The G-Cans Underground Temple in Saitama is probably the most massive underground flood management system in the world- comprised of 100s of kilometers of tunnels up to 50 meters underground connecting 5 vast silos and one immense water tank: The Temple. The complex spans 6.3km between Showa in Tokyo and Kasukabe in Saitama, with the power to pump 200 tons of water per second into the Edogawa river. Wow.
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This complex- known as the ‘Underground Temple’ for its towering pillars and cavernous scale- is actually free for tourists to visit and photograph. I wanted to go but they only have opening hours on weekdays, and will only allow you on the tour if you speak Japanese- so you can heed directions in the event of an emergency. My Japanese skill is only luke-warm, so I decided to take a virtual Google Image tour instead.
Image from here.
Construction on the Temple began in 1992 and only finished this year- costing around $2 billion. It seems like a huge amount of money for an anti-flooding project- especially as all the rivers are already paved with concrete and bulwarked with giant tetrapods, flood-plains, and levy-mounds. Does Tokyo really require such extreme defensive measures?
Image from here.
According to Tokyo’s Central Disaster Management Council, if rainfall totaling 550 millimeters over three days hits Tokyo, causing the Arakawa river in Kita Ward to overflow its banks, then up to 97 subway stations would be flooded. That is however a once-in-200 years event, but one that G-Cans would help to drain away. See here for more details.
Image from here.
It’s probably impossible to say whether this whole thing is very wise and prescient, or just another huge hunk of candy handed down to the construction companies from the pockets of the politicians. I suppose only catastrophic flooding will tell the tale- if such a once-in-200 years event occurs, the planners will be touted as seers and their works emulated all around the world..
Well, good for them. Sometimes you just have to spend the tax-payers (my!) yen.
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G-Cans has managed to make a little money on the side from film and commercial shoots: here’s a Range Rover ad that was shot in the Temple:
If you’re interested in visiting G-Cans- here’s the website where you can book a place on the tour.
FACTFILE
Location – Tokyo / Saitama Entry – By tour, Tues to Thurs, only with J-speaking guide. Facts – Started 1992, finished 2009, $2 billion, Highlights – Being massive and looking awesome, underground.
TOKYO
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