About the Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam
The Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam (正法寺川南沢第六号石堰堤) is a stone erosion-control dam built in 1926 on the Minamisawa ravine of the Shohoji River in Shimo-Oginoto, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2005.
It stands about 50 metres below the Minamisawa No. 5 dam. The Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam is a mortared gravity dam laid in the diagonal Tanizumi pattern, 17 metres along the crest and 3.0 metres high, battered at 3 bu on both faces, with an apron and revetments in front.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency for Cultural Affairs credits the apron and revetments with keeping the banks stable. The apron takes the falling water and the revetments armour the sides, so the stream cannot eat into the banks below the dam.
The same entry notes that the surveys for the Shohoji River works were led by prefectural engineer Kohata Chōmei. Compared with No. 5 upstream, which is battered at 2 bu, this dam lies back more gently at 3 bu. The Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country.
What to Look For
At the Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam, follow the stone surface from the apron at the foot of the wall into the revetments on each bank; it runs on without a break.
Set its profile beside No. 5 upstream: the gentler faces spread the base of the dam wider front to back.
Visiting the Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam
The Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam is an open-air river structure with no admission fee or opening hours. The face of the dam is best seen from the downstream bank; do not walk along the crest or climb down into the stream when the water is up. The Minamisawa No. 5 dam is about 50 metres upstream and No. 7 about 80 metres downstream.
Directions to the valley and safety notes are on the page for the Shohoji River Erosion Control Facilities.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Yamagata
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam
- [ Yamadera Temple & Zao Onsen Hot Springs ]
Q&A
- Where is the Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam?
- It is on the Minamisawa ravine of the Shohoji River in Shimo-Oginoto, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture. It lies about 50 metres below the Minamisawa No. 5 dam.
- When and why was the Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam built?
- It was built in 1926 as part of the second phase of the Shohoji River erosion-control project, which Yamagata Prefecture undertook after the flood of 1913 to stop sediment washing downstream.
- What do the apron and revetments of the Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam do?
- The apron takes the overflow so it cannot scour the bed, and the revetments protect the banks beside it. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that they are effective in keeping the ravine's banks stable.
- Can I see the Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam up close?
- It is an open-air river structure with no admission fee or opening hours, and can be viewed from the bank. The face of the dam is best seen from the downstream bank; do not walk along the crest or climb down into the stream when the water is up.
- When did the Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam become a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered on 10 November 2005 as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure), as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country.
Basic Information
| Name | Shohoji River Minamisawa No. 6 Stone Dam |
|---|---|
| Location | Shimo-Oginoto, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure), registration no. 06-0080 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2005/11/10 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 dam |
| Dimensions | Crest length 17 metres, height 3.0 metres, with bank revetments and an apron |
| Owner | Yamagata Prefecture |
| Public Access | Open-air river structure; no admission fee or set hours |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: 正法寺川南沢第六号石堰堤
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004889
- Yamagata Prefecture: Shohoji River Erosion-Control Facilities, Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (PDF, Japanese)
- https://www.pref.yamagata.jp/documents/4123/syohozigawa.pdf
Last verified: 2026.09.24
