Sogi Power Plant Ruins

Overview

The Sogi Power Plant Ruins are the remains of a hydroelectric power facility completed in 1909 (Meiji 42). It was built by Sogi Electric Co., Ltd., a predecessor of leading Japanese companies such as Asahi Kasei and Shin-Etsu Chemical. At the time, it boasted a large generating capacity of 6,700 kilowatts, supplying power to the Ushio Mine and Ushio Ogushi Gold Mine. After the war, it also contributed significantly to regional industrial development by supplying electricity to the Chisso Minamata factory. Submerged by the completion of the Tsuruta Dam in 1966 (Showa 41), the ruins reappear only from May to September when the dam's water level drops. The brick building, weathered over the years, exudes a unique atmosphere that speaks of history. Its emergence from the dam lake creates a fantastical scene reminiscent of a medieval European castle ruin. Registered as a nationally-registered tangible cultural property, it is a precious piece of Meiji-era industrial heritage. This mysterious spot, a fusion of history and nature, allows visitors to sense the passion and technological prowess of Japan's modernization. The surrounding area also offers beautiful natural scenery, such as Sogi-no-taki waterfall.