Kurashiki Dam

A highly recreational-ized dam in Uruma City

Michael Flemming Apr 24, 2013 - 1 min read

<p>Kurashiki Dam, as seen from the road across it, is the largest in Okinawa by surface area</p>

<p>The road across Kurashiki Dam is picturesque along both sides and each end</p>

<p>There's a quaint little pond with a bridge across it that is fun to explore around</p>

<p>The walkways, covered seating areas, grassy fields and the grounds are pretty and well maintained</p>

<p>The entrance to the bat-themed cave</p>

<p>Press the button to see water dancing on a vibrating rubber membrane</p>

<p>A shallow river flowing to a secondary reservoir is full of water waders on the weekends and during the warmer Summer months</p>

<p>The administration building as seen from the opposite side of the stepping stone bridge</p>

<p>The water in the foreground is about a half meter deep and perfect for cooling off</p>

Kurashiki Dam tops off its vital role of flood prevention and water conservation by offering a beautiful park setting full of adventure. The largest of Okinawa's dams, Kurashiki is really a recreation destination. The administration building has a small museum featuring a bat themed cave with water experimentation stations and a small theater that plays a water conservation movie. The Dam itself can be traversed by car, bike or foot. There are several kilometers of paved walkways as well as beautifully groomed grassy fields on both sides of the Dam, and along a shallow river leading to a secondary reservoir. Additionally there is a small pond with fish, frogs and lily pads that is fun to explore around. Swimming and fishing are not allowed, but dipping into the shallow river and crossing it along a pathway of rocks is encouraged. The Kurashiki Dam and Park are located two kilometers west of Route 329 just south of the Okinawa Expressway Okinawa-Kita exit. All activities are free. There are four parking lots with plenty of spaces. Operating hours are 08:00~ 21:00. The museum is open 09:00 ~ 17:00. The movie plays once every 60 minutes from 10:30 ~ 15:30.

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.