Overview
Serikawa Dam is a 52.2-meter-tall gravity concrete dam built on the Serikawa River, part of the Oita River system, straddling the cities of Taketa and Oita in Oita Prefecture. Managed by the prefecture, it was constructed for flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power downstream. The reservoir it forms is known simply as the Serikawa Reservoir, spreading a quiet expanse of water among the mountains. It is not a heavily developed tourist site, but the calm view of the dam wall and its lake makes a worthwhile stop on a mountain drive.
Highlights
- ●The commanding wall of a 52.2-meter gravity concrete dam
- ●The Serikawa Reservoir spreading quietly among the mountains
- ●Its role as a multipurpose dam for flood control, irrigation, and power
- ●Its historic standing as Oita's first subsidized multipurpose dam
History
Construction of Serikawa Dam began in 1952 and was completed during the 1950s. Built with national subsidy, it was the first subsidized multipurpose dam in Oita Prefecture, and until the completion of Nanase Dam (formerly Oita River Dam) on the Nanase River, it was the largest and only multipurpose dam in the Oita River system. It has long served as a cornerstone of local infrastructure for flood control, irrigation, and power. It is also reported that around 2009 power generation was temporarily halted due to low water and reduced output.
Access
The dam lies inland in Oita Prefecture, in the mountains near the boundary between Taketa and Oita cities, at roughly 33.14 degrees north and 131.44 degrees east. Public transport is limited, so driving from central Oita or the Taketa area is the practical option. As the route includes mountain roads, please check road conditions and whether visits are permitted through official sources beforehand.
Best season
The fresh greenery of spring and early summer, and the colored slopes of autumn, show the reservoir at its most beautiful. Summer brings mountain coolness, while winter offers clear air that sharpens the outline of the dam wall. The surface of the water changes with the hour, so viewing it in the morning light is a fine choice.
Map
33.1397, 131.4411 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Drive the mountain roads from central Oita or the Taketa area
- 2Take in the scale and structure of the dam around its wall
- 3Enjoy the calm water of the Serikawa Reservoir and the surrounding hills
- 4Continue to nearby roadside stations or sights in Taketa and central Oita
Did you know?
💡 The artificial lake formed by Serikawa Dam, the Serikawa Reservoir, has no special nickname and is simply called by its place name. The dam is a plain, practical water facility, yet it holds a milestone status as the first subsidized multipurpose dam in Oita Prefecture, and it has long supported the region's water supply.
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