Fugan Canal Lock Gate Facility (Nakajima Lock Gate)

Overview

The Fugan Canal Lock Gate Facility (Nakajima Lock Gate), located in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, is a Panama Canal-style lock gate built in the early Showa period. Designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property, it's one of Toyama Prefecture's leading historical structures. The Fugan Canal, running from Toyama Bay through the heart of Toyama City, was once a bustling waterway. However, with the passage of time, water transport declined, and plans to fill in the canal were even considered. To preserve this precious historical heritage for future generations, the lock gate was restored and is now a popular tourist spot. The Fugan Canal Lock Gate Facility is a testament to the ingenuity of early Showa-era civil engineering; its meticulous design and exceptional construction techniques are highly regarded even today. The lock gate plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe passage of vessels through the canal by adjusting the water level difference. Aboard the Fugan Waterway Line, you can get an up-close view of the lock gate adjusting the water level, experiencing a mechanism much like a water elevator. A facility showcasing the lock gate's mechanism and history is also available, providing detailed insights into the technology of the time and the history of the canal. The Fugan Canal Lock Gate Facility is a valuable tourist destination where history and technology converge. Visit and experience the wonders of early Showa-era civil engineering!