Finding old and dilapidated properties in Japan isn’t exactly unusual, but this whole street of crumbling, collapsed and almost entirely abandoned nagaya (row houses) is a genuine rarity.
Speaking to a man who lives in a far more modern residence a few metres down from where the old ones stop, it turns out that the small, traditional homes were built before the war, and in the 25 years or so he’s lived in the area, the nagaya have gradually emptied. A slow process that has resulted in just one inhabitant remaining. An elderly man who uses two of the structures — one for general living, and the other for the benefit of its bathing facilities. However, somewhat surprisingly, it wasn’t just ageing residents, as it turns out some young people stayed there too over the years, with the lure of cheap rent presumably making the properties far more desirable than they would have been otherwise.
That though was then, and this is now, with their considerable decay and abandonment meaning the houses likely won’t survive the simple passage of time, let alone the wrecking ball.
YesterdaysHero says
Incredible documents, Lee. What a time capsule. Thanks for sharing these.
Lee says
Thanks a lot and you are very welcome. It was such a fascinating place to see and shoot. And yes, it really was like stepping back in time.
Arne says
The mailboxes are stunning.
Lee says
They really are. I have such a soft spot for those old Japanese mailboxes, and these ones didn’t disappoint in the slightest.
cdilla says
Wow. What a place. It must have been an almost eerie experience. It would be hard to suppress the sighs and sounds of decades gone intruding upon your daydreams. Thanks as ever to sharing the glimpse and recording the moment.
Lee says
You are very welcome, and yeah, it really was quite the experience. Unlike anywhere I’ve ever photographed. Like you said, so much life went on there, so it was impossible not to wonder what went on between all those walls.
linda says
Wow wow wow. That’s an old kamado stove in the fifth one?? These are amazing.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. And yeah, that’s an old stove. A real surprise to say the least. The only house that had one, and the smoke blackened walls all around it were incredible.
scruffy says
The older I get the more I find things like that stove really appeal to me. Don’t beep, don’t try to read my mind, I’ll start the fire, you just provide a place for the fire and hold the pot level while I cook. That’s all I want.
Lee says
That’s a very good point. Not sure I’d go quite as basic as that stove, but I know exactly what you mean.
john says
Quite possibly both eerie and nosey. My family had de Kays Catalogues (mail order) for a while. They were quite sniffy even when new, but nothing like those old mats and piles of newspapers on a warm day I suspect. Lots of ivy but a low rusting cycle count on these ones!
Lee says
Weirdly the house with all the newspapers didn’t smell bad at all. Admittedly not nice, but been in far worse. The hole in the roof did provide ample ventilation though. And yeah, only saw one rusting bicycle. An unusually low number.
Damien says
Thanks for posting these Lee. Green nature again taking over spaces and places once inhabited by humans. A tell-tale sign that a townhouse has been abandoned and is no longer occupied, even when it may not be clear from the presentable well-maintained facade, is that the electricity meter that was contained from the elements within the beige-coloured cover, has been completely removed by the power company. In a sense, it’s like the beating heart has been ripped out, and the place has no ticker left. The light and shade of these interior shots is both poignant and aesthetically pleasing.
Lee says
You are very welcome. Finding this was without a doubt the highlight of a recent short trip.
That’s so true about the meter being removed, and yeah, those interiors were very special. I got lucky with cloudy conditions, making the light much softer.