Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace and the Industrial Revolution

What is a reverberatory furnace?

Reverberatory furnaces were commonly seen in 17th and 18th century Europe, and were made for metal smelting. The smelted metals were used to create cannons and other large items.

The furnace body is made of fireproof bricks in an arch shape, and is completed with a brick chimney. The heat and fire in the furnace would reverberate in the arched area and melt the metals.

History of the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace

From early 1600s up until the late 1800s, Japan was in a period of isolation, and did not have much contact with the outside world. In 1853, American Commodore Matthew Perry landed in Japan in the hopes of opening their ports for trade. The Japanese then felt threatened by the Americans and other foreigners and their advanced technologies, and began opening up industrial facilities, like the reverberatory furnaces.

Egawa Hidetatsu, who was one of the head figures in the Edo Bay Coastal Defense during the time, took the central role in creating the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace in the Izu Shimoda region. The Izu Shimoda location was picked, since it had once been almost invaded by the American navy and had felt vulnerable since.

Egawa passed away in 1855 during the construction of the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace. His son, Egawa Hidetoshi, carried on with the construction and it was completed in 1857.

Post-construction

The Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace was under the direct control of the Edo government, and was a major producer of cannons. The cannon in Odaiba, Tokyo (currently known as Daiba Park) was also made at the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace. In 1864, the usage of the reverberatory furnace was cancelled.

The reverberatory furnace was abandoned after 1864. In 1908, it was repaired with the help of local citizens, and the rest is history. In 2015, The Nirayama Reverberatory Furnacewas given World Heritage Status as one of the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.

Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace Guidance Center

In order to tour the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, you must first visit the Guidance Center.

Inside the Guidance Center, you can also find exhibits that explain the history of the reverberatory furnace. There are also videos from the late 1800s, when the reverberatory furnace was in use. Visit the Guidance Center before entering the reverberatory furnace to further deepen your understanding.

Spot ① 16-meter tall chimney

The reverberatory furnace’s tall chimney

As you get closer to the reverberatory furnaces, you will be surprised at how big they are. All four chimneys, in fact, measure 16 meters tall. The height of the chimneys allowed for natural winds to form in them. About four tons of bricks are used to make these chimneys.

Spot ② Furnace opening and inlet

Although you cannot tour the inside of the furnaces, you can see the exterior up close. These are the furnace openings and inlets that were actually used during the late Edo period.

Furnace opening and inlet

The furnace opening is where the fuel was put, and the inlet is where the metals were placed to smelt. The fuel put in the furnace opening released heat, and the heat intensified by reverberating in the chimney. The heat then went to the metal to smelt it.

Spot ③ 24-pound cannon (replica)

Replica of the 24-pound cannon

To the side of the reverberatory furnaces, you will find the 24-pound cannon replica, which was commonly made here. The cannon actually weighs 3.5 tons and is 3.5 meters long, and was used mostly to guard the Edo Bay at Odaiba.

Spot ④ Observatory

The view from Kuraya-Narusawa

At Kuraya-Narusawa, you can taste local foods and beers and buy Izu souvenirs. On their tea field is an observatory, where you can climb up to see the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace and Mount Fuji. It is close from the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, and when you’re done, you can stay a bit longer to experience tealeaf picking. Tealeaf picking can be experienced in the spring and autumn.

Spot ⑤ Egawa-Tei

Egawa-Tei

Egawa-Tei is the where Egawa Hidetatsu, the man who built the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, used to live. The house is designated as an important cultural property, and it is one of the oldest mansions to exist in Japan today. It is located 10 minutes away from the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace by bus.

Inside Egawa-tei

The inner roof of the house is made without any screws or nails, and is very earthquake resistant. The pillar by the entrance is said to have been there since around 1200, when the Egawa family moved to the Izu area. It is considered sacred and kept with great care.

■ Directions to Egawa-Tei

From the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace to Egawa Tei, you can take a 30-minute walk or take the Nirayama Hansharo Circulating Bus (観光周遊韮山反射炉バス). The bus operates on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and for ¥300, you can ride on the bus all day. The bus operates 6 times a day.

Check the bus calendar to see if the Nirayama Hansharo Circulating Bus is operating during your visit.

Events

Events at/near the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace:

The Great Bread Forefather Festival (Jan.)

Every January, the Great Bread Forefather Fesitval is held at the Nirayama Cultural Center. The man who built the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, Egawa Hidetatsu, is also said to have been the first man to bake bread in Japan. At this event, famous bakeries from all around japan gather to sell bread and demonstrate the baking process.

Access

Nearest station: Nirayama-hansharo 韮山反射炉 (Bus Stop)

From Tokyo Station

【Tokyo Sta.】Tokaido Shinkansen / for Nagoya
→【Mishima Sta.】Izu Hakone Railway Sunzu Line / for Shuzenji
→【Izu-Nagaoka Sta.】Nirayama Hansharo Circulating Bus / for Nirayama-hansharo
→【Nirayama-hansharo Bus Stop】

From Shizuoka Station

【Shizuoka Sta.】Tokaido Shinkansen / for Tokyo
→【Mishima Sta.】Izu Hakone Railway Sunzu Line / for Shuzenji
→【Izu-Nagaoka Sta.】Nirayama Hansharo Circulating Bus / for Nirayama-hansharo
→【Nirayama-hansharo Bus Stop】

From Mount Fuji Shizuoka Airport

【Shizuoka Airport】Airport Shizuoka Just Line Bus / for Shin-Shizuoka
→【Shizuoka Sta.】Tokaido Shinkansen / for Tokyo
→【Mishima Sta.】Izu Hakone Railway Sunzu Line / for Shuzenji
→【Izu-Nagaoka Sta.】Nirayama Hansharo Circulating Bus / for Nirayama-hansharo
→【Nirayama-hansharo Bus Stop】

Japan’s only reverberatory furnace

Currently in Japan, there is one more reverberatory furnace, the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, but the one in Nirayama is the only one that was actually in use. Visit the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace to deepen your understanding on the Meiji Industrial Revolution and how Japan became the country that it is today.

Nearby Destinations

Izu Panorama Park

Located in Izu of Shizuoka prefecture, Izu Panorama Park is an open air park of 452 meters, and is filled with superb views, such as Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay. Aside from the views, there are other attractions, like foot baths and athletic areas. This park is enjoyable for persons of all ages!

Nirayama Strawberry Picking Center

From the months of January to May, you can pick fresh, sweet strawberries while gazing at the sight of Mt. Fuji. There are also shops with hand-made jams and fields with Rape Blossoms.

Shuzenji Temple

Shuzenji is the oldest Onsen area in the Little Kyoto of Izu. In this full of sights area, not only can you enjoy the healing waters at the onsen, but also the foot baths and the stroll paths filled with bamboos and calm winds.