Sogi Power Plant Remains

The brick building, built about 90 years ago, is reminiscent of the ruins of a medieval European castle. The building is only visible while the water level of the Tsuruta Dam is lowered. It was built in 1909.

The “Sogi Power Plant Remnants Viewing Park” is located 1.5 km downstream from Sogi Falls, not far from the Shin-Sogi Ohashi Bridge. The “Sogi Power Plant (Former Sogi No. 2 Power Plant) Remains Observation Park” can be seen on the walking trail in the park. This hydroelectric power station was built in 1909 and boasted one of the largest outputs in Japan at that time.

It was decommissioned in 1965 when the Tsuruta Dam came into operation. The classic appearance of the building, reminiscent of a European castle, is impressive, but there are other reasons why the remains of the Sogi Power Station are a popular tourist attraction.

Lake Ohtsuru, the dammed lake of Tsuruta Dam, stretches in front of the building. The water level is lowered every year from April to September in preparation for flooding, and during this period the remains of the power plant can be seen in full or in part, but when the water level of Ohtsuru Lake rises, it is submerged.

In other words, spring and fall are the best seasons to view the Sogi Power Plant remains.

Although the Sogi Power Plant has been decommissioned, a small hydroelectric power plant, the Shin Sogi Power Plant, has been in operation in Sogi Falls Park since 2013. The glass-walled viewing platform that is part of the power plant’s facilities is open to all visitors.

From the glass-enclosed viewing platform, visitors can see a large volume of water flowing down from the water outlet below at a spectacular rate.