Another installment on places to go to cool off in summer. In 昭和48年 (1973), the national government began work on a tunnel to connect the southeastern corner of Aso’s caldera to Takachiho. They dug a bit and water spurted out; they dug more, and more water spurted out. Turns out, the further they dug, the more water there was, so they gave up. Now, it is a prefectural park called Takamori yūsui ton’neru kōen (高森湧水トンネル公園). The tunnel sports trippy, artsy works along its walls which play on strobe lights and water droplets - they sometimes appear to travel upwards. It also decorates the central lane which separates the two outer paths - one in, one out, streams of frigid water in between - with decorations befitting the season. Now is Tanabata, (七夕, a rare pan-Asian holiday not celebrated in the west - interesting read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanabata), which features its most popular display: a whole lotta Tanabata lanterns.. Plunge into the immense imagination which created these works of art as well as the sublime coolness of the cave. The tunnel is a ten-minute walk from the Minami Aso Takamori station - and the train ride is gorgeous as well. - William https://www.town.takamori.kumamoto.jp/kanko/kankomap/kanko/yusui.html