Matsushige Lock Gate, Historical lock gate in Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
The Matsushige Lock Gate is a structure with a stone-based mechanism that connects the Hori River to the Nakagawa Canal and manages water levels between them. The system allowed boats to move safely between waterways with different heights.
This lock gate was built in the 1930s to support growing boat traffic in Nagoya's canal system. After decades of active service, it closed in 1976 when boat transport through the canals became less common.
The lock gate reflects how waterways were central to Nagoya's urban life in the early 20th century. Today, visitors can see how such structures connected different parts of the city and made movement of goods possible.
This site is located in the city center and is easy to access by public transport. Informational signs at the location explain how the mechanism worked and help visitors understand the engineering.
The lock gate was recognized as a cultural property in 1986 and given further protection as a city landmark in 1993. This double recognition shows how highly it is valued for preserving knowledge about Nagoya's industrial past.
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