Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace
韮山反射炉
A smelting furnace built in the late Edo period to cast cannons, the only reverberatory furnace in Japan that actually operated and is part of a World Heritage Site.
The Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace was built in 1857 under the direction of Egawa Hidetatsu, a shogunate magistrate. It was used to melt iron for casting Western-style cannons, in response to coastal defense needs after the arrival of the Black Ships. It is the only reverberatory furnace in Japan that was ever actually put into operation. Its twin-towered chimney, about 15.7 meters high, is built of firebrick. In 2015 the furnace was inscribed as a World Heritage Site as part of the “Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution.” A visitor center next to it offers films and model displays. Admission is about 500 yen, and the site is open roughly 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from October to February). It is about a 25-minute walk from Izu-Nagaoka Station.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–17:00 (until 16:30 in winter)
Nearby sights
- Izu Panorama Park
- Shuzenji Onsen
- Mishima Taisha
- Atami Baien Plum Garden
- Mishima Skywalk
- Kiunkaku
- Kinomiya Shrine
- Atami Castle