There’s a hidden world beneath Tokyo — not a subway or an ancient tunnel, but something out of a sci-fi epic. Fifty meters below the quiet streets of Saitama lies the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, known to locals as Shutoken Gaikaku Hosuiro. Built to protect Tokyo from floods, this colossal underground space has become one of Japan’s most intriguing offbeat attractions.
Anyone who has ever seen this beauty simply cannot forget it! Locals respectfully call her Hime-Sama or Madam Princess. A castle-fortress is usually associated with men, but not this one.
For its dazzling white color and multi-tiered roofs, reminiscent of the wings of a huge bird, the fortress is also called the Castle of the White Heron.
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