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The History of Miharu Dam and Its Surrounding Spots [Miharu Town, Tamura District, Fukushima Prefecture]

Miharu Town in Tamura District, Fukushima Prefecture, is famous for its "Miharu Takizakura" cherry tree. Another spot worth checking out is the "Miharu Dam." The Miharu Dam was completed in 1998 with the aim of mitigating flood damage in the Otakine River and Abukuma River basins and ensuring a stable supply of water for agriculture, industry, and daily life. A wide variety of plants and animals form an ecosystem around the water's edge, creating a rich landscape that changes with the seasons.

This time, I would like to talk about the history, characteristics, and surrounding spots of Miharu Dam and share its charms with you


Miharu Dam supports the lives of the surrounding area

Miharu Dam

Miharu Dam is a multi-purpose dam located in Miharu Town, Tamura District, Fukushima Prefecture. From the start of preliminary dam surveys in 1968 to its completion in 1998, it took a remarkably long 30 years. Its nickname is "LakeSakura

The main role of Miharu Dam is to regulate the water volume of the Otakine River. The Otakine River originates from Mt. Otakine in Ogoe Town, Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture, and flows into the Abukuma River in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. The Otakine River and Abukuma River are rivers with abundant water, and flood control measures have long been necessary in their basins. Miharu Dam has regulated floods 35 times in the 20 years since it began operation, contributing to the reduction of flood damage in the downstream area. Another major role of the dam is to prevent driftwood from flowing downstream. Miharu Dam collects driftwood equivalent to 2,070 logs each year, working to reduce disaster damage downstream

Miharu Dam

Miharu Dam not only serves to hold back water, but also to supply it. The amount of water that Miharu Dam supplies for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use is 12 million cubic meters per year. This covers the water needs of 85% of the population of Miharu Town, 59% of the population of Tamura City, and 16% of the population of Koriyama City. Miharu Dam is indispensable for the safe and comfortable lives and smooth industrial development of the surrounding areas

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The natural environment is also attractive

Miharu Dam

The Miharu Dam, which boasts abundant water resources, is surrounded by a rich natural environment that changes its appearance with the seasons. There are several bridges within the dam, including the distinctive Haruta Bridge, and there are plenty of photo spots. In autumn, the surrounding mountains take on a colorful appearance, and the gently swaying water reflects the color of the sky, creating a picturesque sight

Miharu Dam is also making efforts to preserve the surrounding natural environment. Surveys conducted up until 2016 have confirmed the following number of plants and animals living around the dam:

  • 24 species of mammals
  • 122 species of birds
  • 11 species of reptiles
  • 10 species of amphibians
  • 29 species of fish
  • 2794 species of terrestrial insects, etc
  • Benthic animals 319 species
  • 1015 plants

The natural environment around Miharu Dam is the cradle of many lives. In order to protect this environment and pass it on to future generations, Miharu Dam holds nature classes and natural environment forums, and is working to communicate its importance to people both in and outside the local area


Also check out the nearby spots of Miharu Dam!

We will introduce some nearby spots that you may want to visit along with Miharu Dam. Please use this as a reference when planning your travel route

Miharu Dam Museum

Miharu Dam

This museum is free to enter and displays various data about the origins of Miharu Dam. There are several observation decks near the museum that offer a panoramic view of Miharu Dam. There are also large windows inside the facility, so it's recommended to view the dam from inside the museum on days when the weather isn't great. There is also a cafe space inside the facility where you can enjoy coffee and light meals

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Miharu no Sato Rural Living Center

Miharu Dam

located in the western area of ​​Miharu DamMiharu no Sato Rural Life Center, is another hidden gem. The grounds include a direct sales market for agricultural products, a restaurant, a traditional farmhouse teahouse, a Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) restaurant, a bathing facility (with a sauna), a dog run, a ground golf course, and accommodation facilities. At the traditional farmhouse teahouse, you can enjoy comforting local cuisine from Miharu town, such as mochi (rice cakes), kenchin udon (vegetable udon noodles), and Miharu's triangular fried tofu.

A good course would be to take a stroll around Miharu Dam, then visit the Rural Living Center, take a relaxing bath, have a delicious lunch, and buy some fresh, locally grown vegetables as souvenirs

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Not only cherry blossoms, but also a dam! Check out the charms of Miharu Town

In this article, we introduced Miharu Dam, located in Miharu Town, Tamura District, Fukushima Prefecture

Miharu Dam was built over a period of 30 years to mitigate flood damage and ensure water resources for the surrounding area. The dam not only supports people's lives, but also contributes to the creation of a rich natural environment. There are many photo spots for the gently spreading water surface, so why not take a leisurely stroll? When you visit, be sure to check out the nearby spots as well


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