photo by Daniel Héctor Stolfi Rosso
Japan, an island nation with little level ground and many hills and mountains. Thousands of rivers threading their way through those hills and mountains. During rainy season and typhoon season, those rivers drains increased rainwater into the sea. For the county with such land features, water control is one of the most important project as well as rainwater utilization for power generation and industrial purpose. As a result, so many dams have been built in Japan over the decades. Surprisingly, about 3,000 of dams are in Japan including ones under construction. Some of those dams operates water release, which is normally for water level control, for tourism purpose. Watching dam water blow out with a thunderous noise is just amazing! This column will introduce some of dams that operate water release for tourism purpose.
Kurobe Dam (Toyama prefecture)
Probably, this is the best known dam in Japan. The Kurobe Dam is a variable-radius arch dam at 186 meters in height, which is the tallest dam in Japan. Originally, it was built under the name of Kansai Electric Power Company in order for electric power generation. Also, it is visited by many tourists every year as a highlight of the tourism in this area along man-made Lake Kurobe, Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route and other tourist’s attractions. Dam water release is operated for tourism purpose from June to October every year. Tourists can watch spectacular gush of water at 10tonnes/second with a great roar from four overview spots. Also, many more activities are available to fill your day: the photo shooting system with released water in the background and enjoying local gourmet “Kurobe Dam Curry”.
Access: Approx 16minutes from Ogizawa station by trolley bus (fees apply)
Kurobe Dam Official Site (Japanese only)
Houheikyo Dam (Hokkaido)
This dam was built in order for improvement of the river Toyohira running through Sapporo city, the largest city in Hokkaido, as well as power and water supply to the city. Up north from the Houheikyo Dam, there are Jozankei Onsen and Houheikyo Onsen, many tourists visits the dam after they enjoy onsen spa. Also, this area is widely known for beautiful autumn scenery. Many people visit here to enjoy the colored autumn leaves from overview points and footpaths. Dam water release is operated for tourism purpose from June to October. You can observe a great water release from the top of the dam.
Access: Approx 60 minutes from JR Sapporo station to Houheikyo Dam carpark (free). Use an electric bus from the carpark to the dam (fees apply).
Houheikyo Official Site
Houheikyo Dam water release schedule (Japanese only)
Miyagase Dam (Kanagawa prefecture)
The Miyagase Dam is a multi-purpose dam which was built in order for river improvement, water supply in the area and power supply. The surrounding area including the dam and man-made Lake Miyagase is a large comprehensive park with viewing platforms, dam museum, gardens or canoe lessons and many more activities. Dam water release for tourism purpose is held from April to November: every Wednesday, second Sunday, second and forth Friday of the month. Many people visit here to watch two water falls next to each other gashing out from the gate from 70m height, for 6minutes in the morning and afternoon. A handy access from metropolitan area is a big upside as well. It is just 50km away from central Tokyo.
Access: Approx 50minutes from JR・Keio “Hashimoto” station by Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu Bus.
Lake Miyagase Official Site (Japanese only)
Nukui Dam (Hiroshima prefecture)
The Nukui Dam is a variable-radius arch dam that was built in order for water and power supply in the surrounding area, as well as improvement of the river Ota that experienced a number of floodwater damages. It is the second highest dam in Japan following the Kurobe Dam. The man-made Lake Ryuki is one of the popular tourists’ destinations of Hiroshima which is well known for the beautiful autumn sceneries. The period from 11th June to 25th October of each year is called “flooding period” here, and dam water gets released to control the water level of the dam to prepare for upcoming rainy season. While this dam water release event is attracting many tourists every year, you can also view inside the dam museum and the tunnel located the bottom level of the dam, or get a dam card at the dam control room.
Access: 100munites from Hiroshima station Shinkansen Line Exit by Iwami Kotsu express bus.
Akiota Tourism Association
Tokuyama Dam (Gifu prefecture)
The Tokuyama Dam is a multi-purpose dam with the largest total reservoir storage in Japan. It is one of rock-fill dams that are built with rock, earth and sand as the main fill material. It has long sloping embankments. During the Golden Week holiday, dam water gets released from the gate on top of the dam. Unlike many other dams in Japan, dam water doesn’t gush out with laud roar. Instead, it beautifully runs down on the embankment creating scaly patterns. Many tourists gathers to watch this special water release each year. The man-made Lake Tokuyama was named after the little village sunk under the water in the course of the construction of the dam. The pictures of former Tokuyama village are exhibited at Tokuyama Hall located in the neighboring area.
Access: 80munites drive from Ogaki IC of Meishin highway via Route 303 and Route 417.
Tokuyama Dam Control Room (Japanese only)
Naruko Dam (Miyagi Prefecture)
The Naruko Dam is the third variable-radius arch dam ever built in Japan and designed for multi-purpose such as river improvement and power supply. During the Golden Week holiday, a number of carp shaped banners are exhibited over the dam water released from the top of the concrete arch. A bunch of carp look as if they are reversing up the waterfalls, which is named “Sudare waterfalls”, bring a feeling of the season. The surrounding area is full of activity facilities including camping site, sporting field, barbeque area and more. Also, the dam control room and the dam museum is open to public. You can enjoy many other activities after a dam visit.
Access: 7munits from JR Naruko Onsen station by taxi
Natuko Dam Control Room (Japanese only)
Feel the power of water!
Among thousands of dams in Japan, just a few of them operate water release open to public. It’s not just watching dam water running down, you will be listening a blast of water with vibrations in the air. Dam water release is normally held from spring after temperature warms up. It is also a great opportunity to learn about the structure and system of dam in open facilities such as the control room. You may have to travel for long as most of the dams are located in the middle of nowhere, but well, even that can be fun sometimes. Don’t forget to check the schedule of water release on the website before you go.
