Ikawa Dam, Gravity dam in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Ikawa Dam stretches 243 meters across the Oi River while rising to a height of 103.6 meters with a hollow concrete gravity structure. The design was engineered to hold massive volumes of water while maintaining the stability of this type of construction.
Built in 1957 by Chubu Electric Power Company, it marked the first hollow gravity dam construction in Japan and opened a new chapter for hydropower development. This project demonstrated innovative engineering approaches that would be applied to future water projects across the nation.
The lake formed here required relocating local residents, establishing a compensation model that shaped how future dam projects in Japan treated affected communities. The site became a reference point for how large infrastructure changes could be managed with attention to people's needs.
The site is accessible via the Oigawa Railway, which stops at Ikawa Station a short walk from the main entrance. Wear comfortable shoes since the approach involves uneven terrain and you may want to explore the grounds around the dam structure.
The exhibition center awards dam cards to visitors, a collectible that many tourists gather when visiting different dams across Japan. These cards reflect how people connect with hydropower engineering and water management as part of their travel experiences.
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