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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel

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I used to read like every Japan related blog out there. Most sites link all sorts of videos and what not, to which I saw this one a few years back of an overpriced SUV driving underneath Tokyo.


Of course, there's no underground cavern like this in existence in Tokyo. But Saitama ain't Tokyo! Let's go!

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The concept is pretty simple.

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In the case of impending floods, pump the water from the low lying basin into the mighty Edo River. Use big machinery.

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It's a concept that I just explained in less than 5 seconds. But the "information" part of the tour lasts about an hour. It would have been pretty lame if it wasn't for this awesome sign!

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If you didn't think it was awesome, look again.

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It's mostly old people who come to check this sort of thing out, so they actually warned us that we would have to walk down over 100 steps.

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The payoff is a giant room.

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You can walk around and take pictures.

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Check out some cool water stains.

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It's only a couple hours out of central Tokyo, and it's free. So there you go. I guess if you are into 工場燃え then this is great. You welcome? Normal people, I guess you could ride a bicycle there along the Edo River, that would be a nice way to spend a summer day.

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If you really want to go, you can sign up on their webpage.

3 comments:

  1. excellent photos.
    I love tunnels and underground places.
    Must try and get there sometime,

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  2. Looks cool... but an hour long lecture at the front end might be a bit of a downer. I like that they call it the "Underground Temple" on their website. Sounds very exotic.

    And by the way... Happy (belated) New Year!

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  3. Happy New Year!

    Funny how I try and dissuade people wasting a full day going to this place, but the pictures contradict me. Enjoy!

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