Haikyo

Love hotels and especially hospitals make for much better haikyo, but whereas businesses simply go bankrupt, somebody abandoning their abode is far more mysterious — and immeasurably more melancholy.

Like this rather pitiful looking place for example.

As, while it may be way out by the woods, it presumably still cost a pretty penny, and more importantly was a home, possibly even a sweet one, for somebody. But now its views of the mountains are sadly masked by the overgrown garden,

which has also wormed its way inside.

And, after working one’s way through,

the place reveals that its shoji screens,

and a bit of the wall,

are decidedly decrepit. As is the nearby shed.

Which, while laughably still locked,

boasts only a bicycle. The owner having presumably left by a different means of transport.

Whatever that may have been.

In part 1 (go here for a gander), the lower floors of Keishin Hospital’s abandoned shell offered little apart from dereliction and destruction, but higher up, the building’s wall-cum-canvases are a genuine goldmine of graffiti,

with a varied collection of characters peering out from the plaster,

and at the same time presenting little in the way of privacy.

However, this focus on the human form,

soon turns to more faithful reproductions, with faces,

and especially foreign ones,

being most favoured.

Plus, the female figure in particular,

is a firm favourite.

Although despite seeing a different drawing at each turn, the biggest surprise of the whole hospital haikyo was the appearance of some rather more real faces.

(click images for grander-sized graffiti)

*Huge thanks to Mike in Japan for kindly supplying a map to the hospital, and, needless to say, his own hike round the ruin is well worth a look.

Japan’s fondness for fads and its ferocious rate of redevelopment means that there’s always the chance of finding some ruined buildings to have a rummage around in. Hence perhaps the popularity of haikyo (ruins) in Japan, and Tokyo Times recent chance to have a look around a long-abandoned love hotel.

Also, as luck would have it, the aforementioned accommodation is almost next door to a similarly rotting restaurant, where tight-lipped lovers perhaps lunched;

the eatery’s personal rooms once perfect for those after a little privacy.

Something they now sadly offer in abundance,

providing the dust,

and the debris isn’t too disconcerting.

And while a few restorative drinks may once have been required,

they are probably now best avoided,

as the lavatory is definitely lacking in luxury.

(click images for higher-res haikyo)

Perhaps due to the mindboggling pace at which buildings go up (and indeed down) in Japan, there are plenty of abandoned lots liberally dotted around the landscape. Which, with their eerie emptiness, are much sought after spots for the curious and camera equipped alike.

Known as haikyo (ruins), their popularity among certain circles is growing, with numerous websites boasting fabulously atmospheric photos, along with several books by photographer Shinichiro Kobayashi. And, not wanting to be left out, Tokyo Times has now jumped on the abandoned building bandwagon with a suitably second-rate saunter around a languishing love hotel.

Having taped up the sign and fenced off the building, the departing owners then simply left everything else to either rot,

or be ransacked.

That said, the rooms themselves still hint at their previous purpose,

although now, whether it be either a long or short stay,

there’s no beer in the minibar,

and calls to restock it remain unanswered.

Similarly, the mass of mirrors reflect only the decidedly dated decor,

rather than any cloak-and-dagger decadence.

Apart from that depicted on the walls that is.