Pre-Conference Site Visit
Exploring Water Heritage and Management in the Tone River Basin:
A Journey Through History and Innovation
Date Friday, July 18, 2025 (the day before the conference)
Location Sites related to the history and culture of water in the Tone River Basin
Duration 8 hours
Registration Please register when you complete your conference registration.
Capacity 40 participants
Transportation A chartered bus will be provided for transportation.
Overview
The Tone River Basin, Japan's largest, illustrates the complex relationship between water and human society. For centuries, the region has developed innovative water management systems that have shaped both rural and urban landscapes. Notably, a system that supported Edo (now Tokyo) for over 500 years has played a vital role in safeguarding the area from floods, supporting water usage, and enabling navigation. On this tour, you will visit key sites that highlight this rich history, from traditional levees and irrigation systems to modern infrastructure designed not only to protect against natural disasters but also to manage and harness the basin's abundant water resources. Learn how Tokyo, a megacity within the basin, has influenced the water cycle and environment, and explore the delicate balance between human activities and nature. This tour provides unique insights into how culture, technology, and human ingenuity have worked together to ensure the sustainable use of water in one of Japan’s most vital and historically significant regions.
Planned Sites for the Visit:
Chu-jo Levee: A traditional, discontinuous levee system
Disaster site of Typhoon Kathleen (1947): A significant historical flood event
Tone Ozeki: A modern intake weir for water management
Minuma Irrigation System: A traditional irrigation system developed during the early modern period<
Further details will be updated as they become available.
