A Dam of 1921 Buried by the Sediment It Holds
The Rokurodani No. 2 Sabo Dam (六郎谷第二号砂防堰堤) is a dry-stone dam now mostly buried in sediment, which shows plainly how a sabo dam does its work of 1921 in Kamiokacho Higashimachi, 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 49 metres long and 6.1 metres high; registration number 21-0279.
A Dam Buried in Sediment
Rokurodani No. 2 Sabo Dam, built in 1921, stands 110 metres upstream of the No. 1 dam (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a dry-stone dam 49 metres long, originally 6.1 metres high.
Today most of its body is buried in sediment, and only the top 1 to 2 metres show above the ground. The Agency sees in it a vivid account of how sabo works do their job under harsh natural conditions.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
At the No. 2 dam, look for the top of the body showing above the sediment that buries the rest (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The Rokurodani dams are owned by Gifu Prefecture (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The prefecture's sabo division also lists them as registered properties, but no information on visiting or access was found. Dams No. 1 and No. 2 are introduced together on the Rokurodani Sabo Dams page.
Q&A
- Where is it?
- 110 metres above the No. 1 dam.
- When was it built?
- In 1921 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why does it look low?
- Most of it is buried in sediment.
- How high was it?
- 6.1 metres, and 49 metres long.
- When was the Rokurodani No. 2 Sabo Dam registered?
- On March 29, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Rokurodani No. 2 Sabo Dam (六郎谷第二号砂防堰堤) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kamiokacho Higashimachi, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2019/03/29 (Heisei 31) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Stone dam, 49 m long, 6.1 m high |
| Owner | Gifu Prefecture |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Rokurodani No. 2 Sabo Dam (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012745
- Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Gifu Prefecture Sabo Division, updated April 1, 2026, in Japanese)
- https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/shakai-kiban/kasen/sabo/11653/bunkazai.html
Last verified: 2026.11.07
