A Meiji Coal Road Tunnel with Brick Portals
The Chuai Tunnel (仲哀隧道) is a tunnel of 1889 in Kawara Town, Tagawa District, and Miyako Town, Miyako District, Fukuoka Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on April 28, 2000 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a tunnel 432 metres long with brick portals; registration number 40-0014.
A Tunnel for Chikuho Coal
The Chuai Tunnel, 432 metres long, was dug to carry coal and other goods mined in the Chikuho region (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The ends of the bore are lined with brick and stone, while the rest is bare rock. The horseshoe openings are framed in cut granite, and the brick portals are decorated with pilaster-like posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape, a Meiji tunnel that served the coal trade. A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism document also lists it among Fukuoka Prefecture's modern heritage.
What to Look For
Look for the horseshoe openings framed in cut granite and the brick portals with their pilaster-like posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
No official information on passage through the tunnel or on visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was the Chuai Tunnel built?
- In 1889 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why was it dug?
- To carry coal and other goods from the Chikuho coalfield.
- How long is it?
- 432 metres.
- How is the name read?
- Chu-ai, according to the Agency's reading.
- When was the Chuai Tunnel registered?
- On April 28, 2000 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Chuai Tunnel (仲哀隧道) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1073 Kagamiyama, Kawara Town, Tagawa District, to 2032-6 Matsuda, Miyako Town, Miyako District, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2000/04/28 (Heisei 12) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Brick portals, 432 m long |
| Owner | Kawara Town and Miyako Town |
| Public Access | Passage not confirmed |
References
- Chuai Tunnel (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00001756
- Chuai Tunnel, Meiji-era infrastructure sheet (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japanese)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/sogoseisaku/region/infratourism/assets/pdf/meiji/kyusyu03.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.18