Have you ever seen such an artistic and unconventional view like this? This is a beautiful and skillful combination of the nature, water and the stainless steel surfaced tunnel. People also become a part of the art. Those figures contrast with the light outside and provide the illusional shades on the water and the steel.
This is a tunnel created along the gorge deep in the mountain in Niigata prefecture, about 200km north of Tokyo.
Kiyotsu gorge: https://goo.gl/maps/HUU7KbkH6tEm4Z5A8
Toward the end of the 750m tunnel, there are four lookouts, where you can see the beautiful gorge with the impressive columnar joint rising sharply from the river.
This tunnel was designed by MAD Architects, which was founded by a Chinese architect Ma Yansong. It features a submarine and gives you deep and mysterious feelings. Five elements of nature, wood, earth, metal, fire and water, were incorporated into the tunnel, and they transformed the tunnel into the artistic structure.
To go to the Kiyotsu gorge tunnel, take the bullet train bound for Niigata from JR Tokyo station and get off at Echigo Yuzawa station, about 90 minute ride. Then take a local bus to the entrance of the Kiyotsu gorge. Walk about 30 minutes (2km) from the bus stop and you can finally get to the tunnel entrance. Be careful, there are only four bus services a day to the gorge!
Niigata prefecture is known for its delicious sake and sea foods. You can try 130 different kinds of sake from the vending machines at the station.
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