A Dam in the Middle of Tsuchiyu Onsen
The Higashi Karasu River First Dam (東鴉川第一堰堤, Higashi Karasugawa Daiichi Entei) is a gravity concrete sabo dam built in 1948 and enlarged in 1951 at the lowest reach of the Higashi Karasu River, a right-bank tributary of the Arakawa River, inside the hot-spring town of Tsuchiyu Onsen-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on July 8, 2008.
The national record gives a crest length of 56 meters and a height of 7.5 meters. It is the lowest of the three registered dams on the Higashi Karasu River, with the Third Dam 475 meters upstream, and it is registration number 07-0105.
A debris flow struck the Higashi Karasu River in 1938, and since the stream runs just above the spa town, controlling it meant protecting the town itself.
Why the Higashi Karasu River First Dam Was Registered
The Higashi Karasu River First Dam was registered under the criterion for structures that contribute to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs credits it with contributing to the historic scenery of the hot-spring town.
The facing changes from side to side: the downstream face is laid in level-coursed Nunozumi, the upstream face in diagonal Tanizumi. The neat coursed masonry faces the side people actually see, a sensible choice for a dam in the middle of town.
What to Look For
From the town, the stone dam lies right beside inns and houses. Most sabo dams sit in remote gorges, but here everyday life and erosion control share the same view.
On the downstream face, the courses of stone run in level lines. At 7.5 meters high, it is low enough to take in the whole face from close by.
Visiting the Higashi Karasu River First Dam
The Higashi Karasu River First Dam is a working erosion-control structure. There is no fee; you view it from nearby, and climbing on the dam or going down to the riverbed is not allowed. After rain the river can rise suddenly, so keep away from the banks. Directions are on the Arakawa River Sabo Dams page.
Standing in the town, it is the easiest of the Arakawa dams to reach; buses from Fukushima Station terminate at Tsuchiyu Onsen.
Q&A
- When was the Higashi Karasu River First Dam built and registered?
- It was built in 1948 and enlarged in 1951, and registered on July 8, 2008, under registration number 07-0105.
- Where is the Higashi Karasu River First Dam?
- At the lowest reach of the Higashi Karasu River, a right-bank tributary of the Arakawa, inside the town of Tsuchiyu Onsen near the confluence.
- How is the Higashi Karasu River First Dam faced?
- The downstream face is level-coursed nunozumi masonry and the upstream face diagonal tanizumi.
- How large is the Higashi Karasu River First Dam?
- It is a gravity concrete dam 56 meters long and 7.5 meters high.
- Can I visit the Higashi Karasu River First Dam?
- It is a working facility you can view from nearby, free of charge; climbing on it is not allowed. It stands in the spa town and is easy to reach.
Basic Information
| Name | Higashi Karasu River First Dam (東鴉川第一堰堤) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kaminomachi, Tsuchiyu Onsen-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | 2008 (registered) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Gravity concrete dam, crest length 56 m, height 7.5 m |
| Owner | National government (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) |
| Public Access | Outdoor working facility, exterior viewable from nearby (free) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs): Higashi Karasu River First Dam
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00007174
- MLIT Fukushima River and National Highway Office: Sabo Works in the Arakawa Basin (Japanese)
- https://www.thr.mlit.go.jp/fukushima/sabo/100/110.html
- Fukushima Prefecture Infrastructure Tourism: Arakawa Sabo Dams (Japanese)
- https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/infra/arakawa.html
Last verified: 2026.10.06
