[Saitama Prefecture] The magnificent underground temple of the guardian deity of floods! "The Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel"

The Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, commonly known as the Underground Temple, was built in Kasukabe, Saitama in 2006. It was built to protect Kasukabe and the greater Tokyo area from flooding caused by heavy rains, and is open to the public when not in operation (reservations required). 59 gigantic columns, each 2m wide, 7m deep, 18m tall, and weighing 500 tons, stand underground, creating a fantastical sight that is just like the Parthenon or the underground temples of Turkey. The temperature inside is kept at around 20°C in summer and around 10°C in winter, making it a great spot for a cool feeling in the summer, as it feels like you're in a natural air conditioner! The area that can be visited is small, and the tour takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You can take a lot of photos, but it's quite dark, so it may be difficult unless you have a high-resolution smartphone. On the ground, there is also the RyuQ Museum, which displays materials from the past special effects and drama locations. Of course, it is popular with children as they can learn about the spillway. The central control room is cool, and is often used in the command rooms of special effects movies such as Shitamachi Rocket. If you download the dedicated AR app, you can experience the water accumulating in the underground temple! #DomesticTravelRecord #SaitamaPrefecture #AmazingView #UndergroundTemple #CoolSpot