49 Abandoned Landmarks That Are More Beautiful Than Ever
20. Shime Coal Mine Winding Tower – Fukuoka, Japan
Dominating the landscape near Fukuoka, the Shime Coal Mine's winding tower is a stark, imposing monument to Japan's industrial past. This colossal concrete structure, built in the 1940s, once facilitated the descent and ascent of miners into the earth. After the mine closed in the 1960s, the tower was left standing—a powerful example of brutalist architecture and engineering prowess. Its sheer scale and geometric design create a unique, almost sculptural presence against the sky. It serves as a silent, stoic reminder of the region's coal-mining heritage and the human effort that once powered a nation.
