Ueno's First Waterworks
The Ueno City Waterworks Water Source Pump House (上野市上水道水源地送水機関室) is a single-storey reinforced-concrete pumping building at Oda-cho, Iga City, Mie Prefecture, built in 1936 when the former Ueno City first laid a modern water supply, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 20, 1996 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Iga City).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as single-storey reinforced concrete with a corrugated-iron roof and a building area of 81 square metres. Its registration number, 24-0001, marks it as the first registered building in Mie Prefecture; it is owned by Iga City.
When Modern Water Came to Ueno
According to Iga City, the building dates from the first laying of piped water in Ueno in 1936 and served for many years as the pumping room. A cylindrical well for drawing water is joined to the rear, and the station sent water from the source to the town (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Iga City).
Value as a Registered Cultural Property
The Ueno City Waterworks Water Source Pump House was registered as a structure contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes its design as simple and free of any fixed style.
What to Look For
The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes stone-faced lower walls that read as a plinth, an entrance porch with a balcony, and window frames with semicircular heads.
Iga City points out that although it has only one storey, the balcony over the entrance and other details make it look like a two-storey building.
Visiting
The Ueno City Waterworks Water Source Pump House is a waterworks building owned by Iga City, at 646 Sawanotani, Oda-cho, Iga City. No public opening information has been confirmed, so contact Iga City before planning a visit.
Q&A
- When was the pump house built?
- In 1936, when Ueno first laid a modern water supply (Iga City).
- What did it do?
- It housed the pumping equipment that sent water from the source, with a cylindrical well joined to the rear (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What are its main features?
- Stone-faced lower walls, a porch with a balcony and arched window heads, making a one-storey building look two-storeyed (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Iga City).
- Was it the first registered building in Mie?
- Yes, its registration number is 24-0001 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Ueno City Waterworks Water Source Pump House registered?
- On December 20, 1996.
Basic Information
| Name | Ueno City Waterworks Water Source Pump House (上野市上水道水源地送水機関室) |
|---|---|
| Location | 646 Sawanotani, Oda-cho, Iga City, Mie Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1996/12/20 (Heisei 8) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, single storey, corrugated-iron roof, building area 81 square metres |
| Owner | Iga City |
| Public Access | No public opening information |
References
- Ueno City Waterworks Water Source Pump House (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000052
- Designated and Registered Cultural Properties (Iga City)
- https://www.city.iga.lg.jp/0000003870.html
- List of Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Iga City, PDF)
- https://www.city.iga.lg.jp/cmsfiles/contents/0000003/3870/kunitouroku.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.11