Cool way to explore Osaka's history

A curtain of mist cools visitors using steps from the tower of Osaka Castle in the city's Chuo Ward on Friday. A 30-meter misting system was installed to help tourists beat the heat after the city received complaints that the 15-minute walk from nearby train stations was leaving people drenched with sweat. The misting system will operate through Oct. 17, costing about 3,800 yen per month in water charges. The fine spray absorbs the heat as it vaporizes and lowers ambient temperatures by 2 to 3 degrees. About 1.38 million people visited the castle tower in fiscal 2007. The Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau introduced the system as part of a municipal green project to help curb the city's heat-island effect.(IHT/Asahi: July 19,2008)