Nirayama reverberatory furnace is a historical, industrial monument located in Izunokuni city. It is the only still extant reverberatory furnace in Japan and is more than 150 years old. It is a metal-smelting facility that produces quality iron. Initially, it was used to produce heavy fire weapons. The building, including the chimneys, are15.7m high, and tells the story of Japan’s industrialization and modernization in the 19th century. For this, and its impressive age as a reverberatory furnace, it is registered as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Photograph provided by Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association