What to do and see in Toyama Prefecture, Chubu: The Best Dams

January 20, 2022 Russell Mellin

Discover the best top things to do in Toyama Prefecture, Japan including Kurobe Dam, Asahi Ogawa Dam, Funagawa Dam, Arimine Dam, Unazuki Dam, Otani Dam, Lake Soyama Dam, Wakatsuchi Dam.
Restaurants in Toyama Prefecture

1. Kurobe Dam

Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun 930-1406 Toyama Prefecture +81 261-22-0804 http://www.kurobe-dam.com
Excellent
57%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 757 reviews

Kurobe Dam

Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea

Over the space of a few days, I managed to extract the maximum value from a JR Central Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area 5-Day Pass by making two separate visits to the Kurobe Dam; each from opposing directions. The first visit (from Toyama) was memorable for the sheer variety of transport; the Toyama Chiho Railway Alpine Route, Tateyama Cable Car, Tateyama Highland Bus, Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus, Tateyama Ropeway & Kurobe Cable Car. Each mode of transport unique and entertaining in its' own right, and having set-off from Toyama before 08:00am on a day that started overcast with a light drizzle, it was only fitting that my first glimpse of Kurobe Lake and Dam (some 3 1/2 hours later) was in the exhilarating descent from the zero visibility of Daikanbo on the Tateyama Ropeway into the beautiful sunshine that bathed Kurobe Dam. Limiting myself to only an hour at the Dam, I headed back on the long trek to Toyama. With the improved visiblity, I was able to spend more time at each of the interchanges (e.g.: Kurobedaira, Daikanbo & Murodo), viewing and photographing the sights/scenery. 2-days later I revisited Kurobe Dam; this time from the Shinano-Omachi side. The Dam can be reached from Matsumoto in a little over 2-hrs using JR Oito Line, Local Bus & Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. Arriving from Ogizawa by Electric Bus, you are faced with a choice; walking in a general downward direction to the tunnel entrance at top-of-dam-level (est. 5-mins), or ascending up some steps to the Dam Observation Deck (est. 7-mins). I would recommend the latter as it gives by far the best vantage point to view the dam itself and the ability to then descend the external stairs back to top-of-dam-level and the Rainbow Terrace below that. The shorter journey to the dam from the Shinano-Omachi side is less interesting that the journey from Toyama but enabled more time to be spent at the dam itself as well as the opportunity to revisit the Tateyama Ropeway up to Daikanbo (the highlight of my visit 2-days before). Despite spending 2-hrs at the Kurobe Dam, I wished in hindsight that I had spent longer and explored the Kurobe Lake further. Maybe next time!

2. Asahi Ogawa Dam

Yamazaki, Asahi-machi, Shimoniikawa-gun 938-0162 Toyama Prefecture
Excellent
0%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
60%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 5 reviews

Asahi Ogawa Dam

3. Funagawa Dam

Funami, Nyuzen-machi, Shimoniikawa-gun Toyama Prefecture
Excellent
0%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 2 reviews

Funagawa Dam

4. Arimine Dam

Arimine, Toyama 930-1458 Toyama Prefecture
Excellent
19%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 26 reviews

Arimine Dam

5. Unazuki Dam

4-9 Funamiakebiotozawa, Unazukimachi, Kurobe 938-0000 Toyama Prefecture +81 765-62-9071 http://www.hrr.mlit.go.jp/tiiki/manaviva/guide/toyama/unazuki.html
Excellent
10%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
40%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 10 reviews

Unazuki Dam

6. Otani Dam

Kichijoji, Kurobe Toyama Prefecture
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
100%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 2 reviews

Otani Dam

7. Lake Soyama Dam

Soyama, Nanto 939-1901 Toyama Prefecture
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 4 reviews

8. Wakatsuchi Dam

Inayama Yamadawakazuchi, Toyama 930-2112 Toyama Prefecture http://damnet.or.jp/cgi-bin/binranA/All.cgi?db4=0843

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