The Miwa Waterwheel, Japan's Oldest Working Waterwheel

The Miwa Waterwheel, located in Hishino, Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is Japan's oldest working waterwheel and has been designated as a national historic site. In addition to the 'Triple Waterwheel' in Hishino, which is a symbol of Asakura City, there are also the 'Double Waterwheel' in Mishima and the 'Double Waterwheel' in Kokonoe, which are still in use today, irrigating the fields. Every year on June 17th, the Yamada Weir Water Gate in Suijin Shrine is opened, and the Triple Waterwheel begins to operate. The sight of the waterwheel drawing water from the Chikugo River during the rice planting and harvesting season is a summer tradition for locals and visitors returning home. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, you can see the waterwheel beautifully illuminated.