Japan's Tallest Dam of Its Day
The Tsukabaru Dam (塚原ダム) is a concrete gravity dam for hydroelectric power of 1938 in Misato Town and Morotsuka Village, Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 2, 2004 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a concrete gravity dam 215 metres long and 87 metres high; registration number 45-0025.
Eight Gates and Turrets
The Tsukabaru Dam was built on the middle reaches of a river in northern Miyazaki to generate hydroelectric power (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Eight radial gates are set in the centre of the dam, and small battlemented turrets stand on its crest.
Bringing together the latest concrete technology of the early Showa era, it reached a height of 87 metres, then the greatest in Japan (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that it brought together the latest concrete technology of its day to reach a record height for Japan, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the eight radial gates at the centre and the battlemented turrets on the crest (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Kyushu Electric Power (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was the Tsukabaru Dam completed?
- In 1938 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the name read?
- Tsukabaru.
- How large is it?
- 215 metres long and 87 metres high, then the tallest in Japan.
- Where is it?
- Between Misato Town and Morotsuka Village in northern Miyazaki.
- When was the Tsukabaru Dam registered?
- On March 2, 2004 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Tsukabaru Dam (塚原ダム) |
|---|---|
| Location | Saigo Yamasanga, Misato Town, and Nanatsuyama, Morotsuka Village, Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2004/03/02 (Heisei 16) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Concrete gravity dam, 215 m long, 87 m high |
| Owner | Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Tsukabaru Dam (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00004091
Last verified: 2026.10.19