Kanrei Dōmon, Rock shed in Hakone, Japan.
Kanrei Domon is a concrete shelter built along a mountain passage in Hakone to protect travelers from falling rocks and debris. The structure consists of reinforced concrete walls and roof sections that extend along the slope.
The structure was built in 1931 during the early Showa period and represented an advance in Japanese transportation infrastructure. It gradually ceased operations and became a protected monument in 2014.
The structure demonstrates engineering methods developed in Japan during the 1930s to safely navigate mountain passages. It stands as evidence of how engineers of that era created practical solutions to protect travelers moving through difficult terrain.
The structure is located along Route 1 in Kanagawa Prefecture near the Hayakawa River in a mountainous area. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven terrain as the site sits on a steep mountain passage.
The shelter was more than a functional transportation element and stands as one of the first examples of reinforced concrete engineering applied to mountain protection in Japan. Engineers today regard its construction as a milestone in the development of modern safety technologies.
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