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In Kochi Prefecture, there is a rare point where 133 degrees 33 minutes 33 seconds north latitude and 33 degrees 33 minutes 33 seconds east longitude. It is called by its nickname “Chikyu 33 banchi (the Earth Block 33).”

Photo by t-chan

According to geographers, there are only 9 spots where the 12 same numbers line on land in the whole world (4 in Africa, 2 in Russia, 1 in Sumatra, 1 in Australia, and 1 in Japan).

Most of them are situated in desert or wide plains where they are hard to access, and “Chikyu 33 banchi” is the only place you can get by usual transportation system.

The 33 point is in the Enokuchi River flowing Kochi city. Because the river is polluted with household wastewater, the local people put their hearts into environmental improvement activity.

On March 3, 2010 20th Chikyu 33 banchi commemoration ceremony was held, and they cleaned the area for 33 minutes, ate “33 hotpot” with 33 ingredients, and enjoyed the local 3rd grade students’ singing performance.

Source: Chikyu33 (Japanese)

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