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Nov 19 2008 8 Comments

High up haikyo: Crumbling Japanese cable cars

The bounty of abandoned buildings at Nitchitsu mining town may well be hard to fathom, at least in regards to the amount of furniture that still fills them, but at the same time, it’s fairly clear that the mine’s eventual lack of minerals brought the once robust community to an inescapable, if admittedly rather quick, close.

In the case of the ill-fated cable car construction in Okutama, however, failure may well have been due to mere folly rather than misfortune.

Okutama cable car haikyo

Opening its doors in October 1961, the idea was to presumably attract some of the teeming number of Tokyoites wanting a trip out of town without the hassle of having to travel too far. Yet regardless of how popular this area may be in autumn — with camera carrying crowds feverishly clamouring for photos of the foliage — the rest of the year it’s mainly the haunt of hikers looking for a long walk rather than a lift over the lake.

Okutama cable car haikyo

Especially as it’s only a quick one stop hop over what seems to be the narrowest wedge of water.

Okutama cable car haikyo

Meaning that while the entrance is presumably far worse for wear than it once was,

Okutama cable car haikyo

the ticket gates,

Okutama cable car haikyo

waiting area,

Okutama cable car haikyo

and washrooms probably haven’t seen much of a variation in visitors.

Okutama cable car haikyo

Leaving the place forever cold,

Okutama cable car haikyo

covered,

Okutama cable car haikyo

and conspicuously quiet.

Okutama cable car haikyo

Categorized: Haikyo

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paul says

    11/19/2008 at 11:01 pm

    This set of pics has been awesome. More please.

    Reply
  2. ColB says

    11/19/2008 at 11:12 pm

    Totally agree. More please!

    Reply
  3. thejapaneseeye says

    11/19/2008 at 11:16 pm

    Hey Lee, this one is on my list and I was considering it at the end of this month before it gets to cold, how did you get up there? Is it close to Miyamabashi?? Any info appreciated – JE

    Reply
  4. Lee says

    11/19/2008 at 11:38 pm

    I’m glad the haikyo pics are popular. I just wish there were loads of these places nearby to explore, as I’d like more too.

    I drove up there thejapaneseeye, and parked right near where the entrance used to be. It’s a bit overgrown now, but it’s not that difficult clambering up the slope. In fact, that’s the case with both the stations.

    I don’t know where Miyamabashi is I’m afraid, but if you can get to Okutama Lake, then you can get to the cable car haikyo. Although if you are going by train, it’ll probably involve a bus journey and a walk. Possibly a long one of the latter.

    Reply
  5. Jason says

    11/20/2008 at 7:09 pm

    Lee….I like the shot of the two sinks. Nice composition and just something about it says haikyo to me.

    Would you mind telling me which lens you used for that shot? I assume it was at least a f/2.8 lens of some kind? I’m in the market to add another fast lens to my collection.

    Reply
  6. Lee says

    11/20/2008 at 7:55 pm

    Cheers Jason. Somehow, I always come away with loads of toilet/bathroom pics.

    I use the Nikon 18-200 mm. And, as I don’t like carrying too much stuff and always take the camera cycling with me, it’s the perfect multipurpose lens.

    Reply
  7. locohama says

    11/22/2008 at 6:30 pm

    Wow, awesome pictures dude. Gotta get myself a camera one of these days. Every time I get ready to get one, it gets outdated (-:

    Loco

    Reply
  8. Eric D says

    11/23/2008 at 10:51 am

    Looks like the set of a Japanese horror movie…..very eerie

    Reply

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