All was well in the urban exploration world, everyone went about their urbexy type business as normal. It takes quite a bit to rock the boat, to gather everyone's attention - G-cans was like a kick in the collective nuts. The rumours, then the photos, left us breathless and wide eyed. We've seen missile silos, powerstations, train tunnels, catacombs and the like, but an underground manmade drainage system on a scale known as ginormous... sweeto. Totally sweeto as this is Japan. 2 years of lust filled nights dimmed the day we explored the raddest drainage system in the world.
Completed in 2002 g-cans prevents flooding and damage to Tokyo with a collection of 5 sequential stormwater retarding silos joined to a massive holding tank by 10.6m concrete lined tunnels. Each underground silo is 65m deep with a diameter of 32m. The holding tank (or pressure tank) is a startling cavity 177 x 78 x 25m in size.
We found the place using directions from Anymouse's writeup of his adventure, they're spot on. Allocate 3 hours of transport time so bring something for the train ride. Twister is an excellent way to pass the time. Upon sight the Q building (pumping station, control, and tourist centre) was out of place and suspicious. It was strangely new, industrial looking, quite large and upon a flat topped hill with very little around it... fucking jackpot my dear Watson.
Upstairs in the Q building we watched an educational video, which contained a CG dragon representing the torrents of water controlled by the g-cans system. The presentation was entirely in Japanese, thankfully fuck-off-monster-tunnels translates similarly in all languages. Our lovely jumpsuit-wearing tour guides explained the scale models (complete with fancy LED lights and water effects), before distributing the all important g-cans approved hardhats. You just never know when a 25m tall cavity will collapse on you, but just in case our smashed up bodies would have beautiful heads and swanky hard hats!
We exited the building trailing our guides like lil puppies, our tails wagging furiously in the air. 2 years of anticipation is a hard thing to contain. The pressure chamber is the main holding tank of the system and is constructed beneath a soccer field. The pumping station and access huts are something of a give away to the true nature of the area. We descended through one of the small huts and into the mighty chamber. We circled the perimeter upon the elevated walkway, taking in the vast expanse with mouths agape. It's like Dreadnaught on steroids. The pillared cavity stretches into the distance, its dim lights casting faint shadows across the shiny wet floor. Thankfully they allowed us to bring tripods and backpacks, it's amazing how freely we were able to take photos. I can't help but expect that in Australia something of this nature would (on the slimmest of slim chances you could take a tour) require jumpsuits, safety lines, and worst of all ban cameras. Of course you would be able to buy a postcard for $10 on the way out.
Due to the recent rains and water further upstream in the system we couldn't access the floor of the holding tank. No doubt Esteban child of the sun has been out of work since Mysterious Cities of Gold stopped airing, we could have used his assistance in the week prior to our visit. Oh wells... Finally, tired of our photo taking and conversation/inane questions aimed to prolong our underground jaunt the lovely guides forced us back to sunlight. Some of the tourers looked glad to be back topside, I would have been quite content to string up a hammock between the pillars and take a nap.
It's amazing that the Japanese government celebrate their infrastructure instead of hiding it away from the public. After all it was built with public funds. G-cans has featured prominately in the media, arts and news in Japan, and also overseas. Landrover used the pressure tank for a television ad. Many books on display in the pumping station chronicled the construction and a good number showed the pressure tanks as part of art projects, exhibitions and music shows.
The tour was free and booked through the g-cans website. Do it you scum!
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Comments on G-cans, into the monster
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#1 - 2006-07-18 12:46 - Reply
Pizzy
#2 - 2006-07-19 23:46 - Reply
dsankt
#3 - 2006-07-20 10:28 - Reply
Air33
#4 - 2006-12-28 12:18 - Reply
jpdn
#5 - 2007-12-31 03:54 - Reply