Overview
Hayakuchi Dam is a gravity dam built on the Hayakuchi River, part of the Yoneshiro River system, within the Hayakuchizawa national forest in Odate City, Akita Prefecture. Standing 61 meters high with a crest 178 meters long, it serves the twin roles of flood control and power generation. Construction began in 1969 and was completed in 1976. The reservoir created by damming this tributary of the Yoneshiro River lends a quiet, mountainous character to the landscape, offering visitors a deep, secluded scene where the dam and nature come together.
Highlights
- ●A gravity dam 61 meters high with a crest 178 meters long
- ●A working structure that serves both flood control and power generation
- ●A reservoir landscape fed by a catchment of about 48.5 square kilometers
- ●The mountain stillness, wrapped in the nature of the Hayakuchizawa national forest
History
Work on Hayakuchi Dam began in 1969 and was completed in 1976. Built on the Hayakuchi River of the Yoneshiro River system, it rises 61 meters high with a crest 178 meters long. Its catchment area extends over about 48.5 square kilometers, and when full it floods roughly 33 hectares of land and can store around 6.55 million cubic meters of water. It was constructed to fulfill two roles that support daily life: flood control and power production.
Access
The dam stands in the Hayakuchizawa national forest of Odate City, at roughly 40.40 degrees north and 140.35 degrees east. It lies in the mountains along the Hayakuchi River, a tributary of the Yoneshiro. Being inside a national forest, its surroundings are rich in nature, but because road conditions and whether visits are permitted can change, please confirm the current details with official information from Odate City or the dam's operator before going.
Best season
The time best suited to enjoying the waterside scenery runs from early summer, when the mountain greenery deepens, to autumn, when the surrounding trees take on color. The contrast between the reservoir and the mountains shifts its expression with each season. Winter brings deep snow to this region, so be sure to check road and weather conditions thoroughly before visiting.
Map
40.4047, 140.3544 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Follow the Hayakuchi River of the Yoneshiro system toward the Hayakuchizawa national forest in Odate City
- 2Take in the 61-meter dam embankment and the reservoir it holds back
- 3Reflect on the dam's roles of flood control and power generation
- 4Spend time in the mountains, soaking in the nature of the surrounding national forest
Did you know?
💡 The Hayakuchi River that this dam holds back belongs to the Yoneshiro River system, which flows through northern Akita. The water gathered behind its 61-meter-high embankment protects downstream communities from flooding while also generating electricity. As a single dam serving both flood control and power, it is an indispensable part of local life.
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