Japan Turns Its Massive Underground Flood Temple into a Minecraft Map
Metaverse
3 minutes read
Recently, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) released a Minecraft map of the "Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel," also known as G-Cans, for free download by Minecraft players worldwide. This isn't just a digital twin; it combines gaming with disaster education, allowing players to learn about flood control in a virtual world. Players can witness this engineering marvel, often dubbed the "Underground Temple," and understand the importance of urban infrastructure.
(Source: automaton)
Digital Twins to the Rescue
The game kicks off with a sudden downpour. Rivers swell, alarms blare, and streets are on the brink of flooding. Your mission? Operate flood control facilities, open floodgates, activate drainage pumps, and guide the water into massive underground shafts and pressure-adjusting tanks, eventually channeling it safely into the Edo River. This process is a complete simulation of the actual flood control operations in the Greater Tokyo Area.
According to official sources, this Minecraft map is crafted from real engineering blueprints. It includes floodgates, shafts, and pump stations, as well as surrounding communities and exhibition facilities. Players can explore the second-floor exhibition hall with NPC guides to learn about G-Cans' history, structure, and function. They can freely explore the scene, operate facilities, and simulate flood response operations.
The massive pressure-adjusting tank supported by towering concrete pillars. (Source: Wikipedia)
Explore the Underground Temple
The most captivating feature is undoubtedly the awe-inspiring Underground Temple. G-Cans has appeared in Japanese films and animations like "Ultraman THE NEXT," "Kamen Rider," and "Tetsujin 28-go." It's the world's largest underground flood control facility and a prominent disaster tourism site in Japan. Located in Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture, it stretches 6.3 kilometers long and 50 meters deep. It's usually closed and only activated during heavy rain, about seven times a year, to combat typhoon season floods. Official information states it can withstand a "once-in-200-years" flood. Now, you can explore all this through Minecraft.
However, the Japanese government's decision to release this map for free at this time might remind some of Ryo Tatsuki's "The Future I Saw" and the "July 5th prophecy." Maybe I'm overthinking it, but being prepared is always a good thing. This Minecraft map was created by the Edogawa River Office and supports Minecraft Bedrock Edition 1.21.1 and Education Edition 1.21.03 or later. Players can visit the official website to download it for free and explore this real-life underground labyrinth.
