Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, we toured the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, the only existing practical reverberatory furnace in Japan, on a Harley Sports Glide (FLSB). Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace is a valuable historical site that has been registered as a World Heritage Site, but what is it like to go there by bike? I will report on the situation.
What is Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace?
Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace is the remains of a reverberatory furnace built by the Shogunate at the end of the Edo period. A reverberatory furnace is a device that burns coal or charcoal and exposes the high-temperature air to metal to melt it. At the Nirayama reverberatory furnace, cannons were made by melting cast iron and bronze. It was built to strengthen coastal defense at the end of the Edo period, and was the first place in Japan to manufacture Western-style cannons on its own. Currently, it is designated as a national historic site, and in 2015 it was registered as a World Heritage Site as “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, and Coal Industry”.
Route to Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace
This time, we started from central Tokyo. First, take the Shuto Expressway and enter the Tomei Expressway. On the Tomei Expressway, transfer to the Izu Jukan Expressway from the Numazu Interchange or Nagaizumi Numazu Interchange. On the Izu Jukan Expressway, exit at the Oba-Kannan Interchange and enter Prefectural Route 136. On Prefectural Route 136, enter Prefectural Route 132 from Otoi, Kannami Town. On Prefectural Route 132, the signboard that says Reverberatory Furnace Canon Road is a landmark. If you drive a little further from there, you will see the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace.
This route took about two and a half hours. There are rest areas and convenience stores along the way, but please note that there is no service area on the Izu Jukan Expressway. Additionally, Prefectural Roads 136 and 132 are narrow and have many curves, so please drive safely.
Highlights of Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace
When you arrive at Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, the first thing you will see is the reverberatory furnace itself, which is approximately 15 meters high and consists of two twin reactors and four reactors. The outside is stacked with stones from Izu, and the inside is made of firebrick. It is a valuable building that still retains its original appearance.
In front of the reverberatory furnace, a cannon manufactured at that time is displayed. Of particular note is the cast iron 18 pound cannon. This was Japan’s first Western-style cannon, and was cast in the Nirayama reverberatory furnace. It weighs about 1.5 tons. There are also bronze cannons and mortars, but these were not manufactured at the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, but were made elsewhere and relocated.
There is a guidance center next to the reverberatory furnace body. Here, we use panels and videos to introduce the history and structure of the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, as well as its value as a World Heritage Site. Also on display are a model of the Nirayama reverberatory furnace and tools used at the time. At the guidance center, volunteer guides will provide detailed explanations. Guides do not require reservations and are free of charge, but depending on the number of people you may be guided separately.
Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace Motorcycle Parking Lot
Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace has a parking lot for motorcycles. There is space for motorcycles in the private parking lot right next to the reverberatory furnace itself, which is free to use.
Summary
This time, I toured Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace from Tokyo on a Harley Sports Glide (FLSB). The Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace is the only existing practical reverberatory furnace in Japan, and is a valuable historical site that has been registered as a World Heritage Site. You can see the main body of the reverberatory furnace built to strengthen coastal defense at the end of the Edo period and cannons manufactured at the time. Also, at the guidance center, volunteer guides will provide detailed explanations. If you go by bike, there is free bike parking, but be careful of one-way streets and U-turn points.
Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace is a recommended spot for those interested in history and culture. Please come and visit us at least once.
※ 韮山反射炉（英語：Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces）
