Nunobiki Dam, Gravity dam in Fukiai-chō, Japan.
Nunobiki Dam is a concrete structure that rises 33.3 meters (109 feet) above the valley floor and stretches 110.3 meters (362 feet) across. The dam holds back water for the region and displays clean engineering lines typical of gravity dam design.
Engineers W. K. Burton and Chōsaku Yoshimura designed this as Japan's first concrete gravity dam, and it began storing water in 1900. The achievement demonstrated Japan's adoption of Western engineering methods to manage water resources for growing urban areas.
The name comes from the waterfalls that formed naturally in this valley, and the structure represents an early triumph of engineering that shaped how people relate to water resources. Visitors experience how this dam influenced the region's development and its relationship with nature.
You can reach the dam through hiking trails starting from Shin-Kobe Station or use the ropeway that goes to an intermediate station for easier access. The paths vary in difficulty, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water for the walk.
The dam sits on the Nunobiki fault line, a geological feature that researchers study to understand earthquake activity in the region. This location makes the site valuable for earth science research beyond its role as a water supply structure.
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