Feast your eyes on Japan's impressive sea ice tunnel

Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, also known as Tokyo Bay Aqualine Expressway, is an impressive infrastructure project in Japan.

Previously, people had to rely on ferries to travel, which was inconvenient and time-consuming. The project includes a 4.4km long bridge and a 9.6km long tunnel across Tokyo Bay. The construction of the Aqua Tunnel has helped reduce travel time between the two cities of Kawasaki (Kanagawa Prefecture) and Kisarazu (Chiba Prefecture).

The Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line opened to traffic in December 1997, after 31 years of research and construction. From above, the tunnel could easily be mistaken for a bridge, as the 4.4km structure is above water, while the remaining 9km is submerged.

The section connecting the bridge and tunnel is called Umi-Hotaru, a multi-purpose parking area, and the rest of the area is designed to jut out into Tokyo Bay. Umi-Hotaru looks like a cruise ship floating on Tokyo Bay, with five floors: floors 1 to 3 are parking lots, while floors 4 and 5 are a commercial center with shops, restaurants, and an observation deck.

Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line is considered an innovative architectural work that perfectly combines technical and aesthetic elements. This ice tunnel is a must-see attraction when visiting Tokyo, the capital of Japan.

According to VTC News