In most cities, the sewer is where domestic wastewater is circulated. However, in the city of Shimabara on the Japanese island of Kyushu, the street drainage channels water are so clean that it is home to hundreds of koi carp that can live in the sewer.
Fish in Japanese drainage canal
Located under the Unzen volcano on the Ariake coast (southern Japan), Shimabara has long been a popular destination for domestic tourists but remains a mystery to foreign visitors. Shimabara is proud to be one of the places where the purest water is kept in the land of the rising sun. The water here is clean and cool, sourced from the majestic Unzen volcano, which is still smoldering.
The water here is so clean that even the drainage channels can accommodate fish. It is estimated that there are up to 1,000 koi fish - a typical carp in Japan - living wriggling under the banks of drainage canals. This type of fish has very strict requirements for the living environment; the water must be pure and free of impurities for them to live healthily. This further proves that the freshwater here is as pristine and safe as the streams flowing between the streets.
Japanese koi fish
Like all ancient Japanese cities, the streets here are tiled closely, and only the drainage part is left open and shallow for the safety of the people and provides light for the koi fish to breed. Living.
Visitors can admire the round, colorful fish swimming between the narrow ditches. There are ones that are more than 50 cm long, with very beautiful color veins.
In 1792, the area around Shimabara was hit hard by the Unzen earthquake and tsunami, which killed 15,000 people. At that time, no one could have imagined that dozens of pure springs with geysers would someday help the city appear on the national tourist map.
At least 60 geysers are flowing around the city through sewers and drains. That makes clean water the most abundant resource here. Today, Shimabara is also known as the "City of Water," inspired by water quality.
[Image Source]
Image Source
In 1978, the Neighborhood Association began planning an inland waterway system about 100 meters long with a source of clean water to raise koi fish. The sewer system is crisscrossed in the town, creeping into the old houses and connecting to an aquarium. In addition to the available original water source, the city's planning and local people's sense is also commendable. It is difficult to find a single piece of garbage or a little dirty water discharged from the houses in the town. When feeding fish, they are also very conscious, giving just enough food not to change the color of the water. Even children can comfortably play by the gutter without worrying about hygiene.
Today, there are hundreds of fish swimming leisurely in the currents and waiting for visitors. However, to protect the water source, the authorities posted a warning sign not to feed the fish.
The locals are proud of their famous koi fish and always try to maintain and protect the water as clean as possible. As for many tourists, this place deserves to be a "must visit at least once in a lifetime" destination.
Images Source
Photo @ callpeta
The Koi Japanese fish swim upstream in drainage channels waters
Photo @ callpeta
Where in Japan can we find “Drainage Canal with Koi fish”?
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