Kurashiki Dam Tower

Views of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea

Michael Flemming Dec 11, 2013 - 1 min read

<p>The Kurashiki Dam Tower is 41 meters tall; the observation deck is 35 meters above the ground</p>

<p>The view southward as the elevator doors open</p>

<p>The surrounding recreation area at Kurshiki Dam includes the jogging track and wide open grassy area around the tower</p>

<p>The reservoir created by the Kurashiki Dam was once a rural village prior to World War II, then used by the U.S. military as a supply depot prior to the creation of the Dam</p>

<p>Fingers and hilltops now appear as islands in the reservoir</p>

<p>Kurashiki Dam is the largest Dam in Okinawa</p>

<p>The nearby mountain of trash created at a waste management facility partially obscures the view southward</p>

<p>Henza Island and the Pacific Ocean</p>

<p>The Kadena Air Base flight line with the East China Sea in the background</p>

The Kurashiki Dam Tower is a 41 meter tall observation building that is hidden away from the attention of most visitors to the surrounding recreation area. The five-story-tall tower is located just beyond the museum along the northern bank of the reservoir created by the Kurashiki Dam. There's a stairwell reserved for emergency descents only so take the elevator to the top to enjoy views of the surrounding area. The East China Sea and Kadena Air Base are to the west, Henza Island and the Pacific Ocean are to the east.

Michael Flemming @michael.flemming

I'm a wanderer in Okinawa turning over every stone I can find. I write, photograph and blog about my favorite finds here in Japan's southernmost prefecture.