REPORT

Kurobe Dam began its annual seasonal water discharge on 6/26 (Fri.). After the passing of Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8, I boarded the first Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus from Ogizawa at 7:30 a.m. on 6/29 (Mon.) and headed for Kurobe Dam Station. After taking in the view from the Dam Observatory, which is reached by climbing 220 steps, I descended the thrilling exterior staircase (pictured) to the Rainbow Terrace.
[Kurobe Dam]

From the Rainbow Terrace, I was able to watch the incredible 15 tons of water per second pouring from the face of Japan’s tallest arch dam (186 m) at close range. Depending on the wind, the spray even occasionally drifted over the viewing area. As the morning sun climbed higher and the mountain shadows disappeared, a beautiful rainbow gradually formed in the mist directly in front of me (pictured).
[Kurobe Dam]

I then cooled off in the refreshingly cool air at the Special Exhibition Area in the New Observation Plaza (pictured), where exhibits explain the history of Kurobe Dam’s construction. Highlights included a full-scale replica of the giant tunnel set from the film Kurobe no Taiyo (3.3 m high and 4.4 m wide). A nearby monitor also featured rare interview footage with people who worked on the dam’s construction.
[Kurobe Dam]

The view of the water discharge and rainbow from the dam crest (pictured) was equally spectacular. I met a family from Hokkaido (pictured, foreground) who told me, “We came all this way to see the Kurobe Dam water discharge. We left Tateyama Station first thing this morning, had breakfast at Mikurigaike Onsen, and just arrived at the dam. It’s been an amazing trip!” For reference, the Dam Observatory is visible in the upper left of the photo, the exterior staircase lies just below it, and the New Observation Plaza and Rainbow Terrace are located farther down.
[Kurobe Dam]

　　
＊The annual water discharge is scheduled to continue through 10/15 (Thu.), although it may be suspended due to weather or other operational conditions.

[Kurobe Dam]
＊Place … Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture; Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture
＊Opening Period … April 15, 2026 – November 30, 2026
＊Fees … Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus (Ogizawa – Kurobe Dam) Round-trip adults JPY3,200, elementary school students JPY1,600
　
[Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route]
＊Place … Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture; Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture
＊Opening Period … April 15, 2026 – November 30, 2026
＊Parking lot on the Ogizawa Station side … Passenger cars JPY1,000 / 12hours (*Free parking is also available)
＊Transportation costs from Ogizawa to Tateyama Station … adults JPY10,940, elementary school students JPY5,480
　
＊Request for the original data of our photographs　
　
reported by Snownavi