Hoheikyo Dam

An environmental protection area inside a national park that brings nature and dam together to make it a famed sight for foliage viewing

This arch concrete dam, which is 102.5 meters tall, was completed in 1972 to utilize the Toyohira River, located in the Minami-ku area of Sapporo, for hydroelectricity and to control its flooding. The resulting reservoir was named Jozan Lake and it holds approximately 30 times the volume of Sapporo Dome in water. Hoheikyo Dam is located inside Shikotsu Toya National Park, and the 2km area between the dam entrance and the dam is a designated environmental protection area and no cars, motorcycles, or bicycles are allowed in it. The dam can be accessed by foot or electric bus. Steep rock slopes surround the dam to create a picturesque sight. The dam is dramatically discharged for sightseeing between June and October from 9:00 to 16:00 and it is famous as a place for foliage viewing.