Discovering the Hidden Gem: Tokuyama Lake in Ibigawa

Curiosity often leads to the best adventures. Today, Hiromi and I decided to take a spontaneous drive to Tokuyama Lake in Ibigawa, not knowing much about the area. We had heard of the lake but had no real expectations—just a simple desire to see what was out there. What we stumbled upon was far beyond what we anticipated.

The Unexpected Beauty of Tokuyama Lake

Tokuyama Lake is the massive reservoir created by the Tokuyama Dam, Japan’s largest dam by volume. Spanning about 13 square kilometers, the lake is a vast, quiet expanse of blue, surrounded by rugged mountains. It’s hard to believe that an entire village once stood where the water now rests. The former settlement of Tokuyama was submerged to make way for the dam, a piece of history now hidden beneath the still surface of the lake.

The sheer size and tranquility of the lake make it feel like a hidden gem. There weren’t many people around—just a few other visitors stopping by, seemingly as awestruck as we were. The reflections of the sky on the water, the crisp mountain air, and the silence all combined into a perfect moment of stillness.

An Engineering Wonder: Tokunoyamahattoku Bridge

One of the biggest surprises of the trip was the Tokunoyamahattoku Bridge. At first, it seemed like just another modern bridge stretching across the lake, but the more we looked into it, the more impressive it became.

This bridge stands 146 meters above the Ibigawa River and features a 220-meter main span, making it one of Japan’s tallest and longest extradosed bridges. The engineering behind it is fascinating—it blends elements of beam bridges and cable-stayed designs, creating a structure that is both sturdy and visually striking. What’s even more incredible is that some of its tallest support piers are submerged deep beneath the lake. We stood there for a while, just taking in the scale of it all.

Flying the Avata 2: A Frustrating FPV Attempt

Of course, no trip like this would be complete without bringing my DJI Avata 2. The idea was simple—capture some epic aerial shots of the lake and bridge. But, as FPV pilots know, things don’t always go as planned.

We were at the 六社神社跡宮展望台 (Rokusha Shrine Ruins Observatory), a beautiful vantage point overlooking the lake. As soon as I launched, I started experiencing bad HD signal interference through my goggles. The video feed kept cutting out, leaving me unable to see where I was flying. I had no choice but to fly in line of sight without the goggles, resulting in shaky, unknown footage—recorded basically blindly. After a few tense minutes, I decided to land it before things got worse. Not exactly the cinematic masterpiece I had envisioned, but at least I didn’t lose my drone to the depths of the lake!

A Day of Discovery

Even though my FPV flight didn’t go as planned, today was still an unforgettable experience. Tokuyama Lake and the Tokunoyamahattoku Bridge are hidden marvels that few seem to talk about. Whether for the engineering feats, the stunning natural beauty, or just the peaceful escape, this place is worth the visit. Sometimes, the best adventures come from simply getting in the car and seeing where the road takes you.

We will come back to Lake Tokuyama as soon as the snow has fully melted and everything is in full bloom.

Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵