A Brick Power Station of the Besshi Copper Mine
The Former Hadeba Hydroelectric Power Station (旧端出場水力発電所) is a brick hydroelectric power station completed in 1912 at Tachikawa-cho, Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, which in 2011 was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a two-storey brick building with a metal roof and a building area of 528 square metres, owned by Niihama City.
Minetopia Besshi notes that it has been kept for over a century through the changing fortunes of the Besshi copper mine.
Structure
According to the Agency, it stands on a steep slope on the right bank of the Ashitani River, with two raised roof ventilators and English-bond brickwork. The long sides show pilasters, with paired arched windows above and large segmental-arched windows below.
The Niihama tourism association explains that water was brought from a tributary of the Dozan River in the Yoshino River system across the mountains, and a head of 597 metres, said to be the greatest in the East, drove the generators.
What to Look For
The Agency notes how the contrast of brick and stone stands out against the deep green hillside. The tourism association likens its heavy exterior to a European church; inside, a great steel-trussed hall keeps the original generators and Pelton wheels, along with cranes, control panels and frequency converters.
Minetopia Besshi adds that traces of the penstocks and water channels remain.
Visiting the Former Hadeba Hydroelectric Power Station
Minetopia Besshi gives opening hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with free admission, closed for five days from the Monday of the third week of February. Access involves stairs with a rise of about 10 metres, and there are no toilets inside.
Use the Minetopia Besshi car park. Enquiries: Minetopia Besshi, 0897-43-1801.
Q&A
- When was the power station built?
- It was completed in 1912.
- What does it look like?
- English-bond brick with paired arched and segmental-arched windows, reminiscent of a European church.
- How great was the head of water?
- 597 metres, said to be the greatest in the East.
- What is inside?
- Original generators and Pelton wheels, cranes and control panels.
- Is there an admission fee?
- No, admission is free according to Minetopia Besshi.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Hadeba Hydroelectric Power Station (旧端出場水力発電所) |
|---|---|
| Location | 594 Tachikawa-cho, Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2011/1/26 (Heisei 23) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Two-storey brick, metal roof, building area 528 square metres |
| Owner | Niihama City |
| Public Access | Open 9:00 to 17:00, free |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Former Hadeba Hydroelectric Power Station (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00008596
- Cultural Heritage Online: Former Hadeba Hydroelectric Power Station (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/199312
- Niihama Tourism Association: Former Hadeba Power Station (Japanese)
- https://niihama.info/spot/217?loc=ja
- Minetopia Besshi: Former Hadeba Power Station (Japanese)
- https://besshi.com/hadebahydroelectricpowergeneration/
Last verified: 2026.09.28