Let's go to popular spots!
Let's go to popular spots!
Displaying majestic nature and gigantic man-made objects that make you want to press the camera shutter without thinking. Here are 6 carefully selected dams that Obayashi has built!
A concrete gravity dam for flood control was built in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. The dam is normally empty, as the dam allows constant water flow through a flood-regulating spillway. A fish ladder has also been installed to help fish swim upstream, making it an eco-friendly dam. The upstream side structure of the dam is visible as it usually does not store water.
It is a dam that was built as a flood control measure in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture. It was the first medium-sized or larger dam in Japan to adopt the full-length free overflow system, in which the crown itself also serves as an emergency spillway, and it attracted the attention as the world's first continuous air-lock water intake equipment has been adopted. It may not be visible normally, but the discharge from the crest as an emergency spillway spreads unique water patterns all over the top similar to a large water curtain.
It is a dam that was built as a flood control measure for the Yodo River basin. It is a famous tourist spot because of its location where one can enjoy cherry blossoms and autumn leaves from the top of the crest and its proximity to Uji city. The name of the reservoir, which was decided by public competition, is "Lake Phoenix", probably because of the Byodo-in Temple Phoenix shrine located downstream of the dam. The beautiful arch of the dam looks like a phoenix with its wings spread when viewed from the downstream side. It's easy to access from the city center, so why not check it out?
In 1972, due to the massive flooding along the Yoneshiro River, the Anigawa dam was planned, and in 1988, at the request of the locals, it was renamed Moriyoshizan dam after Mt. Moriyoshi, a symbolic mountain in the area. Taking advantage of the rich geological features of rocks and gravel, the created rockfill dam is a masterpiece. From the observation platform of the neighboring public information hall, one can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the dam.
It is a concrete gravity dam that was constructed as a multi-purpose dam in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Shimajigawa Dam was constructed using the RCD (Roller Compacted Dam-Concrete) method for the first time in the world. The RCD method is a construction method in which extremely stiff consistency concrete is spread evenly with a bulldozer and compacted with a vibrating roller. It is a dam that has attracted attention both domestically and abroad as a dam that has advanced dam construction technology.
The Nukabira Dam is a dam dedicated to power generation and plays an active role as an important power source in eastern Hokkaido. Located in Daisetsuzan National Park, one can enjoy the coexistence of Hokkaido's magnificent nature and dam together. The reservoir, Lake Nukabira, is an artificial lake created by a dam. When the water level drops, the bridge over the Taushubetsu River, where the Japanese National Railways Shihoro Line once passed, appears. The sight of the arched bridge and the rich nature reflected on the calm surface of the lake is just fantastic.
Let’s change the front, back, and side angles of the dam, and take a picture. In addition, by shooting as if looking up, one can create a powerful composition, or by taking a bird's eye view from a high place such as an observatory platform, one can emphasize the contrast with the surrounding natural environment.
Let's change the lens to use depending on the shooting location. By using a wide-angle lens from close to the dam to cover a large range, one can emphasize the expanse and perspective. Conversely, it is also an interesting way to compress the perspective and distort the sense of size by shooting with a telephoto lens from a good view place.
The appearance of the dam changes in various ways depending on the season and time zone. Find your favorite places and the appearance of the dam, and take snippets of the moment. Even more, it might be good to visit during events such as water discharge from the dam.
Some dams are visited by one million people a year and are very popular as tourist spots. There are plenty of events such as water discharge for tourists, tours of the inside of the dam, dam trekking, and photo sessions. Let’s join the rich nature!
Originally, the water is discharged for flood control and water utilization, but its rarity and impact have become a hot topic, and one can enjoy the water discharge as an event at Kurobe Dam and Hoheikyo Dam. One can enjoy various appearances of the discharge, from those with a huge amount of water to those with a fantastic flow. Some dams release water regularly, so be sure to check their websites or the Japan Dam Association for information.
Tours that focus on visiting the dam are also popular. There are various tours, such as a tour where one can see the back side of the dam that normally is invisible, and a tour where one can learn while listening to explanations from the guide. Some tours allow one to see not only completed dams, but also dams under construction. How about planning a trip to enjoy the power of the huge facility while enjoying the surrounding rich nature and hot springs?
It is also fun to take a leisurely walk around the dam and see it from an unusual angle. Courses vary from the dam to dam. One can look up at the tourist discharge of the dam from downstream, stretch your legs a little and enjoy the surrounding nature, and enjoy the fresh greenery and autumn leaves while feeling the negative ions along the mountain stream. Would you like to get away from the noise of the city and refresh your mind and body while listening to the sound of water?
A dam photo session where many photography enthusiasts gather. In addition to introducing the highlights of the dam to the staff, the real pleasure of the photography event is the interaction between the participants. By teaching each other shooting points and showing each other the photos you have taken, you will be able to broaden your photography horizons. There are also events where models and local characters participate, as well as events where professional photographers provide photography guidance. Let's expand the circle of friendship through the dam.
If one visits a dam, a dam card is a must-have. A dam card is a maniac trading card with a photo and information about a dam. On the front is a photo of the dam, and on the back is basic information such as the dam's type, water storage capacity, and construction method, as well as trivia information such as particular technology. In addition to dams managed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism and Japan Water Agency, cards are also created at dams managed by some prefectures and power generation companies and are distributed at dam management offices and nearby facilities.
If you visit a dam, you must eat "dam curry". A curry that can be enjoyed by watching and tasting, reproducing the dam embankment with rice and the reservoir with curry roux. The origin of the shape can be found in Kurobe Dam's "Arch Curry" which appeared in 1965. Currently, there are more than 90 kinds of dam curries all over Japan, and you can eat them at restaurants around the dams. There is a wide variety, from those that faithfully create the shape of the dam body to those that reproduce the landscape with ingredients.
Check Point!
There are many dangerous places in the dam area. When visiting the dam, please follow the instructions of the staff and guides, give thoughtful attention to safety and enjoy the dam observation with moderation.
Obayashi-Dam Innovative Construction Technology
About dam
Live videos of dam construction
Completed records of dam construction