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Nov 07 2008 10 Comments

Nitchitsu mining town haikyo #3: Home sweet home

After a detour through Nitchitsu mining town’s doctor’s office, and then a peek at how the long gone residents once played, the last thing to do is look at their lodgings. A path that, starting off at the top of the town, began with some surprisingly well preserved apartments, indicating that they were vacated later than many of the other places, or alternatively were briefly returned to at a later date.

Yet that said, the last time they were used was still well before Japan had mastered the art of miniaturising music players,

Nitchitsu mining town

and way before CDs were even considered, let alone called for.

Nitchitsu mining town

Still, just like today, televisions were an integral part of the home, although perhaps not in this rather immoderate, almost Elvis-esque manner. 

Nitchitsu mining town

But, with no satellite or cable, the meagre amount of channels obviously had to be supplemented somewhat; however, some of the choices were more than a bit suspect to say the least. And, should you want to, you can see a picture of someone’s personal collection here, but it should be stressed that it is decidedly disgusting and definitely not safe for work — or indeed what could be deemed as ideal before dinner. Plus, erm, animal lovers may want to look away. Or not as the case may be. 

Anyway, moving further down the mountain and far away from such material, the ageing process begins to become more prominent, yet there is still a strange sense that many people left only yesterday. At the last minute.

Nitchitsu mining town

And in more than a bit of a rush.

Nitchitsu mining town

Meaning they had to leave lots of belongings behind.

Nitchitsu mining town

However, dolls or no dolls, domiciles still begin to deteriorate,

Nitchitsu mining town

and when nature starts to take over,

Nitchitsu mining town

nothing it seems,

Nitchitsu mining town

can stop the wearing effects of weeds and the weather,

Nitchitsu mining town

not even wardrobes.

Nitchitsu mining town

And as such, these apartments and some other parts of the town may unfortunately not last much longer.

Nitchitsu mining town

Which would be sad to say the least.

If you haven’t seen them already, and you feel like having a look, here are links to Part 1: A visit to the doctors, and Part 2: A day in the life.

Categorized: Haikyo, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mastermind says

    11/7/2008 at 6:20 pm

    nice to see a ghetto blaster again. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Bunny says

    11/7/2008 at 7:31 pm

    Really nice images and story, Lee! I SOOO want to go there.

    Reply
  3. Namazu says

    11/7/2008 at 10:58 pm

    Fantastic photos! I’m reminded of ghost towns of the Mojave of my youth (preserved much longer due to climate, of course).

    Reply
  4. busted says

    11/7/2008 at 11:11 pm

    It’s so obvious those rooms haven’t been touched in such a long time. Animal Perversion! Are you kidding me? Animal Perversion 27 is sooooooo much better!!

    Reply
  5. Jason says

    11/8/2008 at 12:00 am

    Nice bookend post Lee.

    I felt the same way you did when I was there, that these people left in a hurry. I can’t imagine not even putting away bedding! And to leave stereos and TVs behind, just hard to understand, but I guess when the bus driver says we’re oscar mike he means it.

    There was one teacher’s residence we went into that had a Â¥10,000 VHS adult video in it. Can’t imagine paying that much for sensored porn, but I guess back in the day, and when in Gunma, one has to pay or go dry.

    Reply
  6. Paul says

    11/8/2008 at 12:36 am

    Great set of pics, man. Really quite spooky.

    Reply
  7. Shane says

    11/9/2008 at 4:00 pm

    Great images once again and a great series. Your words really add to the story and it must indeed be a strange feeling to see all that was left behind. Some of the furniture looked as if it was quite nice and possibly valuable in it’s day.

    Reply
  8. japanese words says

    3/10/2009 at 12:44 pm

    It is kind of sad to see that it has all gone to waste, but also kind of cool as ell. It’s like finding a lost treasure.

    Reply
  9. japanese words says

    3/10/2009 at 12:48 pm

    Great pictures.It used to use a phone just like that as a kid….I actually kind of miss it now.

    Reply

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