Fukashiro Dam, Gravity dam in Otsuki, Japan
Fukashiro Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Sagami River near Otsuki, in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture. Standing 87 m (285 ft) tall, it holds back water by relying entirely on the weight of its own concrete mass.
Work on the dam started in the mid-1990s, when tunnels were dug to redirect the Sagami River so construction could begin. The structure was fully operational by the early 2000s, completing a project that took about a decade from start to finish.
The dam sits in a mountain region where water has shaped daily life for a long time, and local people still come to the valley to see the river. When water flows over or through the structure, it draws visitors who come simply to watch.
Good views of the dam face are found from the valley floor and from paths along the river below the structure. Access to the area can be limited during bad weather or high water, so it is worth checking conditions before heading out.
The dam was designed to release water in a controlled way during heavy rainfall, which matters in a region that is regularly hit by typhoons. This ability to manage sudden surges sets it apart from simpler water-blocking structures.
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