Utara Coal Mine

Earlier, the predecessor of Marumitsu Mining Company, Takasaki Mining Company was established in 1924 by Kōichirō Noda, a contractor with 50 workers, Kimiichi Oguri, an accountant general, and Shōsaburō Takasaki, a money lender in Naha.

Coal was sent first by Minecart and later by boat on the Utara river carrying 20 to 30 tons each.

Sanitary conditions were greatly improved; glass was used for the prevention of mosquitoes and hence malaria.

The president of the company, Kōichirō Noda gave up the mine and was engaged in agriculture.

[3] In 2007, the ruins of the Utara Mine were designated as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization in Japan and a road was improved.