Sayama Pond, Irrigation reservoir in Ōsakasayama, Japan.
Sayama Pond is an irrigation reservoir in Ōsakasayama created by an earthen dam that collects water for agricultural use. Water flows outward through a network of channels to irrigate surrounding farmland.
The reservoir was originally built around 616 CE during Empress Suiko's reign. A Buddhist monk later undertook major improvements that influenced how Japan managed water systems.
The name refers to the water body's location and shape in the region. Today, it serves as a place where visitors can observe how ancient engineering principles shaped the landscape.
The site is best explored on foot to view the dam and surrounding landscape. A nearby museum displays archaeological finds from different construction periods and offers context for what you see.
Archaeologists discovered ancient wooden pipes and stone coffins beneath the north bank from different time periods. These findings reveal how the site was repeatedly rebuilt and improved over centuries.
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