The walls of the remains of Sogi Power Station are seen collapsed in Isa, Kagoshima Prefecture, on July 11, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Isa Municipal Government)

       The remains of the Sogi Power Station are seen before the walls' collapse, on Sept. 3, 2020 in Isa, Kagoshima Prefecture. (Photo courtesy of the Isa Municipal Government)

       KAGOSHIMA -- The remains of a hydroelectric power plant that lay on the bed of a dam lake in the southwest Japan city of Isa, Kagoshima Prefecture, have been partially destroyed by a muddy surge of earth and sand that struck the area during recent downpours in the southern Kyushu region.

       The remains of the Sogi Power Station are registered as a national tangible cultural asset. The hydroelectric power plant was constructed in 1909 by Shitagau Noguchi, founder of the present-day Chisso Corp. and other companies, and its Western-style brick architecture evokes the image of a castle in medieval Europe.

       The power station became submerged when the construction of Tsuruta Dam on the Sendai River was completed in 1965. The remains emerge only during the low-water season between May and September, and the disused plant has attracted many tourists every year who want to see the mysterious structure.

       According to the Isa Municipal Government, earth and sand from upstream flowed into the site as a result of heavy rain on July 10, destroying most of the remains' brick facade. A municipal government official said, "We've never seen this scale of damage before. We would like to discuss a response with relevant agencies with a view to restoring the facility."

       The Sogi-no-Taki waterfall, dubbed the "Niagara in the East," located 1.5 kilometers upstream from the power station remains, also suffered damage, with its observation deck being destroyed.

       (Japanese original by Junko Adachi, Kagoshima Bureau)

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