Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Kameyama Dam in Chiba Prefecture. Kameyama Dam is the first multi-purpose dam built in Chiba Prefecture, and is a lake resort where you can enjoy Lake Kameyama and the surrounding nature, which shows beautiful scenery in each season. This time I would like to introduce its charm.
Kameyama Dam is a dam located approximately 50km upstream from the mouth of the Obitsu River, a second-class river. Construction began in 1960 and was completed in 1982. The levee height is 34.5 meters and the total water storage capacity is 14.75 million cubic meters, making it the largest multipurpose dam in Chiba Prefecture. It was created for the purpose of flood control, maintaining the normal functioning of running water, and securing water for tap water.
There is a water purification facility called Otera Water Purification Plant downstream of Kameyama Dam, which supplies tap water to surrounding municipalities such as Kimitsu City and Kisarazu City. Lake Kameyama, a dam lake, is a man-made lake that shows off its beautiful appearance in each season, and you can enjoy activities such as cycling around the 25 bridges, hiking, boating, and fishing. The natural environment of Lake Kameyama and the dam has been designated as a 20th century heritage site that Kimitsu City wants to pass on to the next generation.
This time, I started from central Tokyo and entered the Shuto Expressway Bayshore Route from Route 9 Fukagawa Line. The Shuto Expressway Bayside Route is an elevated road that offers a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay, and when you see landmarks such as the Sky Tree and Rainbow Bridge, you get excited. If you are driving on the Shuto Expressway Wangan Line, you will enter the Tokyo Bay Aqua Line at Kawasaki Ukishima JCT-Ukishima IC.
The Tokyo Bay Aqua Line is a marine road consisting of a 15.1 km long undersea tunnel and a 4.4 km long bridge that crosses Tokyo Bay and connects Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture and Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The submarine tunnel runs 14 meters below the sea floor, but it is not visible from the outside, so it feels like a dark and long tunnel. Along the way, you can take a break and eat at Umihotaru PA, and from the observation deck you can see views of Tokyo Bay and Mt. Fuji.
After passing through the undersea tunnel, you will enter a bridge. You can ride on the sea while feeling the sea breeze on the bridge, but be careful as it may be closed on days when the wind is strong or the weather is bad. Enter the Chiba section at Kisarazu JCT, which is halfway along the bridge. The Chiba section is an expressway that connects the Metropolitan Area Chuo Expressway and National Route 468, and exit at Kisarazu Higashi IC.
From Kisarazu Higashi IC, head to Kameyama Dam via National Route 410 and Prefectural Route 24. National Route 410 is a road called the Kururi Kaido, which passes through Kururi City via the Kururi Makuta Bypass. Kururi City is a historic town that prospered as a castle town of the Kururi clan during the Edo period, and there are still castle ruins and old buildings. Prefectural Route 24 merges with National Route 465 at the Meiden intersection. National Route 465 is the road heading towards the Kamogawa River, and along the way there are sightseeing spots such as Mitsuishiyama Kannonji Temple and Shichirigawa Valley. Immediately after crossing the Kawamata Ohashi Bridge, you will arrive at Kameyama Dam.
When you arrive at Kameyama Dam, the first thing you see is the dam itself. It is a concrete gravity dam with a height of 34.5 meters and a crest length of 156 meters, and you can walk on the dam body. From the top of the dam, you can see a panoramic view of Lake Kameyama and the surrounding mountains, and when the water is released, you can feel the power of the water. Although the water is not normally released, tours are held for one day only during the Kameyama Autumn Festival held every November.
There is a facility called Kameyama Tourist Information Center Yasuragikan on the downstream side of the dam. Here you can see panel exhibits and videos that introduce the history and role of Kameyama Dam, and you can also get tourist information around Lake Kameyama. Additionally, products certified as the Kameyama Brand are sold here as special products of Kameyama Dam. The “Kameyama Brand” is a selection of specialty products that convey the charm of the city.
Kameyama Dam does not have a dedicated parking lot for motorcycles, but there are two parking lots for regular cars. One is the parking lot in front of Suragikan on the downstream side of the dam itself, and there is space for about 20 cars. It’s free to use, and there are restrooms and vending machines.
However, it can get crowded on weekends and holidays, so we recommend arriving early. Also, there is a short distance from the parking lot to the dam itself and Lake Kameyama, so you will have to walk or rent a bicycle.
Summary
https://maruchiba.jp/kimitsu/spot/images/2473.jpg
This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Kameyama Dam in Chiba Prefecture. Kameyama Dam is the first multi-purpose dam built in Chiba Prefecture, and is a lake resort where you can enjoy Lake Kameyama and the surrounding nature, which shows beautiful scenery in each season. There are also a wide variety of specialty products, and you can buy products certified as Kameyama brands as souvenirs. Motorcycle parking is available for free, and you can also rent bicycles.
Kameyama Dam, which is about 2 hours away from Tokyo, is a perfect spot for motorcycle touring. You can also drive on sea roads and undersea tunnels, so you can enjoy the feeling of driving. If you have a chance to go to Chiba Prefecture, be sure to stop by Kameyama Dam.
The above was sent to you by _hiroyuki.ta. Next time we look forward to!
