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The Inaoigawa Canal carries water from the Oirase River to the Pacific Ocean. The canal runs through the Sambongi Plateau (east to west 40 kilometers, south to north 32 kilometers) in the north east portion of Aomori Prefecture, providing irrigation water to the otherwise arid plain. In 1855 (Ansei 2) , Tsuto Nitobe began construction of the canal. The plans called for 39 kilometers of canal stretching from the Oirase River to the Pacific Ocean. On May 4, 1859, the first phase of the canal was completed and water flowed through the canal to the Sambongi Field. Tsuto, his eldest son Jujiro, and his grandson Shichiro had constructed two tunnels totaling approximately four kilometers in length and seven kilometers of canal. Efforts to extend the canal beyond the Sambongi Field were made; however, with the death of Jujiro in 1867 (Keio 2), further construction of the canal ceased. In 1871 (Meiji 4) , the area's people decided to recommence construction, and in time, the canal reached the Pacific Ocean. The Inaoigawa Canal was nationalized in 1937 (Showa 12), and many small, offshoot canals were added to the system. The total system now comprises approximately 60 kilometers of manmade irrigation waterways.
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1F -The Sanbongi Reclamation
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Water flowing through the Inaoigawa Canal in Towada City.