Tokyo's "Underground Flood Temple" is the Real Life Backrooms

Japan, unlike some countries that will go unnamed, is prepared for floods. One of the ways the country does this is through “flood tunnels” — a series of temple-like spaces that can divert water away from civilian areas.

While the idea itself is great, the spaces themselves are almost otherworldly, giving you that same surreal discomfort that can be felt in the “backrooms” images. Looking around, you might wonder, what is this place? Who built it? Why have we found ourselves here?

If you want the real answers, there’s a BBC article, but if you just want to vibe, explore this video tour of these bizarre spaces: