Honenike Embankment

The Kunita River flows through the Asan Mountains on the border of Tokushima and Kagawa prefectures. Upstream stands Honenike Embankment, a concrete irrigation reservoir dam with a crest length of 145.5 m and a height of 30.4 m. It is one of Japan’s earliest concrete dams built in the multiple-arch style, with a central section made up of five arches and six buttresses.

Construction began in 1926, and this historic embankment was completed in November 1929. It was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2006. Exposed to the elements over many years, it has an imposing appearance that recalls a medieval European castle and continues to captivate visitors.

With a storage capacity of 1,593,000 tons, it serves as a vital water source for Approx. 500 ha of farmland. The scenery is beautiful in every season, but the highlight is the water release known as “Yurunuki,” carried out when the water level in Iseki Pond drops to under 30% as a guideline. The sight of Approx. 4 tons of water being discharged per second with a roaring sound is spectacular, and it is known as a summertime tradition.