Historic site of the hand-dug Kawaguchiko-Arakura tunnel

Important cultural property of Fujikawaguchiko-machi

Kawaguchiko-Arakura tunnel is the Japanese longest hand-dug tunnel. It is an irrigation canal of 3.8km in total length that dug through the bottom of the Tenjoyama mountain to draw the water of Lake Kawaguchiko into the Arakura village (Fujiyoshida-shi).

From the Edo period, Lake Kawaguchiko had been plagued by flooding damage to occur frequently. However, the Arakura village was located on the lava and was said to be “a waterless village" in the poor ground of the water. So, for flood control measure of Lake Kawaguchiko and the newly reclaiming a rice field of the Arakura village, a plan to dig through a mountain from Lake Kawaguchiko to the Arakura village, and to drain water was fixed.

The construction was started in 1690, but the first construction failure without passing water. The construction with a strong hope of villagers resumed in 1847, they overcame much difficulty, and the tunnel was finally completed in 1866. The construction work, it was spent total 100000 people in about 170 years.

This tunnel is designated cultural assets of Fujiyoshida-shi and Fujikawaguchiko-machi. It is called “Kawaguchi Horinuki (tunnel)" in Kawaguchiko-machi on the intake side and is called “Arakura Horinuki (tunnel)" in Fujiyoshida-shi of the exit.

The exit on the Arakura side is blockaded now, but can go to the neighborhood. There is a waterway of rockwork that follows from the exit, you can glimpse the situation in those days. Benten shrine is enshrined on its side, it is said to have been built at the same time as the water passing the tunnel.

Here in “Historic site", there are documents that commented on work, and the display of the construction tool of the time. In addition, there is the diorama which reproduced work, and the display that showed a state of “Yakihori" (burn the bedrock, and crush it) with the life-sized doll. And then you can observe the real tunnel to a length of approximately 60m.

There was an intake taking in water of Lake Kawaguchiko in the parking lot of the Funatsuhama Beach, but It had reclaimed now, and there is only a monument there.

Business days of “Historic site of the hand-dug Kawaguchiko-Arakura tunnel"

Closed: Wednesday and Thursday
Business hours: From 11:00 to 14:00
Entrance fee: 500yen (adults), 300yen (children)
Tel. 0555-72-3060

There is much irregularity in this, so we recommend that you confirm beforehand for the business hours. And then the inside of the tunnel is low in the temperature, and please prepare for suitable clothes because there are many points where water oozes.

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