FEATURE: Japan's giant landslide defenses become unlikely tourist draws

KOCHI, Japan - Massive underground tunnels, towering erosion control dams and other disaster prevention infrastructure are attracting growing numbers of tourists in Japan, as communities turn landslide protection projects into unlikely sightseeing destinations.

The initiatives are helping to revitalize rural communities while raising awareness about the dangers of landslides and debris flows, particularly as heavy rain disasters become increasingly frequent. Participants are also embracing the chance to explore places rarely accessible to the public.