 Image search results - "tunnel" |
Nishino Water Tunnel is near Lake Biwa at the foot of the Yamamoto-yama mountains. There are three tunnels. The original one was built in 1845 by a local priest to alleviate frequent flooding. 西野水道 MAP
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Near the tunnel entrance is a rest house where you can borrow rubber boots and flash lights for free.
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Near the tunnel entrance is the Nishino Horinuki Park with various monuments. 西野ほりぬき公園
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Statue and monument at Nishino Water Tunnel entrance.
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Tunnel monument and song monument.
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The monument shows tunnel laborers.
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Monument for a song about the tunnel digging, titled "Nishino Suido Uta."
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Lyrics to the song, "Nishino Suido Uta." 西野水道歌
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This is the original Nishino Water Tunnel built in 1845. Engineered by a Buddhist priest named Esho and with the help of fellow villagers, it took 6 years to dig through the mountain for about 220 meters. The tunnel drained excess water to Lake Biwa.
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You can enter and go through the Nishino Water Tunnel. Water does not flow through anymore, but it's still quite muddy and wet.
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The problem is, it's pitch black on the inside, and the tunnel size is quite small and craggy. Hard hats required. Not recommended, especially if you are taller than a 10-year-old.
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This is the other end of the original tunnel. The air was cold on this end.
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This is the second water tunnel, next to the original tunnel and running parallel.
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Entrance to the second water tunnel. This is much larger, large enough for a car to pass through. No longer used as a water drainage tunnel. We could easily walk through this tunnel.
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Floor of second water tunnel. Some water still flows through. Boots recommended.
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Other end of the second tunnel. This tunnel is no longer used for Yogo River. It is now mainly used by people wanting to go fishing.
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This is the third water tunnel and currently in use. The Yogo River flows out of it to Lake Biwa. Built in 1980. Also a local fishing spot.
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Yogo River mouth outside the Nishino water tunnel. Lake Biwa ahead.
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Original Nishino Water Tunnel facing Lake Biwa.
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