YamaguchiLeisure

Choonto (潮音洞)

Flow of the course

Previous stop: Cool Off to the Sound of Water at a Zen Temple With Four Garden Styles

About 10 min from the previous stop

About 30 min here

About 20 min to the next stop

Next stop: Take a Breather in Tree-Shrouded Grounds to Close Out the Morning

About this spot

Located right next to Kanyo-ji Temple, this is a tunnel for an irrigation channel that was carved through solid rock in the early Edo period. Built to bring water from the Nishiki River to the fields of Kano, which had long suffered from water shortages, the traces of this rock-boring construction, achieved with the technology of the time, are still in use today. Water gushes out vigorously from the outlet, and just approaching the sound and spray is enough to feel a chill. It can be seen in a short time, making it a perfect stop after visiting the gardens. Children are amazed to learn that 'a tunnel dug by hand long ago still has water flowing through it today.'

Tips

The ground near the channel gets wet and can be slippery, so hold small children's hands as you approach. Some spots have no railing, so be careful when looking in. Since it only takes a short time to see, it's an easy stop to fit in even on a hot day.