Overview
Sugano Dam is an 87-meter-high multipurpose dam built on the upper reaches of the Nishiki River in Nakasu-kita, Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Second in scale only to the Abu River Dam within the prefecture, it quietly underpins daily life in the Shunan region by supplying industrial and drinking water while helping control floods downstream. Its broad concrete wall and the reservoir spreading through the surrounding hills form a calm, inland waterscape distinct to this part of Yamaguchi.
Highlights
- ●An imposing 87-meter dam wall, among the largest in the prefecture
- ●A reservoir carrying the story of the submerged village of Sugano
- ●A calm lake spreading quietly through green mountain valleys
- ●A multipurpose role uniting industrial water, drinking water and flood control
History
On the Nishiki River system, the older Kodo Dam of 1940 had long served industrial water needs, but the rapid postwar surge in industry pushed demand far higher and made securing drinking water a pressing concern. Sugano Dam was planned as part of the Nishiki River Comprehensive Development Project and completed in 1965. Construction required 328 hectares of land and the relocation of 163 households. The former village of Sugano was submerged beneath the reservoir, and its name lives on in the dam itself.
Access
The dam sits in mountainous inland terrain near 34.14 degrees north and 131.90 degrees east, in Nakasu-kita, Shunan City. The usual approach is to drive upstream along the Nishiki River from central Shunan. Public transport here is limited, so a private car is the practical choice; check current road conditions and whether visits are permitted through official sources before setting out.
Best season
Early summer, when fresh greenery glows, and autumn, when the hillsides turn color, are the finest times to visit. The surrounding greens and reds reflect on the water and enhance the quiet lakeside scenery. During the rainy and typhoon seasons, releases or high water may restrict access, so choose a day of settled weather.
Map
34.1411, 131.9040 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Set off from central Shunan and drive upstream along the Nishiki River
- 2Reach Sugano Dam and take in the scale of the wall and reservoir
- 3Photograph the surrounding ridgelines mirrored on the water
- 4End the day with a hot spring or local cuisine back in Shunan
Did you know?
💡 Because Sugano Dam lies at the lowest point of the Nishiki River among its dams, its flood-control role has grown in importance in recent years. After the heavy rain of Typhoon Nabi in 2005 caused flooding in parts of downstream Iwakuni, its operation was revised to secure emergency flood-control capacity through preliminary water release. Further downstream, the Hirase Dam, dedicated mainly to flood control, is also under construction.
Nearby spots
Traveler reviews0
No reviews yet. Be the first to share!