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Massive concrete structures slowly being embraced by trees and covered in moss…
The Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture is a place that looks like it stepped right out of Studio Ghibli’s “Castle in the Sky.” This industrial heritage site, which once served as a major facility for the Sado Gold Mine, has been transformed by nature into a fantastical landscape.
By day, you can enjoy the mystical scenery of moss-covered massive structures harmonizing with nature. By night, the site transforms into an ethereal world illuminated by artistic lighting. Depending on when you visit, this historic site reveals completely different expressions, making it a must-see destination.
What’s even more remarkable is that this otherworldly space is free to visit 24 hours a day.
A new work of art born from Sado’s nature. In this article, we’ll introduce you to its overwhelming presence and unique beauty. If you’re visiting Sado Island, this is an absolute must-see attraction!
The Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site is an industrial heritage located in the Aikawa district of Sado City, Niigata Prefecture. This ore processing facility operated from 1938 to 1973, functioning as a flotation plant to process ore extracted from the Sado Gold Mine. Today, it is open to the public and illuminated at night.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Official Website | Sado Tourism Navi |
| Parking | Free parking available |
| Access | 5 min by car from Sado Gold Mine / About 50 min by car from Ryotsu Port |
| Address | 3 - 2 Aikawa Kitazawa - cho, Sado City, Niigata 952 - 1539 |
The Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site is a truly dynamic ruin. You can witness the fantastical sight of massive concrete buildings being reclaimed by vegetation, merging with nature. The scene is exactly like the world of Ghibli’s “Castle in the Sky.”
Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that each room has an unusual shape, giving the entire building an almost eerie impression. The massive and peculiar forms, a result of its industrial purpose, create an extraordinary atmosphere. It feels like ancient Roman ruins, or perhaps a completely different world beyond our own. You can’t help but wonder what kind of work was performed in this facility that once processed ore from the Sado Gold Mine.
One thing is certain: it is beautiful.
Human structures crumbling and being consumed by nature truly resemble the worlds depicted in Ghibli films.
The Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site features a massive circular building called the Thickener, with a diameter of 50 meters.
The Thickener was a “slurry concentration device” used in ore processing. This facility separated water from the muddy ore (slurry) remaining after flotation, concentrating the minerals. Specifically, slurry was fed into the Thickener, and gravity was used to separate minerals from water. The separated minerals were sent to the next process, while the water was recycled.
This Thickener was built in 1938 and boasted the largest scale in Japan at the time, significantly contributing to the efficiency of ore processing.
The Thickener is so massive that seeing it without knowing what it is will surprise you. From every angle, you might think it’s a Roman amphitheater or stadium. Yet this Thickener too has been consumed by nature, creating a fantastical atmosphere with a touch of melancholy.
And indeed, it is beautiful. This is the beauty of ruins.
Another highlight of the Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site is its night illumination. When illuminated by various lights and floating in the darkness, the site’s atmosphere intensifies, becoming even more fantastical.
The Thickener is also illuminated. When massive ruins create such an immersive atmosphere, it truly feels like art. Simply put, it’s beautiful.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | Early April 2026 - Early January 2027 |
| Hours (April - September) | 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
| Hours (October - January) | 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
| Admission | Free |
Kitazawa Flotation Plant Illumination | Sado Tourism Navi
The Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site has free parking, so you can visit with peace of mind if driving. Restrooms are also available at the parking lot.
Take a route bus operated by Niigata Kotsu Sado Co., Ltd. and get off at the “Aikawa Hakubutsukan-mae” bus stop. The Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site is right in front of the bus stop.
Three bus routes stop at the “Aikawa Hakubutsukan-mae” bus stop: the Main Line, Nanaura Kaigan Line, and Kaifu Line (weekdays only).
Route Bus | Niigata Kotsu Sado Co., Ltd.
The Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site has transcended its origins as an industrial facility to become what can only be described as a work of art. By day, it shows the majestic appearance of ruins merged with trees and moss. By night, it reveals a fantastical expression adorned with lights. Its appearance is truly like the world of the movie “Castle in the Sky.”
When you actually visit, you’ll be overwhelmed by a scale that photos simply cannot convey. The presence of the 50-meter diameter “Thickener” in particular can only be understood by seeing it in person.
The unique beauty dwelling in decaying structures. The sight of nature embracing man-made objects that cannot return to nature. And the memories of people who once worked here. Various stories are etched into the Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site.
This place, which stands out among Japan’s industrial heritage sites, has gained attention as a “must-see spot on Sado Island” among photography enthusiasts, architecture fans, history buffs, and ruin lovers.
Furthermore, just 5 minutes away by car is the World Heritage “Sado Gold Mine,” boasting 400 years of history. At Sado Gold Mine, you can explore tunnels dating back to the Edo period and experience how mining was conducted in those days. Visiting both the Kitazawa Flotation Plant Site and Sado Gold Mine together allows you to more deeply experience the history of gold mining development on Sado.
When visiting Sado, please be sure to visit this mystical industrial heritage site along with the Sado Gold Mine. Once you see it with your own eyes, you’ll truly feel its immense scale and beauty.
