1/3

Show All Image

Kurobe Dam

富山県

4.5

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

One of Japan's representative large-scale dams, the Kurobe Dam.

The Kurobe Dam boasts the highest height in Japan. It is also a tourist spot, but it has an important mission of supporting our daily lives. From around June to October, during the timing of water discharge, you can enjoy a powerful view of a large amount of water flowing overhead from the Rainbow Terrace.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic Culture

Highlights

Point 1

Powerful Water Show

When it comes to Kurobe Dam, the must-see attraction is the powerful tourist water release. More than 10 tons of water is released every second, creating an impressive sight. The tourist water release takes place from June 26th to October 15th each year, with specific times as follows: from June 26th to July 31st, it runs from 6:00 to 17:30; from August 1st to September 10th, it runs from 6:30 to 17:00; and from September 11th to October 15th, it runs from 7:00 to 16:30. Please check the schedule in advance when planning your visit. If you're lucky, you might even see a rainbow over the water.

Point 2

Admire the Dam from Various Angles

The Enbankment of Japan's tallest dam is 492 meters long, resembling a giant wall. It is surrounded by magnificent nature, and you can capture a wonderful landscape from various angles. There are several spots around the area where you can appreciate the dam. Check out the dam observation deck, exterior staircase, new observation plaza, and rainbow terrace to get a closer and more powerful view of the dam.

Point 3

A Dam Lake that Stands Out Against the Northern Alps Mountain Range

Kurobe Dam is located in Tateyama, Toyama, near the border with Nagano and surrounded by the Hida Mountains, also known as the Northern Alps. The magnificent view of the Northern Alps is beautiful in every season, but especially during the autumn foliage season, it is stunningly beautiful and called "San-dan-koyo," where the snow, autumn leaves, and trees that have not yet turned red create a gradient. The winter scenery covered in snow is also breathtakingly beautiful and will touch your heart.

Point 4

Gracefully Cruise Around the Lake on a Sightseeing Boat

The "Garve," a sightseeing boat, allows you to gracefully cruise around Kurobe Lake on the upstream side of Kurobe Dam. When the lake is full, its surface elevation reaches as high as 1,448 meters. It's said that the Garve operates in the highest location among all sightseeing boats in Japan. The Garve boarding area is located on the opposite side of the embankment from Kurobe Dam Station, where buses from Oyashirazu Station and various observation spots arrive. The round trip takes about 30 minutes, and the fare is 1,500 yen for adults and 550 yen for children. Why not enjoy the magnificent natural beauty with the sound of flowing water as background music on the emerald green surface of the lake?

Point 5

Enjoy a Powerful Water Release from a Different Angle

画像引用：黒部ダム公式

From the dam observation deck, you can descend to the new observation plaza and dam rest house via an outdoor staircase installed on the concrete wall. Unlike the view from the embankment or promenade, you can enjoy the changing angles of the dam's expression as you move down step by step. The long staircase, which will take your breath away, is also a great viewpoint where you can enjoy a refreshing view, except for those with a fear of heights.

Point 6

Replica Tunnel Used in a Movie

画像引用：黒部ダム公式

Located next to the newly established observation deck at the New Observatory Square special venue, which was opened in 2003. Inside, you can enjoy the history of the Kurobe Dam construction through panels and videos, and there is also a replica of the tunnel set from the movie "The Sun of Kurobe" that was relocated from the Yujiro Ishihara Memorial Museum on display. "The Sun of Kurobe" is a movie starring the Showa-era star Yujiro Ishihara, released in 1968, which depicts the construction of the Kurobe Dam, known as one of the greatest construction projects of the century. In addition to the huge tunnel set measuring 3.3 meters in height and 4.4 meters in width, cameras and lighting are also set up to reproduce the movie filming location. If you have the chance, please do watch the movie as well.

Point 7

Enjoy the Fun of Destroying with Dam Curry

Have you heard of dam curry? It's a dish that became popular nationwide around 2009, with the rice representing an embankment and the curry roux representing a reservoir. There's even a "Dam Curry Association." The mechanism is that as you poke at the rice with your spoon, it eventually breaks and the roux spills out. While we definitely don't want a dam to collapse, it's okay for dam curry to collapse. The original dam curry is said to be the "Arch Curry" served at the Ogizawa Rest House on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. In addition to the Kurobe Dam Curry at this rest house, there are also other restaurants in the area that serve it, so why not try comparing and eating them all?

Access

Smooth Access from Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture

There are two ways to access Kurobe Dam. First, from the Nagano side, take the Kanden Bus from "Ogizawa Station" on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and arrive at "Kurobe Dam Station" in about 16 minutes. From there, it's about an 800m walk to the impressive dam. From the Toyama side, take the cable car and bus on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from "Tateyama Station" on the Toyama Chihou Railway to "Murodo Station". From there, take the breathtaking ropeway and Kurobe Cable Car to arrive at "Kurobe Station". The travel time from Tateyama Station depends on the transfer time, but it takes about 2 hours.

Sightseeing

A Famous Dam Surrounded by Nature

At 186 meters high, the Kurobe Dam is the tallest in Japan! The sight of water being released with great force and creating a spray is truly impressive. The scale of the dam is also a major attraction, as is the surrounding nature. Furthermore, the journey to the dam is full of fun experiences, such as beautiful mountain ranges and unique modes of transportation that can only be found here. There are also photo spots throughout the area, allowing both children and adults to enjoy the dam from above or below. This is a popular tourist spot with a variety of ways to enjoy it.

History

The Century's Greatest Construction Project, Made into a Movie

Kurobe Gorge is a rugged terrain that has long been called a hidden place. Despite such a harsh natural environment, the abundant water flow and large drop of the Kurobe River make it an attractive source of electricity. The first company to notice this was Toyo Aluminum, which began development, but after World War I, the project was handed over to Japan Electric Power. However, construction faced difficulties in the face of the harsh nature. In particular, the third power plant is said to be one of the most difficult construction projects in Japanese civil engineering history, and many workers lost their lives. There was also an accident where a work dormitory was hit by a snow avalanche. After World War II, Kansai Electric Power began development of the fourth power plant, and on June 5, 1963, "Kuroyon" was finally completed after seven years, 513 billion yen in construction costs, and the labor of 10 million people. 171 precious lives were also sacrificed.

Basic Information

	Address	〒930-1406 Ashikuraji, Tateyama-cho, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama
	Business Hours	7:30～17:00
	TEL	0261-22-0804
	Web Site	http://www.kurobe-dam.com/

Average Review

4.5

4 Reviews

初めて訪問しました。圧巻です。とにかく大きいダムでした。高度成長期の関西電力不足を解決するために、60年以上前にこの未開の地、黒部渓谷にこれほど大きな建造物を作り上げるとはものすごい決意と行動力、当時の人たちを尊敬します。結構歩きますよ。しかしながら、周りな海外の人だらけでした♪

壮大で満々と水をたたえた姿は是非とも見て欲しいです。周りの山々も壮大でとても気持ちが良いところです。また、湧水の温度は摂氏４度で、この冷たい水を浴びながら日夜ダム建設作業にあたった方々は偉大過ぎます。

2024.11月中旬の休日に訪問感動とか絶景と言うより、60年前にこれ程の建造物を作ったことに敬意を表します。ダムも凄いですが、ダムに行くまでの縦横無尽に通ってるトンネルも圧巻です。あと私は扇沢から黒部ダムまでしか行ってませんが、ケーブルカーとかロープウェイとかバスに乗って、室堂とかアルペンルートなどの富山までいつか行ってみたいです。

Better Visit Together