Overview
Shikamori Dam stands in Tachikawa-cho, Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, a concrete gravity dam built across the Ashidani River in the Kokuryo River system. Rising about 57.9 meters, it holds back a reservoir named Besshi no Mizuumi (Lake Besshi), a name that echoes the copper-mining heritage that once made Niihama famous. Serving flood control, irrigation and power generation, it blends everyday infrastructure with quiet mountain scenery.
Highlights
- ●The commanding form of a 57.9-meter concrete gravity dam
- ●Lake Besshi, whose name recalls the Besshi copper mine
- ●A multipurpose role of flood control, irrigation and power
- ●Seasonal scenery across the Ashidani gorge and mountains
History
Construction began in 1958 and was completed in 1962. The dam gathers water from a catchment area of about 51.1 square kilometers and can store roughly 1.59 million cubic meters when full. By steadily impounding the Ashidani River, it has curbed flooding downstream while supplying water for farmland and electricity. Backed by the mountains of Besshi, once among the world's leading copper districts, it stands as a symbol of postwar river management and water use.
Access
The dam lies in the hills of Tachikawa-cho, around latitude 33.89 and longitude 133.31, upstream of central Niihama. Heading south along the Kokuryo River from the city center is the simplest route, on the road that continues toward the Minetopia Besshi area linked to the old copper mine. Public transport is limited, so a car or taxi is convenient. As access and viewing conditions may change, please confirm the latest details through official information.
Best season
Late spring to early summer, when fresh greenery glows, and autumn, when the slopes turn red and gold, are especially rewarding. The surrounding foliage reflected on Lake Besshi, together with the gorge below the dam, makes the seasons vivid. During the rainy season and typhoon months, water may be released, offering a powerful, high-volume view.
Map
33.8939, 133.3097 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Set out from central Niihama along the Kokuryo River
- 2Arrive at Shikamori Dam and enjoy the dam and Lake Besshi
- 3Continue toward Minetopia Besshi near the old copper mine
- 4Take in heritage and nature, then return to Niihama
Did you know?
💡 The reservoir's name, Lake Besshi, comes from the Besshi copper mine that supported modern Japan's copper industry. Fittingly chosen in this town of industrial heritage, it lets the history of mining and the history of flood control meet in a single lake.
Nearby spots
Traveler reviews0
No reviews yet. Be the first to share!