A Chapel-Like Hydro Station of 1928
The Chugoku Electric Power Hikimi Power Station Main Building (中国電力株式会社匹見発電所本館) is the main building of a run-of-river hydroelectric station of 1928 in Hikimicho Hikimi, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 26, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a concrete-block building of one storey, partly two, with a sheet-metal roof and a building area of 199 square metres; registration number 32-0172.
A Main Building of Large Concrete Blocks
This is the main building of a run-of-river power station on the Hikimi River system (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Built of large stacked concrete blocks, it has a tall single-storey generator hall and two-storey offices. Its front is lined with pilasters, with square openings in two tiers and niches with segmental arches above.
According to Masuda City, it is the uppermost of three working hydroelectric stations on the Hikimi River in the Takatsu River system, first owned by the Hikimigawa Hydroelectric Industry company. Its Western-style front recalls a small chapel, and the penstock behind it shows it to be a power station.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes it as an elegant building with Western-style details throughout, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the pilasters and the segmental-arched niches above the two tiers of square openings (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is a working power station owned by Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Masuda City). No official information on public access was found.
Q&A
- When was the building built?
- In 1928 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is it built of?
- Large stacked concrete blocks.
- What marks its front?
- Pilasters and segmental-arched niches in a Western style.
- Where does it sit on the river?
- It is the uppermost of three stations (Masuda City).
- When was the Chugoku Electric Power Hikimi Power Station Main Building registered?
- On March 26, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Chugoku Electric Power Hikimi Power Station Main Building (中国電力株式会社匹見発電所本館) |
|---|---|
| Location | I-1702-3 Hikimicho Hikimi, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2015/03/26 (Heisei 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Concrete block, 1 storey partly 2, sheet-metal roof, 199 m² |
| Owner | Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. |
| Public Access | Working power station; no official information on access |
References
- Chugoku Electric Power Hikimi Power Station Main Building (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010504
- Chugoku Electric Power Hikimi Power Station Main Building (Masuda City)
- https://www.city.masuda.lg.jp/material/files/group/48/hikimihatuden-tourokusyokai.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.23