A 1937 Irrigation Dam
The Maze Dam (間瀬堰堤, Maze entei) is a concrete gravity dam built for irrigation on the Maze River at Kodaira, Kodama-machi, Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture, completed in 1937 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 18, 2000 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a concrete gravity dam 126 metres long and 28 metres high, with an intake tower and protective embankments, registration number 11-0026, owned by a local irrigation land improvement district (美児沢用水土地改良区).
Why It Was Registered
The Maze Dam was registered as a structure contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as the central work of the Kodama irrigation canal, built between 1919 and 1938.
The Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office calls it the oldest surviving irrigation gravity dam in eastern Japan, giving its height as 27.5 metres and its length as 126 metres.
What to Look For
Beside the dam stands the intake tower, topped by a two-storey wooden house (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A timber hut perched on a concrete tower is the dam's most recognisable feature.
A spillway channel runs through the dam body, the spillway chute overflows at the centre, and the crest parapet is concrete moulded to look like wood (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The designer was Takahori Ikuzo.
Visiting
The Maze Dam is a working irrigation dam, and no opening of its interior has been announced. Follow the signs on site when walking on or around the dam.
The location is Kodaira, Kodama-machi, Honjo City. Its history and the management bridge below it are covered on the group page Maze Dam.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Saitama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Maze Dam
- [ Kawagoe Little Edo & Moominvalley Park ]
Q&A
- When was the Maze Dam built?
- In 1937, according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Saitama Prefecture describes it as built over eight years from 1930.
- How big is the Maze Dam?
- 126 metres long and 28 metres high according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs; the Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office gives the height as 27.5 metres.
- Why was the Maze Dam built?
- To store water for the Kodama irrigation canal; the reservoir it created is Lake Maze (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office).
- Who designed the Maze Dam?
- Takahori Ikuzo (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Maze Dam registered?
- On October 18, 2000, together with the management bridge below it.
Basic Information
| Name | Maze Dam (間瀬堰堤) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kodaira, Kodama-machi, Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2000/10/18 (Heisei 12) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Concrete gravity dam, 126 metres long, 28 metres high, with intake tower and embankments |
| Owner | Irrigation land improvement district (美児沢用水土地改良区) |
| Public Access | Working irrigation dam (no interior opening announced) |
References
- Maze Dam (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00001902
- Local highlights (Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office, Japanese)
- https://www.maff.go.jp/kanto/nouson/sekkei/kokuei/kanna/chiiki/02.html
- Maze Dam in cherry-blossom season (Saitama Prefecture, Japanese)
- https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/b0111/tiikimeguri/kodamasatoyamagenkitaivol3.html
Last verified: 2026.10.14
