NAME

The Royal House

LOCATION

Secret (as promised to the person who shared it with me).

BACKGROUND

This abandoned house is a place full of stories, which has ended up a victim of its own fame.

The house was originally bought by a English gentleman and his Japanese wife, as a present to her mother. The family seems to have had quite a lot of fun there—a happy house it must have been.

My first visit was in 2010, when this haikyo was still newly discovered. During these two years, with the stories spreading further and further, the state of the house has deteriorated incredibly. The house has shouldered too much history alone for too long. Maybe it’s the right time to let natural decay put an end to it all.

ACCESS

In the middle of the woods and the mountains.
A picturesque waterfall can be found in the same area, and it’s
also a fine spot for autumn leaves.

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
The Royal House: “華麗なる一族” and
The Royal House: A Journey to the Past on Totoro Times.

NAME

Bungomori Roundhouse

LOCATION

Kyushu.

BACKGROUND

The old Bungomori Roundhouse is now a tourist spot of Bungomori City. It was originally a garage for SL trains including a turntable platform in the middle to direct trains.

Nowadays, the government has nicely arranged an extremely bright lighting effect so that people can see it from afar at night. But with barely anything else in the city, the attraction has not attracted much.

With few people around and scanty protection, this is a highly accessible for the urban explorer.

ACCESS

You will find this haikyo very easily right next to the Bungomori Train Station.

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
The Bungomory Roundhouse on Haikyo.org.

NAME

Maya Hotel

LOCATION

Kobe

BACKGROUND

Most people know Maya hotel for its beautiful hexagonal room that bathes in gentle light on a sunny afternoon. Some know it for the airplane tire dropped from the sky, which went through the roof and landed on the patio. And others, only the elite of haikyo adventurers, know Maya for the ghosts which reside there, many still dressed in their waiters’ uniforms.

A steep trail leads to the hotel, which could be hard work on a rainy day or in the burning summer sun.

ACCESS

It is located next to the Maya Ropeway. Look up, you cannot miss it! Then you might have to go for a good long hike, or maybe there is a faster way?

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
The Maya Hotel on Haikyo.org.

NAME

The Doctor’s Shack

LOCATION

Nagoya.

BACKGROUND

Many haikyo photographers rank this as one of their favorite spots. It is one of those typical Japanese wooden clinics, abandoned in a little wood, next to a half-abandoned looking shrine with a pleasant river that runs at the foot of it. When we paid our visit, it was summer and the mosquitoes attacked us crazily. But the whole ambiance was so peaceful that we simply could not stop pressing the shutter. There was a big display full of brown glass medicine bottles that got us very excited. The second floor was, unfortunately, too destroyed to approach.

ACCESS

This location is secret. All we can say is that it is very close to a shrine and a beautiful river.

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
The Doctor’s Shack on Haikyo.org.

NAME

Gunkanjima, Hashima Island

LOCATION

Nagasaki (Kyushu).

BACKGROUND

Hashima Island has two nicknames: Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) and Prison Island. The first nickname is because of its haunted battleship looking appearance. Among explorers this nickname has become much more popular than its original name.

The second nickname, Prison Island, references the severe working conditions on the island when it was a major coal mining facility during Japan’s industrialization, as well as the forcible use of Korean workers during World War II. The population on Hashima Island peaked in 1959 at 5,259, with a population density of 835 people per hectare. At the same time, the demand for coal was rapidly decreasing and in 1974, the whole island was abandoned.

Walking among the buildings, the huge concrete apartment blocks—the first-ever built in Japan—are tall and futuristic. Stairways which connected the buildings hang in the air, and the whole construction is so complicated that you always end up somewhere unexpected.

Unfortunately, nowadays the only way to get on Gunkanjima is through the official tour. And for safety reasons, you can only have a remote peek of the buildings from the outside.

ACCESS

Nagasaki. From Tokyo, seven and a half hours by train (¥25,000) to Nagasaki. Tour boats can be found at Nagasaki Port, which cost ¥4,000. Advance booking is recommended.

SOURCE

Photos and text by Jordy Meow.
The Gunkanjima Odyssey on Totoro Times.
Gunkanjima on Haikyo.org.

NAME

Seika Dormitory

LOCATION

Tokyo.

BACKGROUND

If you assume haikyo are always in the deep mountains, you will be surprised to read about this Seika Dormitory (精華寮) in the middle of Tokyo. It was looking quite ruined after the whole place caught on fire a couple of years ago. The amount of personal belongings left inside is so impressively large that you can reconstruct every single tenant’s life and make a novel out of it easily. My favorite is probably the composer, who left behind his piano and all his music notes. This place is also famous for its resemblance of Block 65 of Gunkanjima.

ACCESS

This haikyo is a bit secret, but it is located somewhere in central Tokyo, and therefore not very difficult to find.

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
The Seika Dormitory on Haikyo.org.

NAME

Kuroshio Inn

LOCATION

Awaji Island.

BACKGROUND

This haikyo is located on a beautiful island in Shigoku. A short hike on an abandoned hill was required to reach this place. On the way, you are very likely to encounter wild boars, deers, cats and all sorts animals. Once you have finally reached the abandoned hotel, you are rewarded with a wonderful view of the sea and a nice breeze. The photo spot of this place is the restaurant downstairs, with colourful lights and armchairs.

ACCESS

At the top of some little mountain, on the East side of the Awaji Island. Look up, and you will find it.

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
Kuroshio Inn Haikyo on Haikyo.org.

NAME

Shiraishi Mine

LOCATION

Mie Prefecture.

BACKGROUND

Shiraishi is a haikyo that definitely worth more than 1 visits. Especially if you read carefully through its history and observe closely its structure and design. But even by just looking at the appearance of it, you will not be disappointed; the mine from far away looks quite impressive being completely covered by vegetation, just like the places appear in your nightmare. But if you step inside, you will be taken into a heavenly dream where everything is purely white. If you are interested in more than just the appearance, check with the name “Shiraishi Industry Kuwana Factory” to get a better understanding of this haikyo.

ACCESS

Somewhere in the middle of Mie Prefecture. It is not very hard to find as it is a well known mine.

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
Shiraishi Mine: An Endless Discovery on Totoro Times.

NAME

Nara Dreamland

LOCATION

Nara

BACKGROUND

Nara dreamland is a famous haikyo for all the urban explorers in the world. After all, not many amusement parks of this size are abandoned with everything inside. And of course as a result it is heavily guarded, if you get caught, be prepared for the 100,000 JPY fine. The best attraction of Nara dreamland is the wooden roller coaster ‘Aska’. It was the biggest wooden roller coaster in Japan. The real fun for this kind of roller coaster is the vibration and the sound when you are on it. Even after its being abandoned, Aska remains the most popular destination for all ‘visitors’.

ACCESS

An abandoned attraction park around Nara? It seems that is very easy to find.

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
Nara Dreamland on Totoro Times.

NAME

Namezawa School

LOCATION

Yamanashi Prefecture.

BACKGROUND

Namezawa School was one of our favorite destinations. It was next to a bamboo forest and a beautiful valley. The school is typically abandoned when the village around became uninhabited. The unusual part of this school is that the inside of it was so not abandoned, as if the students simply went away for a long summer holiday. Just as we were planning another visit to this lovely wooden school, it simply disappeared, as if it has never been there before. Some says the school has been ‘relocated’…Let me know if you come across it somewhere else.

ACCESS

Used to be in Yamanashi Prefecture, near Mt. Fuji. Has been probably moved to a new location by its previous (now really old) students.

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
Namezawa School on Haikyo.

NAME

Matsuo Mine

LOCATION

Hachimantai, Iwate

BACKGROUND

Once the biggest sulfur mine in Japan, Matsuo Mine used to employ over 10,000 people in the mid-20th century. To improve the working conditions for its employees, concrete apartment blocks were built well before they became popular in Japan. Inside they had flush toilets and central heating, as well as a huge communal bath. Unfortunately, this modern metropolis did not last long. The mine closed down in 1976, everyone left and all the wooden buildings were burned, leaving only the concrete structures and the sanitation team.

ACCESS

From Tokyo, seven hours by car. Tohoku Express Way, Hachimentai Exit then follow the Matsuo signs.
By train follow:

• Tokyo – JR Shinkansen Hayate 25 (2.5hrs)
• Morioka – IGR Iwate Ginga Tetsudo (50min)
• Kitamori – walk to Matsuo Hachimantai, Iwate (15min) to Matsuo
• Total cost: ¥14,590

SOURCE

Photos by Jordy Meow and text by Jing Meow.
Haunting Silence of Tohoku Mines on Totoro Times.

Name: Sports World
Location: Izunokuni-shi, Shizuoka
Background: This large-scale amusement and sports complex opened in 1988 at the height of Bubble era prosperity. The park featured a giant wave pool, water slides, putting greens and other attractions, but its middle-of-nowhere location proved to be a handicap. Sports World shut its doors in 1993 and began its transformation into a well-known ruin—one that’s scheduled to be demolished within the next year.
Access: Approximately three hours from Tokyo by train.

Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral” (http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral), a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.

Location: Bungyomachi, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa

Background: Opened in 1963, IMH was Japan’s first motel—and the predecessor to the modern love hotel. It was built along a national highway at a time when Japan was fast becoming a car-oriented society, and the site has come to be seen as a symbol of that era.

Access: Iburihashi, Kaga-shi. It takes about five hours from Tokyo to Iburihashi station on the Nozomi or Hikari shinkansen and local JR lines.

Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral” (http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral), a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.

Name: Camp Drake
Location: Asaka City, Saitama
Background: This haikyo spot is one of many former American bases around Tokyo. Originally a golf club, it became the site of an army uniform factory during World War II, and was subsequently used as a training camp by the US army. After being returned to Japan in the ’60s, its buildings were redeveloped as a library, school and SDF training camp. Japanese rock band Alfee played an outdoor show there in 1989, and a summer matsuri was held in 1995. Today, there are a few buildings scattered around the otherwise vacant field, buried deep in ivy like ruins in a rainforest.
Access: Take the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro to Asaka (about 20min) and walk towards the Central Community Center.

Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral” (http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral), a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.

Name: Hotel Kotei

Location: Kochi, Shikoku

Background: Not much is known about the history of this former love hotel, but the remnants of its past glories have proven irresistible to haikyo enthusiasts. Empty, leaf-strewn pools, plush red sofas and circular beds give a slightly creepy atmosphere of faded luxury.

Access: Take the shinkansen to Okayama, then change to the Nanpu limited express (about 6 hours total)

Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral” (http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral), a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.

Name: Nagano Korean Elementary and Junior High School

Location: Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture

Background: This decaying structure was the home to Korean schools from 1971 to 1999, when the campus moved to a newer building elsewhere in the city. Traipse through the gymnasium with its graffiti-covered walls and streamers lying abandoned on the floor, remnants of past school festivities.

Access: Approximately three and a half hours from Shinjuku, via the JR Super Azusa line.

Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral” (http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral), a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.

Name: Russia Mura

Location: Agano-shi, Niigata

Background: This Russian-themed amusement park opened in the early ’90s just as the Japanese economy was crashing. “Attractions” like Cossack dance performances, a mammoth skeleton and a replica of a Russian church weren’t enough to lure the crowds, and the park soon fell into disrepair. In 2003, it was closed for the winter season and, without any financial respite in sight, the shutdown became permanent. It is now a popular haikyo spot, all the more so since several buildings were destroyed in a fire last year.

Access: Take the Ban-etsu Expressway to Yasuda Interchange, then 15 minutes on Route 290

Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral” (http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral), a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.

Name: Inujima Refinery
Location: Seto Inland Sea, Okayama Prefecture
Background: Located on one of the many islands of the Seto Inland Sea, Inujima Refinery was one of several facilities established to support the prospering copper industry. Opened in 1909, it would only see ten years of service, due to a collapse in the value of copper. The many stores, homes and offices built on Inujima reflect the promising future that copper once had during its glory years. What’s left is a unique industrial landscape created by the remnants of the refinery’s past.
Access: Take a bus from Okayama station to
Hodenko Port, then a ferry to Inujima island.
Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral” (http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral), a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.