宇都宮市水道今市水系第六號接合井, Water junction building in Utsunomiya, Japan.
The Utsunomiya Imaichi Water System No. 6 Junction is an octagonal brick structure built on concrete foundations with a footprint of about 17 square meters. This junction point connects and regulates pressure in the water pipes that move through the city's municipal distribution network.
The building was constructed in 1915 during the Taisho period when the city was developing its modern water supply system. It became part of a broader infrastructure project that delivered water to outlying areas of the city and beyond.
The structure shows a blend of Western castle-style design mixed with local Oya stone and red bricks, representing how the city combined foreign influences with local materials in its early industrial period. Visitors walking past notice this unusual architectural combination that reflects the era when Japan was adopting new technologies from abroad.
The structure is located in an accessible area and can be spotted from nearby streets. Visitors should be aware of uneven ground around the building and wear appropriate footwear when getting closer.
This junction is one of the few water stations in the area that has survived all natural disasters since the 1950s without damage. Other similar structures nearby were destroyed or damaged during earthquakes and floods, making this one exceptional.
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