The Japanese government has unveiled a unique Minecraft map that brings the world's largest underground flood prevention facility to life. Now, you can explore this fascinating site, the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, or G-Cans, from the comfort of your own home at no cost. Located in the Tokyo area, this iconic yet lesser-known location is a marvel of modern engineering, and its virtual representation in Minecraft offers an engaging and educational experience.
G-Cans is a real-life disaster prevention marvel, most famous for its "pressure adjustment water tank," a cavernous space supported by 59 massive pillars. This awe-inspiring area, often dubbed the "underground temple" (chika shinden) in Japan, exudes an atmosphere that's perfect for epic boss battles in video games. It's so striking that it has been used as a backdrop for music videos, Japanese TV dramas like Kamen Rider, and various films.
The real-life G-Cans. Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
While you can tour G-Cans during dry seasons in person, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has made it possible to explore this atmospheric facility virtually through Minecraft. The ministry has also released a video on their official YouTube channel, offering a quick overview of G-Cans' purpose and showcasing its Minecraft representation.
The free Minecraft G-Cans map isn't limited to just the underground facility; it also includes an overground area with rivers, homes, and neighborhoods. This addition helps players understand how G-Cans safeguards communities in real life. You can even step into the control room and simulate draining flood water into the shafts to see the process in action.
The Minecraft G-Cans. Image credit: the Edogawa River Office.
MLIT's recreation of G-Cans in Minecraft serves as an educational tool, helping players grasp the facility's role in disaster prevention and its impressive scale. In reality, G-Cans features concrete tunnels stretching over 6 kilometers beneath Saitama Prefecture in the Greater Tokyo Area. During Japan's rainy and typhoon seasons, its five shafts collect water from flood-prone rivers and release it gradually into the larger Edogawa River and Tokyo Bay. Since its completion in 2006 after more than a decade of construction, G-Cans has been crucial in mitigating flooding in the region.
You can download MLIT's G-Cans Minecraft map for free from the official website of the Edogawa River Office, the facility's managing body. To enjoy this virtual experience, you'll need at least Version 1.21.1 of Minecraft Bedrock Edition or Version 1.21.0 of Minecraft Education Edition.
