About the Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well
The Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well (元宿浄水場接合井) is the reinforced-concrete junction well completed in 1932 at the Motojuku Water Purification Plant in Motojuku-cho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 5, 1997.
It is recorded as reinforced concrete, 3.9 metres in outer diameter (Kiryu City); owned by Kiryu City. Kiryu's water supply began in April 1932, filtering groundwater at Motojuku and pumping it up to the reservoirs on Suidoyama hill (Kiryu City).
Why It Was Registered
The Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes how rare it is for a complete early Showa waterworks, from Motojuku to the high and low reservoirs at Tsutsumi-cho, to survive so well.
What to Look For
The junction well collects raw water flowing from buried collection pipes and doubles as the intake for the low-lift pumps. It is 3.5 metres across inside and 11.1 metres deep (Kiryu City).
A valve gear sits above ground, ringed by a low circular wall rendered in mortar scored to look like stone and capped with stone copings: simple but carefully made (Kiryu City).
Visiting the Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well
According to Kiryu City, the Motojuku Water Purification Plant is normally closed to the public, so visitors cannot enter the site; view the buildings from outside. The address is 14-37 Motojuku-cho, Kiryu City; enquiries go to the Kiryu City Board of Education cultural properties section (0277-46-6467).
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Gunma
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well
- [ Kusatsu Onsen & Tomioka Silk Mill Heritage Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Motojuku Junction Well built?
- In 1932 (Kiryu City).
- What does the Motojuku Junction Well do?
- It collects raw groundwater and feeds the low-lift pumps (Kiryu City).
- How big is the Motojuku Junction Well?
- 3.5 metres across inside and 11.1 metres deep (Kiryu City).
- When was the Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well registered?
- On November 5, 1997.
- Can you visit the Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well?
- The Motojuku plant is normally closed to the public (Kiryu City).
Basic Information
| Name | Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well (元宿浄水場接合井) |
|---|---|
| Location | 14-37 Motojuku-cho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1997/11/5 (Heisei 9) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, 3.9 metres in outer diameter (Kiryu City) |
| Owner | Kiryu City |
| Public Access | Normally closed |
References
- Motojuku Water Purification Plant Junction Well (Kiryu City)
- https://www.city.kiryu.lg.jp/kankou/bunkazai/1010700/kunitouroku/1002016.html
- Kiryu waterworks facilities (12) (Kiryu City)
- https://www.city.kiryu.lg.jp/kankou/bunkazai/1010700/kunitouroku/1002008.html
Last verified: 2026.10.07
