A Wartime Modernist Power Station in the Hikimi Valley
The Chugoku Electric Power Sumikawa Power Station Main Building (中国電力株式会社澄川発電所本館) is the main building of a run-of-river hydroelectric station of 1943 in Hikimicho Sumikawa, 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 reinforced concrete building of one storey, partly two, with two basement levels and a building area of 346 square metres; registration number 32-0171.
Generator Hall and Offices Set in Echelon
This is the main building of a run-of-river power station on the Hikimi River system (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Built of reinforced concrete finished in mortar, it sets a tall generator hall to the south, one storey with two basement levels, and two-storey offices to the north in a staggered echelon. Inside and out, its unornamented modernism reflects the austerity of wartime design.
According to Masuda City, it is a working hydroelectric station, the middle one of three on the Hikimi River in the Takatsu River system. Its windows are set singly rather than in horizontal bands in a single expanse of white wall, small canopies project without raised parapets, and the two-tier frame of columns and beams inside is typical of pre-war building.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that its unornamented modernism shows the austere design of wartime, and registered it as a model of design. Masuda City calls it a valuable early example of the latest architectural design reaching the mountains of the Chugoku region.
What to Look For
Look at the staggered generator hall and offices and the scattered windows in the expanse of white wall (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Masuda City).
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 1943 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What kind of station is it?
- A working run-of-river hydroelectric station on the Hikimi River.
- How is it arranged?
- A generator hall and offices set in a staggered echelon.
- What is its style?
- Unornamented modernism reflecting wartime austerity.
- When was the Chugoku Electric Power Sumikawa Power Station Main Building registered?
- On March 26, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Chugoku Electric Power Sumikawa Power Station Main Building (中国電力株式会社澄川発電所本館) |
|---|---|
| Location | I-1097 Hikimicho Sumikawa, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2015/03/26 (Heisei 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, 1 storey partly 2, 2 basements, 346 m² |
| Owner | Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. |
| Public Access | Working power station; no official information on access |
References
- Chugoku Electric Power Sumikawa Power Station Main Building (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010503
- Chugoku Electric Power Sumikawa Power Station Main Building (Masuda City)
- https://www.city.masuda.lg.jp/material/files/group/48/sumikawahatuden-tourokusyokai.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.23