Nagai Dam

[Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture] Enjoy summer at the dam lake! Nagai Dam Lake in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture is full of charm

  • ikoke
  • Last updated: 2023.09.25

There are two dams in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture. They play important roles, such as providing electricity (power plants) that are essential to citizens' lives and regulating floods caused by heavy rain.

The dam lake is a treasure trove of nature, and visitors can enjoy collecting wild vegetables and fishing nearby.

Nagai City is famous as a water town, and we would like to introduce you to its parent ``Nagai Dam Hyakuko'' and the ``Kijiyama Dam'' located upstream of it.

Peace of mind with a guide! Feel the nature of “Long Lake Hyakushu (Nagai Dam)”

Nagai Dam
Nagai Dam

In Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, there is Tsuno Dam Lake upstream of the Nogawa River, a tributary of the Mogami River.

One of these is Lake Nagai Hyakushu (Nagai Dam) near the Mibuchi Valley, which is a popular spot where you can enjoy summer leisure activities such as amphibious buses, boats, and canoes.

It is a relatively new dam lake, completed in 2011, and is one of the largest dams in Tohoku.

Nagai Dam was built to submerge the Sugano Dam on the Okitama River and to increase its water storage capacity. The lake created by the Nagai Dam is "Lake Nagai Hyakushu."

It is said that people from both inside and outside the prefecture constantly visit this place on holidays, as it offers spectacular views throughout the seasons and water leisure activities.

Water-bus

This extremely rare amphibious vehicle is also popular with tourists. When a bus that has been running on land suddenly enters the lake, making a splash, you can hear the cheers.

INFORMATION

  • Name: Roadside Station Kawa no Minato Nagai
  • Address: 2-50 Higashimachi, Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Business Hours: 9:00-17:30 Closed: Open all year round Prices will be paid in cash on the day.
  • Fee
    • Adult: 3,500 yen
    • Child: 2,000 yen (3 years old to elementary school student)
    • 2 years old and under: Free (no seats) *June weekday discount available
  • Parking lot: Please use the parking lot at the roadside station Kawa no Minato Nagai.
  • Website: Amphibious Bus ㏌ Long Hyakushu Lake 2023
  • Event period: June 9, 2023 ~ August 6, 2023
  • Phone number: 0238-88-1831

GOOGLE MAP

Water bike experience

The water bicycle that can be experienced at Lake Hyakushu is said to be popular. You can paddle your own water bicycle around the majestic lake and enjoy it with peace of mind, as an instructor will be with you.

You may sweat a little while pedaling your bicycle, but the cool breeze blowing across the surface of the lake will give you a sense of comfort.

When you spend time in nature, your daily fatigue will disappear in an instant.

You can also enjoy canoeing by bringing your own!

There is also a canoe experience, which is an essential part of water leisure, and as you slowly move along the calm surface of the water, unlike a river, you will forget about the passing of time and feel relaxed.

Mibuchi Valley, a popular power spot, is mysterious

If you go upstream from Lake Hyakushu, you will find Mibuchi Valley, a valley with cliffs over 50 meters high that extend for over 200 meters.It is a mysterious valley that can only be accessed by boat.

It is also a very popular area as a power spot.

Boat tours are also available for a limited time, and reservations are required, but reservations are said to be difficult to get.

INFORMATION

  • Name: Nogawa Manabikan Nature Experience Base
  • Address: 2743-4 Hirayama, Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Business hours and reception hours: 8:30-17:15
    ◎ Numbered tickets will be distributed at [Nogawa Manabi-kan] 30 minutes before departure. As a measure to prevent the spread of infection, boats will be operated on a ``private basis'' in groups of ``family members'' or ``friends/acquaintances'' to avoid contact with unspecified people.
  • Price: 12,000 yen for up to 6 people, 20,000 yen for up to 10 people　
  • Reception method: Nagai Hyakushu Lake Boat Touring official website (Notes/Reservations given priority)
    [For details on how to board, please check the "Boarding Procedures" on the website]
  • Please note: If you are more than 10 minutes late for the numbered ticket distribution time, we may not be able to guide you. (Please be punctual)
  • Event period: May to mid-November
  • Phone number: 0238-87-0605

GOOGLE MAP

Kijiyama Dam (Nogawa Valley) located upstream is also a noteworthy spot!

This is a prefectural dam built in the upper reaches of the main stream of the Okitama River for the purpose of flood control, power generation, and agricultural water, and was completed in 1963. Although it is small, with a dam height of 46m and a length of 168.2m, it is a rare hollow gravity concrete dam, and there are only two such dams in the prefecture, the Zao Dam.

It is very popular among dam enthusiasts, and is known for distributing ``dam cards'' only on weekdays.

The dam lake, filled with refreshing water, offers a spectacular view of Mt. Shukube, known as the Matterhorn of Tohoku, and the lake water is channeled to Nogawa No. 2 Power Plant for power generation.

The beauty of each season is overwhelming

The beauty of the autumn leaves around the dam lake is breathtaking. It is also known for its beautiful primeval beech forest, with many unplanted trees such as cedar and other miscellaneous trees in their natural state.

Of course, the autumn leaves are beautiful, but the fresh green leaves are also a sight to behold.

Furthermore, the mountains surrounding the dam lake, which have not been touched by humans, are also a treasure trove of wild plants, and are said to be crowded with many foragers from late May to June.

It is also known as a very popular area for mountain stream fishing.

INFORMATION

GOOGLE MAP

summary

There are dam lakes all over Japan, but it is probably one of the few cities that has two dams in one city.

The dam lake in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture is located upstream of the Nogawa River, and includes the Kijiyama Dam, which can be seen against the backdrop of the mountain known as the Matterhorn in Tohoku (Shukubeyama), and the Nagai Dam, which is located a little downstream.

This dam lake of "Nagai Dam" is called "Long Lake Hyakushu" and is popular as a lake where you can enjoy summer leisure.

Furthermore, there is the Mibuchi Valley, which is a tributary of the Nogawa River and is attracting attention as a power spot, with its mysterious scenery, and there are many things to see.

Isn't it a good idea to go there in the summer to cool off?

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