At 156 meters in height, it is the second tallest dam in Japan.
The interior inspection gallery is accessible to the public, allowing visitors to walk inside the concrete dam body.
The reservoir is officially named Chichibu Sakura Lake due to the thousands of cherry trees planted in the vicinity.
The dam utilizes a specialized incline railway elevator to transport visitors between the river level and the crest.
The structure is a gravity-type concrete dam, which relies solely on its massive weight to resist the hydrostatic pressure of the reservoir.
It is a key component of the Arakawa River water control system protecting downstream areas from flooding.
Urayama Dam is a concrete gravity dam located in the Saitama Prefecture, standing as the second tallest dam in Japan at 156 meters. It creates the Urayama Reservoir, also known as Chichibu Sakura Lake, which serves as a critical water resource and flood control facility for the Arakawa River basin. The dam features an extensive observation deck and an interior exhibit gallery providing insights into its engineering and local water management systems. Visitors can access a specialized inclined elevator system that transports passengers from the dam's base to the crest. The facility integrates into the surrounding mountainous landscape, offering perspectives on the Chichibu region's topography. Its spillway design is optimized for managing heavy seasonal runoff characteristic of the Kanto region. The site functions as a multi-purpose infrastructure point, balancing industrial water supply, power generation, and public educational tourism.
From the base of the dam looking upward to capture the scale of the concrete wall, or from the crest looking down the spillway.
Walk the full length of the dam crest to access the best vantage points for both the reservoir and the valley below.
Visit the 'Urayama Dam Materials Museum' located near the parking area for detailed engineering diagrams.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as there are many steps if you choose not to use the elevator.
Do not attempt to walk along the service roads intended for maintenance vehicles; stay on designated visitor paths.
The elevator and museum may close during inclement weather or maintenance periods; check local signage upon arrival.
Stay within marked pedestrian zones and avoid climbing on railings or restricted concrete barriers.
