Hakusui Reservoir Weir (Hakusui Dam)

Chosen as a filming location for TV commercials, this spot quickly drew attention and became known nationwide as a remarkable dam.

Unlike the huge structures many picture when they hear “dam,” this is a small stone dam—Approx. 14 meters tall and Approx. 87 meters wide—built in 1938. In 1999, it was recognized as one of Japan’s leading modern agricultural heritage sites and designated a nationally Important Cultural Property. Today, it’s also known as a must-visit “holy site” for dam enthusiasts.

Construction began in 1934. To compensate for the site’s extremely weak ground, a unique method was used: block-shaped stones were set across the dam’s surface, and different designs were adopted on the right and left banks. The result is an elegant curved form, where water cascading down strikes the stone blocks and creates white foam.

The gentle streams, like a white curtain, are simply beautiful, earning it nicknames such as the “Queen of Dams” and the “Lady of the Forest.”