The Tallest Dam on the Upper Jinzu
The Kuwatani No. 5 Sabo Dam (桑谷第五号砂防堰堤) is the tallest dry-stone sabo dam on the upper Jinzu of 1920 in Kuwano, Miyagawacho, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 29, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a stone dam 31 metres long and 9.1 metres high, with a sub-dam; registration number 21-275.
The Tallest Dam on the Upper Jinzu
The Kuwatani sabo dams are stone erosion-control dams built in 1920 and 1921 on the Kuwatani, a stream of the Miyagawa in the Jinzu River system; 5 of them are registered (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Gifu Prefecture). From downstream they run No. 5, No. 1, No. 2, No. 10 and No. 6.
Kuwatani No. 5, at the lowest point of the stream, was built in 1920 and enlarged between 1955 and 1964 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is 31 metres long and 9.1 metres high, laid as dry stone masonry at a batter of 1 to 1, and is the tallest sabo dam on the upper Jinzu. A sub-dam of mortared masonry stands in front.
Though it has blended into its surroundings, it makes a sliding fall of 4 metres and gives the valley a strong presence (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
At Kuwatani No. 5, look for the 9.1-metre dry-stone wall and the 4-metre sliding fall below it (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The dams are sabo (erosion-control) works owned by Gifu Prefecture, in the valley of the Kuwatani stream at Kuwano, Miyagawacho, Hida (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visits was found. The 5 dams are introduced together on the Kuwatani Sabo Dams page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1920, enlarged between 1955 and 1964.
- How big is it?
- 31 metres long, 9.1 metres high.
- How is it built?
- Of dry stone masonry.
- What stands out?
- It is the tallest on the upper Jinzu.
- When was the Kuwatani No. 5 Sabo Dam registered?
- On March 29, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kuwatani No. 5 Sabo Dam (桑谷第五号砂防堰堤) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kuwano, Miyagawacho, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2019/03/29 (Heisei 31) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Stone dam, 31 m long, 9.1 m high, with sub-dam |
| Owner | Gifu Prefecture |
| Public Access | No official information on visits |
References
- Kuwatani No. 5 Sabo Dam (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012741
- Cultural Properties among Sabo Works (Gifu Prefecture, in Japanese)
- https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/shakai-kiban/kasen/sabo/11653/bunkazai.html
Last verified: 2026.10.31
