Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 3 hrs ago
Kobe tunnel used in 'Death Note' to become data center
Kobe will lease about three kilometers of a disused tunnel in the city's Nishi Ward for a data center.
The tunnel once carried soil to the coast for land reclamation, and its operations ended in 2005.
A group including Mitsui Fudosan won the lease and plans to install containerized data centers there.
The company says it will be Japan's first commercial data center in an existing tunnel, with operations planned to begin in 2027.
The underground site stays cool and is considered earthquake-resistant, features that can help address the heat and safety needs of data centers.
Demand for data centers is growing as artificial intelligence spreads, while the tunnel has also been used as a filming location for productions including 'Death Note.'
Other sections of the tunnel will remain available for filming, and the lease is expected to last 10 to 20 years.
Kobe plans to lease about 3 kilometers of a disused mountain tunnel to a group including Mitsui Fudosan for use as a data center.
The group plans to install containerized data centers and begin operating them in 2027.
The tunnel is more than 40 meters underground and stays between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
The site has also been used as a filming location, including for “Death Note” and “City Hunter.”
The lease is expected to run for 10 to 20 years.
- Who
- Kobe Municipal Government will lease the tunnel section to a group including Mitsui Fudosan.
- What
- The group plans to use it as a data center. It will be Japan’s first commercial data center to use an existing tunnel, according to the company.
- When
- Operations are planned to begin in 2027.
- Where
- In a disused tunnel in the mountains of Nishi Ward, Kobe, western Japan.
- Why
- The tunnel’s size, location and cool temperatures make it suitable for data centers, whose cooling needs are substantial.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Soil was carried through the tunnel by conveyor belt for land reclamation, with operations ending in 2005.
A scene for “City Hunter” was filmed in the former conveyor-belt tunnel.
The tunnel was used in a streaming production of “City Hunter.
Kobe announced plans to lease about 3 kilometers of the tunnel for a data center.
The group plans to begin operating the data centers.
- Tunnel section
- About 3 kilometers, covering about 17,000 square meters
- Annual rent
- About 7.6 million yen
- Lease term
- Expected to be 10 to 20 years
- Tunnel temperature
- 15 to 20 degrees Celsius
- Data center operator group
- Includes Tokyo-based Mitsui Fudosan Co.
What people are saying
We are pleased that this historic facility will be used for a new initiative.