A mysterious twin tower is being built next to Imazu Lighthouse, Japan’s oldest lighthouse and one of Nishinomiya’s proud landmarks.
Here it is↑
Here it is on the map↓
It’s just south of Imazu Lighthouse.
It’s so tall!
It’s really starting to take shape!
When you get up close, it’s pretty impressive.
You can see the concrete foundation. It looks very sturdy!
This is the entrance for construction vehicles.
The notice board had information about the construction posted on it.
“Hyogo Prefecture Port Storm Surge Countermeasure Project”
After looking it up, it seems they are building a “water gate” to prevent tsunamis from traveling upstream and flooding a wide area.
So this twin tower was actually a “water gate”!
Hyogo Prefecture estimates that a massive Nankai Trough earthquake could send a tsunami of up to 3.7 meters into Nishinomiya City, and this is a measure to protect residents’ lives from that threat.
Here is the floor plan↑
In Closing
As for Imazu Lighthouse, its owner, the sake brewing company “Ozeki,” is apparently considering relocating it.
That’s because it will be inside the new water gate, so in order to continue using it as a lighthouse, which serves as a navigational aid, it needs to be moved closer to the coast.
The “water gate” protects the lives of Nishinomiya residents, while “Imazu Lighthouse” protects Nishinomiya’s history and culture. As one Nishinomiya citizen, I hope both can be preserved and passed down to future generations.
