A Dry-Stone Dam of 1921 Guarding the Kamioka Mine
The Rokurodani No. 1 Sabo Dam (六郎谷第一号砂防堰堤) is a dry-stone sabo dam at the lowest point of the Rokurodani valley, built to guard the heart of the Kamioka Mine from debris flows 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 43 metres long and 5.5 metres high; registration number 21-0278.
A Dry-Stone Dam Guarding a Mine
Rokurodani No. 1 Sabo Dam, built in 1921, stands in the Rokurodani valley, a side stream of the Takahara River in the Jinzu River system, at Kamioka in Hida City, Gifu (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It forms the lowest part of the sabo works in the valley.
It is 43 metres long and 5.5 metres high, its body raised in dry stone, laid without mortar, at a batter of 1 in 1.6. By guarding the core of the Kamioka Mine downstream from debris flows, it supported the heavy industry of modern Japan (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
At the No. 1 dam, look for the dry-stone body laid at a batter of 1 in 1.6 (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
- When was it built?
- In 1921 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What did it protect?
- The core of the Kamioka Mine.
- How big is it?
- 43 metres long and 5.5 metres high.
- How is it built?
- In dry stone, laid without mortar.
- When was the Rokurodani No. 1 Sabo Dam registered?
- On March 29, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Rokurodani No. 1 Sabo Dam (六郎谷第一号砂防堰堤) |
|---|---|
| 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, 43 m long, 5.5 m high |
| Owner | Gifu Prefecture |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Rokurodani No. 1 Sabo Dam (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012744
- 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
