Shimizusawa Thermal Power Plant, built in 1926, once powered the surrounding coal mines of Yubari, producing 6000KW of energy for industrial use. Owned by Hokutan, Hokkaido Colliery & Steamship Co, the plant played a crucial role in Japan’s coal industry and was later converted to supply electricity to the general public during Japan’s post-war reconstruction.
Significant upgrades in the 1960s increased its capacity to 74,500KW, making it the largest privately owned power generation facility in Japan at the time. However, in 1981, a tragic methane explosion at Hokutan’s Yubari New Mine led to the closure of the mine and, ultimately, the plant’s shutdown in 1991.
Today, much of the original site has been demolished, but the remaining structures, including the control room, have been repurposed by the Shimizusawa Project—an initiative dedicated to preserving Yubari’s industrial heritage. Through guided tours and art exhibitions, the site continues to tell the story of Japan’s coal-mining legacy.
Own a piece of Japan’s industrial history. Explore the collection below.
