Location: Hirase, Shirakawa Village, Ono-gun, Gifu Prefecture
View of the embankment from the left bank
I got off at the Shogawa IC of the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway and headed north on Route 156 to reach the Mimogai Dam. It is a major dam in this area, so you will be able to reach it without getting lost.
However, the major attraction may not be the embankment but the "Shogawa cherry tree," which was almost destined to sink into the dam lake. There were more visitors to the Shogawa-zakura than to the embankment, even though it is not cherry blossom season. Please refer to the following URL for more information on the Shogawa Cherry Blossoms.
http://www.jpower.co.jp/sakura/
Close-up of water intake
There is a tunnel on Route 156 near the embankment, but it seemed to be difficult for large vehicles to pass each other, and the horns were always blowing inside the tunnel to warn each other. I parked near the tunnel, and the exhaust was so loud that I could not stand it.
View of the monument
It is a rather splendid monument. However, it is slightly darkened due to exhaust gas.
View of the drainage channel from the levee
It is a drainage channel that looks like a huge slide. This is probably a drainage channel from an emergency flood discharge.
View of the water intake from the dike
View of the levee (downstream side) from the left bank
View of the power generation facility from the dike
Everything is so large that the power generation facility below looks like a model. Also, the perspective of the surrounding mountains and the embankment is so distorted that it almost makes me dizzy.
*This is not a power generation facility, but a substation facility. The power generation facility is said to be underground (Abebe-san Thanx!).
View of the embankment (lake side) from the right bank
View of the levee (downstream side) from the right bank
View of the levee from the damside park downstream
Downstream is the "MIBORO Damside Park," a PR exhibition building that also serves as a drive-in. The exterior of the building looks like a spaceship, although it was difficult to compose a photo of the exterior.
Inside the Damside Park (Mimogai Power House)
Damside Park was just built in 2001, so it is new, clean, and very well designed. I personally rate it as one of the best dam exhibition halls I have ever visited.
dam characteristics
| da mu | form (something takes) | rockfill dam |
|---|---|---|
| Bank height | 131m | |
| Bank length | 405.0m | |
| Dam volume | 7,950,000m3 | |
| Elevation of non-overflow area | E.L.m | |
| savings water (esp. cool, fresh water, e.g. drinking water) pond | catchment area | 442.8 km2 |
| Reservoir area | 880ha | |
| Total storage capacity | 370,000,000m3 | |
| Effective water storage capacity | 330,000,000m3 | |
| Year of launch | 1957 | |
| Year Completed | 1961 | |
Other facilities/observations
| Parking lot | ○ | The only other rockfill dam as good as this one is the Mimogi Dam. I can't think of anything else but the Tedorigawa Dam for a moment. It is also a huge and wonderful dam in every way. The damside park downstream from the dam is magnificent, though. I don't think you can really get a sense of the enormity of it there alone. We encourage you to visit the levee. |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet | ○ | |
| Park | × | |
| PR Exhibition Hall | ○ |
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