Okutadami Electric Power Museum

Built in 1973, the Okutadami Power Museum is a PR facility for the Okutadami Dam (operated by J-POWER), which originates in Oze. Located on a hill overlooking the dam, it primarily targets tourists visiting Lake Okutadami and Oze, as well as groups of elementary school students. In 2023, to commemorate its 50th anniversary, the museum was renovated and reopened as a power museum utilizing advanced digital technology.

The exhibition features sections that showcase the four seasons of Okutadami and the history of the dam and power plant construction, as well as a section where visitors can experience the past and present through digitally remastered footage of the construction and impressive drone footage on a large screen. displays make it easier to learn about the Okutadami Dam, the mechanisms of hydroelectric power generation, and energy.

In addition, visitors can enjoy the Uonuma City Interaction Corner, displays of materials used in the Japan Academy Prize-winning film "Whiteout," and a trick art corner featuring the Otori Dam, known as the "phantom dam" because it is off-limits, where they can take immersive photos.

Given that the facility has been open for 50 years, the challenges included "architectural and equipment refresh work," "displays renewal," and "equipment upgrades to ensure maintainability" with a view to the next 10 years. In addition, there was a need to "promote the latest management philosophy" of the J-POWER (Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.) Group and to respond to information regarding "environmental issues and decarbonization," as well as the challenge of researching primary sources to concretize displays and considering how to obtain them.

While preemptively sharing customer needs, we quickly solidified the framework of the project based on the collection of specific information. In addition, through regular meetings with local business offices, we systematically obtained primary materials such as photographic materials and texts, and realized displays that made the most of limited information sources.

displays has been renewed to be a video displays that can convey the scale and realism of the dam, and can also ensure maintainability.
On the first floor, six "large panels" are installed. The story tells the story of Oze's unique natural blessings, from water to power generation, and introduces the water sources and seasons nurtured by the nature of Oku-Tadami, as well as the history of dam and power plant construction. On the large screen (2m×4m) on the second floor, you can selectively view powerful footage shot with the latest drones, including a digitally remastered version of a dam construction film taken in the 1960s.

In addition, in order to promote the project at the same time as the coordination of the permit application for the Natural displays Parks Act, and to avoid winter closures due to heavy snowfall and the tourist season, we have established a cooperative system with construction companies as soon as possible, worked closely with local building and equipment companies, and scheduled a wide range of approvals and procedures. Even in a very short construction process, we took care to ensure that customers could fully consider the renewal for the first time in 50 years and welcome the opening with peace of mind.