Oi Dam
Japan's first power-generating dam, a historical marvel with impressive engineering and retro architecture.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Pleasant temperatures for walking
Oi Dam
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures for walking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Japan's first power-generating dam, a historical marvel with impressive engineering and retro architecture.
"A valuable historical heritage that is still in active use and impressive to see."
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
The promenade can involve inclines and uneven paths. Good walking shoes are a must for exploring!
🚗 Strategic Parking
Park at the 'Kansai Electric Power Parking Lot' below the dam to avoid a steep uphill walk back.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Embankment with 21 Radial Gates
Oi Dam Embankment
Witness the impressive scale of Japan's first power-generating dam, a true feat of civil engineering.
Retro Power Stations
Oi and Shin-Oi Power Stations
Admire the antique-like buildings of the Oi and Shin-Oi power stations, showcasing Taisho-era architecture.
Dam Promenade Views
Promenade around Oi Dam
Enjoy spectacular views of the dam's deep waters and the Ena Gorge from the accessible promenade.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating Oi Dam's Terrain
Historical Significance & Views
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
The promenade can involve inclines and uneven paths. Good walking shoes are a must for exploring!
🚗 Strategic Parking
Park at the 'Kansai Electric Power Parking Lot' below the dam to avoid a steep uphill walk back.
📸 Capture the Retro Charm
Don't miss the antique-like power stations; they offer a unique photographic opportunity.
🚶♀️ Explore Beyond the Dam
The walkway may extend towards the dam lake (Ena Gorge). Consider exploring if time and weather permit.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
The promenade can involve inclines and uneven paths. Good walking shoes are a must for exploring!
🚗 Strategic Parking
Park at the 'Kansai Electric Power Parking Lot' below the dam to avoid a steep uphill walk back.
📸 Capture the Retro Charm
Don't miss the antique-like power stations; they offer a unique photographic opportunity.
🚶♀️ Explore Beyond the Dam
The walkway may extend towards the dam lake (Ena Gorge). Consider exploring if time and weather permit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Oi Dam for its impressive historical significance as Japan's first power-generating dam and its well-preserved Taisho-era architecture. The scenic promenade and the striking embankment with its radial gates are frequently highlighted as enjoyable features. Some note the walking can be a bit strenuous with elevation changes, and parking logistics are important to consider for a comfortable visit.
"March, 2021. Oi Dam is a 15 min walk from the pier for the the boat ride. It's a nice walk in the forest , but it's a dirt road. You can even walk over the dam to the other side, and enjoy the beautiful view."
Ana Today
"A great historical dam and access is barely restricted. You can walk along the top of the dam, which gives a great view of the dams deep waters. Only places which would be dangerous are kept off limits."
Hiking Gifu
""Modern Industrial Heritage"
"Civil Engineering Heritage Recommended by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers"
As expected, this dam is impressive and well worth seeing. The dam embankment with its 21 radial gates is particularly impressive. The Oi and Shin-Oi power stations on the right bank of the dam are also huge and spectacular.
There is a promenade around the dam, so you can walk around and see the sights. The dam promenade is a little hard due to the distance and elevation difference, but if you think of it as a short hike, you can enjoy the walk.
Oi Dam is the first dam built in the Kiso River system for dam-type hydroelectric power generation by Momosuke Fukuzawa (adopted son of Yukichi Fukuzawa), who was known as the power king.
Both the dam and the power station are antique-like buildings completed in the Taisho era. Indeed, even to the untrained eye, they have a certain retro feel.
This dam has a narrow walkway on the embankment, which you can walk across. As mentioned above, walking along the embankment with its 21 radial gates is quite an impressive experience.
However, the walkway is naturally surrounded by iron fences and wire mesh for safety.
However, even through the wire mesh, the view is spectacular.
Upstream of the dam
"Dam Lake" (Ena Gorge in the background)
Downstream of the dam
"Shinonome Bridge & Shinonome Ohashi Bridge"
Both have wonderful views.
By the way, this walkway seems to continue further from the dam embankment. This time, I gave up exploring further because of the intense heat, but it may be possible to walk to the dam lake, that is, Ena Gorge.
There is also a walkway below the dam, and you can go completely below the dam after passing by the power plant. Below the dam is a parking lot called "Kansai Electric Power Parking Lot", and from Shinonome Bridge on the prefectural road beyond, you can see the impressive views of Oi Dam upstream and Shinonome Ohashi Bridge downstream.
Now, considering that you will return to the parking lot from here, it is best to leave your car at the "Kansai Electric Power Parking Lot"
under the dam.
If you park your car at the "Oi Dam Visitor Parking Lot" above the dam, you'll have to walk up a steep hill from here. I've experienced it myself, and it's tough.
In any case, Oi Dam is a valuable historical heritage that is still in active use. It was my first visit, but I'm glad I did.
I think it's an interesting and tasteful spot for dam lovers, and even for those who aren't.
This area is so famous for Ena Gorge that Oi Dam doesn't have much of a presence, but that's a shame.
Why not visit Oi Dam while you're sightseeing at Ena Gorge?
Just for your reference."
小人閑居為不善
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Oi Dam is approximately a 15-minute walk from the pier for boat rides. If driving, consider parking at the 'Kansai Electric Power Parking Lot' below the dam to avoid steep inclines.
Information on direct public transport to Oi Dam is limited. It's often accessed as part of a visit to Ena Gorge, which may have bus services. Research local bus routes from nearby train stations.
Many visitors combine an Oi Dam visit with Ena Gorge. A walk from the pier for the boat ride is common, offering a scenic forest path.
Yes, there are parking lots. The 'Kansai Electric Power Parking Lot' below the dam is recommended to avoid a strenuous uphill walk back.
The walk is described as a nice walk in the forest on a dirt road, about 15 minutes. It can be a little hard due to distance and elevation changes, but manageable if considered a short hike.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Access to Oi Dam and its promenade is generally unrestricted, making it a free attraction.
As an active infrastructure, Oi Dam doesn't have traditional opening hours. However, visitor access to the promenade and surrounding areas is typically available during daylight hours.
No, there is no entrance fee to visit Oi Dam. You can freely walk along the embankment and explore the accessible areas.
While much of the dam is accessible, certain areas are kept off-limits for safety reasons.
Yes, you can walk along the top of the dam embankment, which offers impressive views of the dam's waters. Safety fences and wire mesh are in place.
📸 📸 Photography
Key photo spots include the embankment with its 21 radial gates, the retro-style power stations, and panoramic views from the promenade.
Yes, photography is generally allowed. However, be mindful of safety fences and wire mesh when capturing shots from the embankment.
The antique-like buildings of the Oi and Shin-Oi power stations are a highlight and offer great photographic opportunities, showcasing their retro feel.
Morning or late afternoon light can be ideal for capturing the dam and its surroundings without harsh shadows. Consider the weather for dramatic shots of the water.
Try capturing the full sweep of the embankment with its gates, or frame the power stations against the natural landscape. Views from below the dam also offer unique perspectives.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can walk along the dam embankment, admire the historical power stations, and enjoy the scenic views of the dam lake and surrounding gorge.
Yes, the promenade around the dam can be considered a short hike, offering a good way to experience the area.
Oi Dam is Japan's first power-generating dam, completed in 1924, and a significant piece of modern industrial heritage.
You can walk along the narrow walkway on the embankment, which is surrounded by safety fences.
From the top, you get a great view of the dam's deep waters and the Ena Gorge in the background.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider packing snacks and water, as amenities might be limited. The strategic parking recommendation below the dam is particularly helpful for families to avoid a tiring uphill trek back to the car. It's a good opportunity to discuss engineering and history in a real-world setting, making it an educational and enjoyable experience.
🚶♂️ History Buffs & Engineering Enthusiasts
The 21 radial gates on the embankment are a key visual highlight, showcasing the dam's functional design. The dam's recognition as "Modern Industrial Heritage" underscores its importance. Walking the promenade offers a tangible connection to this historical site, allowing you to appreciate its scale and enduring legacy.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Legacy of Engineering: The History of Oi Dam
The dam is not just an engineering marvel but also a historical landmark. It's recognized as "Modern Industrial Heritage" and "Civil Engineering Heritage" by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers. The dam embankment, featuring 21 radial gates, is particularly impressive. Alongside the dam, the Oi and Shin-Oi power stations on the right bank are also significant, completed in 1924 and 1983 respectively. These power stations, with their antique-like buildings, exude a distinct retro feel characteristic of the Taisho era, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century industrial architecture.
Today, Oi Dam continues to be an active facility, generating a substantial 84,000 kilowatts of electricity through its two power plants. Advanced computerized automatic output control devices ensure safety downstream. Visitors can walk along the promenade around the dam, offering spectacular views of the dam lake, often referred to as Ena Gorge. While some areas are restricted for safety, the accessible parts provide a profound appreciation for this historical and functional structure.
Exploring Oi Dam: Walking Routes and Views
One of the most striking features is the walkway on the embankment, which allows you to traverse the dam itself. Here, you'll be met with the impressive sight of the 21 radial gates. For safety, this walkway is enclosed by iron fences and wire mesh, but the views through them remain spectacular. Beyond the main embankment, the walkway may continue further, potentially leading towards the dam lake, offering opportunities for extended exploration, weather and time permitting.
For those interested in different perspectives, a walkway below the dam is also available. This path takes you past the power plant and offers a unique view from beneath the massive structure. Parking is a key consideration for planning your exploration. It's highly recommended to leave your car at the 'Kansai Electric Power Parking Lot' located under the dam. Parking above the dam at the 'Oi Dam Visitor Parking Lot' means facing a steep uphill walk back, which can be quite strenuous.
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