The Kanazawa Station Fountain Clock displays the time using controlled fountains of water. Located just outside the gate to the city’s train station, it’s more than just a clock – the valving that forms the clock’s numeric digits is also used to spell out text messages in both Japanese and English. See photos and video here: inventorspot.com.
More images: www.google.com
Here’s a longer article about the clock: news.softpedia.com.
This photo gives an idea of how the water jets form the characters.
And, in Osaka, a different technology is being used to create images using water. “The attraction, located in the South Gate Building of the new Osaka Station City complex, is a large rectangular water display created by local firm Koei Industry. The ‘Space Printer’ emits illuminated water droplets in carefully controlled patterns to reproduce images that are stored on a PC. Founded in 1987, Koei has produced entertainment fountains and landscape displays in various cities in Japan.” Read more, and see a vid, at www.cnet.com.