Located in Niyodogawa Town, Kochi Prefecture, Odo Dam Park is a park developed around the Odo Dam, the largest dam on the Niyodo River. It covers an area of 13 hectares around the dam and extends 10 km along the lakeside road. In spring, approximately 3,000 cherry trees bloom, making it one of the prefecture's leading cherry blossom viewing spots. Highlights include the scenery around the dam lake, "Chagiri Lake," a lodging facility and restaurant overlooking the dam, athletic facilities and playgrounds for children, and tours of the dam itself (reservations required).
Area
⦿ The park covers approximately 13 hectares around the dam and extends approximately 10 km along the lakeside road.
Highlights
⦿ From this park, you can see the Odo Dam directly below, and if you're lucky, you might even see the dam's discharge from directly above!
⦿ Akiba no Yado and Restaurant: Located on a hill, this restaurant and lodging facility offers excellent views.
⦿ Athletic facilities and playground equipment: There are athletic facilities and playground equipment for children to enjoy near "Akiba no Yado".
⦿ Tour of the Odo Dam: Groups can tour the inside of the dam and the control room, with staff providing guidance. (Reservations required)
⦿ Relocated traditional house: A traditional house has been relocated to the park, allowing visitors to experience life in the past.
⦿ Nearby tourist spots: There is good access to tourist spots around the Niyodo River, such as the entrance to Iwaya Gorge, Sawado area, and Washizu Falls. There is also free parking and restrooms available.
After struggling to find lunch, it was already evening, so I decided to eat some rice balls I bought at a convenience store in this park.
This high-altitude park acts as an observation deck, with a stunning view of the dam and the blue mountains.
It just made the rice balls taste twice as good.
There was also a large hawk in the park, and it seems to target bento boxes, so you should be a little careful.
It was a cool-looking hawk, though.
It was a great memory.
Visited on March 31, 2024. The cherry blossoms are almost in full bloom.
It takes about 10 minutes to drive across the Dam Bridge and enjoy the cherry blossoms along the river. The parking lot is incredibly large, but there weren't many people there, making it a hidden gem.
Some people even set up camping chairs and enjoyed a leisurely cherry blossom viewing, so I'll keep that in mind next year! Lol
You can even drive on the top of Odo Dam, the second largest dam after Sameura Dam. It stores water from the Niyodo River and is an important part of Kochi. The views from the park near the dam are spectacular!
You can enjoy the mountain scenery throughout the seasons, and it's a great park to drop by anytime!
