From the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji era, steelmaking technology in Japan was reliant on foreign countries.

But that changed in the Meiji era when the Yahata Steel Works was established. Thanks to Steel Works, Japan could be self-reliant and make iron locally.

The Steel Works is a Western-style building made of red brick-- not exactly what you’d expect for a steel factory. The Higashi Daiichi blast furnace ignited for the first time in 1901. It was a joyous occasion for the locals.

Yahata had to overcome many hardships, including environmental issues, but its residents worked together to find solutions and persevere.

The building is currently closed to the public, but there is a space where you can see the former main office.