Okutama Mizu-to-Midori-no-Fureaikan

In short

Okutama Mizu-to-Midori-no-Fureaikan is a Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks facility located right next to Ogochi Dam. Here, visitors can learn where and how tap water originates, as well as the history of the former village of Ogochi, which was submerged under the lake due to the dam's construction. The facility opened in 1998, and some of its exhibition rooms were renovated in March 2025.

• ​360° Theater​​: Immersive surrounding projections make visitors feel as if they have stepped right into the water conservation forest.
• ​Water Conservation Forest Experience Room​​: Visitors can touch tools that are actually used to protect the water conservation forest.
• ​Okutama Local Culture Exhibits​​: Displays introduce Okutama's cultural properties and feature videos of traditional performing arts.

History and Highlights

Okutama Mizu-to-Midori-no-Fureaikan is a Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks facility situated right beside Ogochi Dam. It opened in 1998 as part of the project commemorating the 100th anniversary of Tokyo's modern waterworks system, aiming to communicate the importance of Ogochi Reservoir and water source conservation.

Visitors can learn about where the water for the public water supply comes from and how it gets here. It also offers insights into the local history of each settlement of the former village of Ogochi that was submerged beneath the lake upon the construction of Ogochi Dam. The history of the dam's construction and highlights of the lake are introduced in the Lake Okutama spot guide.

More than 25 years after its opening, renovation work was carried out starting in August 2024. It then reopened on March 24, 2025, with some of its exhibition rooms newly updated.

At the center of the exhibition room stands a model of Ogochi Reservoir. Projection mapping is displayed on the model, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing seasonal expressions of the mountains within the water conservation forest alongside the screen visuals.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​360° Theater​​: Screenings show the water conservation forest through the four seasons, along with footage of Ogochi Dam. With images projected all around, visitors can learn about the role of Ogochi Dam and other topics while feeling immersed within the forest.
• ​Water Conservation Forest Experience Room​​: Visitors can handle actual tools used to maintain the water conservation forest. There is also an interactive section, including games, to retrace the "Fureai-no-Michi" trail that winds around Lake Okutama and the headwaters of the Tama River.
• ​Okutama Local Culture Exhibits​​: The first floor displays Okutama's cultural properties and screens videos of traditional performing arts. Visitors can trace Okutama's history and folklore through exhibits and video presentations.

Tips for Exploring

Take a bus from JR Okutama Station for about 20 minutes, get off at "Lake Okutama," and the Fureaikan will be directly in front of you. At the on-site restaurant, you can savor Okutama's local cuisine and other dishes while gazing at Lake Okutama and the natural landscape stretching outside the windows.

After touring the facility, you may want to extend your walk 500 meters past the dam administration office to the Ogochi Dam Observation Tower. It is also an easy and convenient stop for hikers walking the Okutama Mukashi-michi, which follows the old Ome Kaido road.