Yanagihara Water Gate and Kuriyama Water Tower are two remarkable examples of modern civil engineering heritage in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture. Built to support flood control and water supply, these structures reflect the engineering technology of their respective eras while retaining distinctive architectural beauty.
Although they were created for practical purposes, both facilities have also become valuable reminders of the development of modern infrastructure in the Matsudo area. Their preserved structures offer visitors an opportunity to discover a different aspect of the city’s history.
The Yanagihara Water Gate was constructed in 1904, during the Meiji period, as a river sluice designed to help control the Sakagawa River in the Edo River basin. It was designed by the Sakagawa Ordinary Water Utilization Association and played an important role in flood control.
The most striking feature of the structure is its elegant four-arch brick design. Even today, the combination of red brick and stone creates an impressive appearance and allows visitors to appreciate the craftsmanship of early modern Japanese civil engineering.
The water gate measures approximately 17 meters across the river and 13 meters in the direction of the river’s flow. The arches are constructed using brick and stone, while the piers are made of stone, creating a strong and durable structure.
The design was undertaken by Jiro Inoue, an engineer who was also involved in the design of the Kinugawa Hydroelectric Power Project and construction work on the Keihin Canal. His technical expertise and sense of aesthetics can be seen in the carefully proportioned form of the water gate.
The Yanagihara Water Gate is no longer used as an operating sluice, but its historical and architectural value has been recognized and preserved. In 1995, it was designated as a cultural property of Matsudo City.
In 2004, a ceremony was held to commemorate its 100th anniversary, and the structure was also recognized as a Heritage of Civil Engineering by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers.
In 2007, it was further designated as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Today, the water gate attracts visitors interested in history, architecture, and civil engineering.
The Yanagihara Water Gate is approximately 20 minutes on foot from Yagiri Station on the Hokuso Line. From the west exit of Matsudo Station, you can also take a Keisei Bus on the Ichikawa Line, route Matsudo 11, bound for Ichikawa Station, and get off at the Kuriyama bus stop. The water gate is then about a 15-minute walk away.
The top of the former water gate is now incorporated into a road that can be used by vehicles. The surrounding area is also suitable for walking and enjoying the nearby scenery.
The Kuriyama Water Tower is a water supply facility located approximately 500 meters from the Yanagihara Water Gate, within the grounds of the Kuriyama Water Purification Plant in Matsudo City.
Built in 1937, during the early Showa period, the facility remains in active use today. Its historical importance has also been officially recognized. In 2006, it was selected as a Heritage of Civil Engineering by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, and in 2017, it was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property under the category of buildings, together with Chiba Branch No. 1 Distribution Reservoir.
The Kuriyama Water Tower is a massive reinforced-concrete water storage facility. It stands approximately 31.9 meters high, has an interior diameter of about 15 meters, and has a storage capacity of approximately 3,534 cubic meters.
Its most distinctive feature is the large elevated water tank with a dome-shaped roof. Four columns supporting a ventilation structure rise from the top, giving the tower its characteristic silhouette.
The original designer has not been identified. However, Juro Shikida, who was serving as director of the Chiba Prefectural Waterworks Bureau at the time, is known to have been involved in the construction.
The Kuriyama Water Tower was built in 1937 as an auxiliary facility of the Chiba Prefectural Waterworks project, which developed the Edogawa Water Source Plant, also known as the Kogasaki Water Purification Plant.
The facility was later placed under the management of the Kuriyama Water Purification Plant and continues to support the water supply system of Chiba Prefecture. Its continued use makes it a particularly interesting example of historic infrastructure that remains connected to modern daily life.
Its heritage value was recognized in 2006 when it was selected as a Heritage of Civil Engineering by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers. In 2017, it was also registered as a Tangible Cultural Property.
The Kuriyama Water Tower is approximately five minutes on foot from Yagiri Station on the Hokuso Line. Because it is close to the Yanagihara Water Gate, visitors can conveniently explore both sites during the same outing.
Visiting the Yanagihara Water Gate and Kuriyama Water Tower together provides an interesting way to explore Matsudo’s history of infrastructure and engineering. The Yanagihara Water Gate allows visitors to admire the graceful four-arch brick structure at close range, while the Kuriyama Water Tower conveys the scale and power of a large-scale water storage facility.
Together, the two sites illustrate how civil engineering evolved from the flood-control infrastructure of the Meiji period to the large-scale water supply facilities of the Showa period. Exploring them while learning about their historical background offers a unique perspective on Matsudo’s industrial and technological heritage.
The area around the Yanagihara Water Gate includes some sloping roads, so visitors may need a moderate level of stamina when exploring on foot. However, the route also offers pleasant scenery surrounded by greenery and provides opportunities to experience both the natural environment and historical landscape of Matsudo.
After viewing the historic brick water gate, visitors can continue on foot toward the Kuriyama Water Tower. The relatively short distance between the two facilities makes it possible to explore both sites efficiently as part of a single walking excursion.
The Yanagihara Water Gate and Kuriyama Water Tower are valuable reminders of the infrastructure that supported the development of Matsudo and the wider Chiba region. Their designs demonstrate the engineering knowledge and construction techniques of different periods in modern Japanese history.
Beyond their practical functions, these structures have been preserved as important cultural and industrial heritage. A visit to both sites offers travelers interested in architecture, engineering, history, and local culture a chance to discover a lesser-known side of Matsudo.