Ishigaki Island - Sokohara Dam -
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
What Is the Sokohara Dam?
Located near the center of Ishigaki Island, it flows through the central part of the islandMiyara RiverThis is the largest dam on Ishigaki Island, built for irrigation purposes on the Hara River.
With a height of 29.5 m, a crest length of 1,331 m, and a crest width of 8.0 m, this extremely wide rock-fill dam boasts the longest dam in Japan among rock-fill dams built for agricultural purposes!
You can walk on the dam embankment, but vehicles are prohibited.
There is a walking path around the reservoir, making it a great place to take a leisurely stroll.
Nearby.Soccer Park AkanmaThere are
How to Get to Sokohara Dam
The Sokohara Dam is located about a 10-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport.
Leave New Ishigaki Airport and head north on Route 390. Turn left at the T-intersection and head west on Route 211.
After turning right onto Route 209, continue straight on Route 87, and you'll see it on your right.
Things to Do at Sokohara Dam
On the opposite side of the Sokohara Dam,Maesato Dam...and further back lies the "Omoto Tunnel," which, at 1,174 meters in total length, is the longest tunnel in the Yaeyama Islands.
As you emerge from the tunnel,Blue Caveand ... andYaeyama palm colony in YoneharaSince there are attractions like this, we recommend visiting the Blue Grotto after seeing the two dams.
At dams on Ishigaki Island, including the Sokohara Dam, “dam cards” are distributed as souvenirs for visitors.
A "Dam Card" is a card-style pamphlet about dams that is managed, produced, and distributed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Japan Water Resources Agency.
It contains information about the dam in question and is distributed as part of the dam’s public relations efforts.
A total of 22 dam cards have been distributed in Okinawa Prefecture and 555 nationwide, making this an irresistible treat for dam enthusiasts.
I hear there are even people who travel all over the country to collect them.
On weekdays, they are distributed at the dam management office, and on weekends, at the Yaeyama Peace Memorial Hall in Ishigaki City.
There are several conditions for receiving dam cards, as described below, so please review them.
① Dam cards are distributed only to visitors to the dam, and are handed out in person at the distribution location—one card per person.
② We do not accept requests to have dam cards sent by mail or courier.
③ Dam cards will be distributed only at designated locations.
④ To receive the Oura and Ishigaki Dam Cards, you must provide proof of your visit to the dams, such as photographs (as specified in *1 and *2 below).
*1 For example, those wishing to receive a dam card must present a photo they took of the dam.
*2 Images published on the Internet may not be distributed.
Sokohara Dam Card:
Sokohara Dam Management Office: 0980-82-1791
Inquiry Hours: Weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
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Details on the Sokohara Dam
The Sokohara Dam is a rock-fill dam used for irrigation in the Miyara River basin, located in central Ishigaki Island, and is the largest of the five dams on Ishigaki Island.
Ishigaki Island has a subtropical climate, so it receives a lot of rainfall throughout the year, but most of it falls during the rainy season and typhoon season.
As a result, there are times when it hardly rains at all during other seasons. Since it doesn't rain regularly, the water supply for agriculture is unstable.
As a result, droughts occur frequently, and in 1971, a severe drought struck Ishigaki Island, dealing a major blow to agriculture.
For this reason, the Sokogen Dam was built to ensure a water supply during times of drought.
Since the construction of the Sokohara Dam and the water distribution reservoir, they have made a significant contribution to agriculture on Ishigaki Island.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Sokohara Dam
Soccer Park Akanma
To get to Soccer Park Akanma from Sokohara Dam, exit the dam, turn right, then turn right at the end of the road to enter Route 87.
Turn left at the first Y-intersection and continue straight ahead.
Continue for a while until you reach an intersection; turn right there, and you’ll see Soccer Park Akanma ahead of you.
This sports complex takes advantage of Ishigaki Island’s abundant natural surroundings. In addition to three high-quality natural grass fields, the park features a multifunctional clubhouse and a full range of top-notch facilities.
In 2002, it was also nominated as a candidate site for an official World Cup soccer training camp.
Thanks to its excellent playing surface, the facility is used as a training camp by teams such as FC Tokyo and Shimizu S-Pulse, and attracts famous soccer teams from both Japan and abroad.
Not only professional teams but also local soccer teams and youth teams use the facility.
While Soccer Park Akanma is primarily a soccer field, you can also try out other sports there, such as archery and futsal!
There’s also a café on the premises, so it’s a great place to stop for a break while sightseeing at nearby attractions like the Blue Cave and the Yaeyama palm grove in Maibara.
Location: 2166-1 Miyara Yoshikido, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 10 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Maesato Dam
To get to Maezato Dam from Sokohara Dam, leave Sokohara Dam, turn right, then turn right at the end of the road to enter Route 87.
Turn left at the first Y-intersection and continue straight ahead.
Continue for a while until you reach an intersection, then turn left there.
Follow the road, turn left at the Y-intersection, and continue straight ahead; you'll see it on your right.
The Maezato Dam, constructed on the main stem of the Miyara River system, is the southernmost multipurpose dam in Japan, serving irrigation, flood control, and water supply purposes.
This dam is a vital lifeline, as it is used for public water supply and agriculture.
Just downstream from the Maeri Dam is the Sokohara Dam, and nearby is the Omoto Tunnel, which, at 1,174 meters in total length, is the longest in the Yaeyama Islands.
Once you come out of this tunnel, there are popular tourist spots like the Blue Cave and the Yaeyama palm grove in Maibara, so be sure to check them out!
Location: Maesato, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 20 minutes by car from the remote island terminal
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Miyara River
To reach the Miyara River from Sokohara Dam, leave the dam, turn left, and head south on Route 87.
After turning onto Route 209 and following the road for a short while, you’ll come to the Miyara Bridge.
Park in the adjacent parking lot, then go down the stairs to reach the Miyara River.
It takes about 12 minutes.
The Miyara River is the river with the largest watershed on Ishigaki Island, and mangrove forests—designated as a Natural Monument—thrive along a 1.5-kilometer stretch upstream from its mouth, where the Miyara Bridge spans the river.
The mangroves on Ishigaki Island consist primarily of Yaeyama mangroves, which cover a vast area totaling 225 hectares.
You can go cruising by canoe, SUP, or sightseeing boat, so feel free to give it a try.
Location: Ohama, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 15 minutes by car from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, 15 minutes from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal
Parking: Free parking: approx. 4 cars
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Details on the Sokohara Dam
| Location | Miyara, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture (View in MAP) |
| Access | About a 20-minute drive from the Remote Islands Terminal, and about a 10-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport |
| parking lot | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| toilet | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| Business Hours | - |
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