The Urayama Dam is a dam opened in the area where the Urayama River is impounded, and the surrounding area has been developed. This dam is the second highest gravity concrete dam in Japan, standing at 156 meters. To give visitors an overview of the dam, an elevator with a height difference of 132 meters and the Urayama Dam Museum are also available.
The Urayama Dam is one of the tallest dams in Japan. The mountains of Chichibu and the expansive Chichibu Sakura Lake offer a panoramic view of the city of Chichibu. Visitors can tour the inside of the dam for free and enjoy dam curry and other meals at the museum’s cafeteria while gazing at the dam. Access is convenient from Seibu-Chichibu Station and the nearby Chichibu Railway Urayamaguchi Station. Nearby are the Hashidate limestone caves, a natural treasure of Saitama Prefecture, and mountain stream fishing spots.
The Urayama Dam offers a disaster prevention museum and the interior of the dam to the public. It is Japan’s second tallest gravity-fed concrete dam at 156 meters. An elevator with a height difference of 132 meters and the Urayama Dam Museum are also available for visitors to get an overview of the dam. The dam’s lake is named “Chichibu Sakura Lake,” and cherry blossoms bloom beautifully along the lake in spring. The area is also home to many pilgrimage sites for the Chichibu 34 Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) pilgrimage, which attracts many pilgrims. The dam is relatively close to Seibu-Chichibu Station, and a magnificent view of the dam can be seen from National Route 140. Conversely, a panoramic view of Chichibu city can be seen from the top of the dam. There is an entrance at the very bottom of the dam, where you will find exhibits.
The dam was constructed with an embankment height of 156.0m. It is the second tallest gravity-fed concrete dam in Japan after the Okutadami Dam (Tadami River, Agano River system, Power Development Corporation, 157.0 m). It is also the second tallest embankment in the Kanto region after the Naramata Dam (Naramata River, Japan Water Agency, 158.0 m) rock-fill dam, and functions as a multipurpose dam.
The dam lake is named “Chichibu Sakura Lake,” and cherry trees bloom along the lakeside in spring. The dam is also actively opened to the public in accordance with the “dam open to the community” policy of 1994 (Heisei 6), including the interior of the main body, and attracts many tourists. The area is also home to many pilgrimage sites for the 34 sacred Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) temples in Chichibu, so pilgrims are a constant presence. The dam is relatively close to Seibu-Chichibu Station, and the grandeur of the dam can be seen from National Route 140, while a panoramic view of Chichibu city can be seen from the top of the dam. There is an entrance at the bottom of the dam, where materials are displayed. After entering the entrance, visitors can go up to the top of the dam via an elevator. Near the elevator, there is a machine that allows visitors to experience the water pressure of the dam, and anyone can use it freely.
20 minutes on foot from Urayamaguchi Station