Overview
Tono Dam is a rockfill dam standing 75 meters high with a crest about 294 meters long, built on the Fukuro River within the Sendai River water system in the city of Tottori. It is a multipurpose dam managed directly by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, serving both flood control and the supply of water to Tottori. Its reservoir carries the poetic name Inaba Man'yo Lake, letting visitors enjoy waterside scenery alongside a touch of ancient romance.
Highlights
- ●A rockfill dam 75 meters high with a crest about 294 meters long
- ●A state-managed multipurpose dam for flood control and Tottori's water supply
- ●Inaba Man'yo Lake, its reservoir named after the poet Otomo no Yakamochi
- ●The solid, imposing scenery created by its piled-rock structure
History
Tono Dam was planned and built as a designated multipurpose dam under Japan's Specified Multipurpose Dam Act, with the goals of flood control for the Sendai River system and water supply for the city of Tottori. Constructed as a rockfill dam, made by piling up rock and stone, it has become long-term infrastructure supporting the region's safety and water use. Its artificial lake was named Inaba Man'yo Lake after the tradition that Otomo no Yakamochi, compiler of the Man'yoshu poetry anthology, composed his final poem in the area corresponding to today's Kokufucho in Tottori.
Access
The dam is located in the city of Tottori (around 35.45°N, 134.34°E), in the upper reaches of the Fukuro River east of the city center. As the route heads into the hills, visiting by car is convenient. Whether the management facilities can be toured, and the condition of nearby roads, may change with the seasons or construction work, so please confirm current details through official sources before visiting.
Best season
The interplay of lake surface and mountains changes throughout the year, but spring to early summer, when fresh greenery shines, and autumn, when foliage is reflected in the water, are especially beautiful. Because the area is set among hills, mornings and evenings can be chilly, so prepare for sudden changes in weather.
Map
35.4492, 134.3422 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Head from central Tottori to Tono Dam on the upper Fukuro River
- 2View the dam body and take in the scale of the structure
- 3Enjoy the waterside and mountain views of Inaba Man'yo Lake
- 4Extend your trip to the Kokufucho area linked to Otomo no Yakamochi
Did you know?
💡 The reservoir's name, Inaba Man'yo Lake, comes from the tradition that the poet Otomo no Yakamochi, who helped pass down the Man'yoshu, composed the last poem of his life in this region. Layering the memory of ancient poetry over a modern structure for flood control and water supply is one of Tono Dam's distinctive charms.
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