace.