As you cycle through the town of Ikuno, you will experience a mining town with more than 1200 years of history. Take a moment and walk along the tracks of the mine carts that carried the ore at the time and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the rivers, shrines and nature. Learn how French engineers were involved in the development of the industrialisation of the mining town and the first step towards the modernization of Japan. Ikuno is located at the Centre of Hyogo prefecture linking Tajima and Harima. The town includes the headstream of Maruyama River drifting to the Sea of Japan and Ichikawa River drifting to the Seto Inland Sea. In turn, it is the watershed of the north and the south of Hyogo prefecture. Additionally, as the legend goes, the opening of Ikuno silver mine was in the 2nd year of the Daido era (807). Furthermore, a magistrate's office was placed in Ikuno during the Edo era. Accordingly, the silver mine has been supporting the town's prosperity since a long time ago.