Abandoned homes in particular have a quiet poignance that is genuinely touching. Spaces and long-left belongings that tell of lives lived and likely also lost. Hotels, on the other hand, are often interesting due to their dated decor, along with a sense of faded glamour and increasingly distant holiday memories.
The structure below, however, was very different. Vandalism, and the truly massive damage caused by time and the environment, made for scenes that were way more post-apocalyptic than poignant. That decay, along with the remnants of human life, made it incredibly interesting to explore, plus the grey and cold conditions matched the similarly bleak interiors.
Opening in 1960, the hotel was clearly quite something when looking at the brochure — the comparisons with its current state being striking to say the least — but the presence of small, portable TVs even though it didn’t close until 2002, suggest its decline was a long and gradual one. A lack of modernisation that would have resulted in a similar decline in visitor numbers, making renovation funding even more difficult to find. Add to that changing tourism trends over its lifespan, and closure was probably the only realistic outcome, culminating in the shocking, but also truly fascinating scenes below.
Sean says
Man these are super cool. I’d love to explore somewhere like this. So awesome!
Lee says
Thanks a lot. It was quite the place that’s for sure. A totally unexpected find too which made it all the better.
DavidB says
Wow.
I know Haikyo explorers never reveal where they find the buildings, and while I’m not one, I’m not going to betray the secret. However, I totally know where this hotel is, and walking in front of it kinda give me the creeps. The most disturbing thing is the smell coming out of it, that I can only describe as “rotting plastic.” (I don’t know what the smell actually is, but that’s the feeling it gives me)
Lee says
Ah, no way. I didn’t know anything about it, so a very unexpected surprise. Didn’t notice the smell so much, but it was really cold and windy, so that perhaps kept the odours at bay somewhat.
cdilla says
Wow. Quite the disaster area. The addition of the brochure/poster photographs really amplifies the eeriness of the place.
Something in the way that phone is strewn recalls your photograph of the prone young man having failed to reach the convenience. The phone looks desolate in its failed attempt to escape.
Lee says
Yeah, it’s in a pretty bad state to say the least. But yes, those brochure photos really add a lot. A truly shocking decline.
That’s so true. Gives me a new way of looking at it. Was really good to find such scenes amidst all the devastation.
Linda says
I’ve been feeling lately like I’ve kind of lost my taste for photos of haikyo (maybe because they’re just one more sad thing on top of everything else these days) but being able to compare these to the photos of the place in its glory really takes this to another level. very interesting
Lee says
I can appreciate that. For me they are still interesting as they are from a very different time, so they feel utterly disconnected from the present. But yeah, the comparisons with the brochure photos are fascinating. Really pleased I could add those.
Curtis says
I agree. Having the brochure photos helps it tell more of a story rather than just being aesthetic art. Most other haikyo post from people are pretty meh. Give me a story!
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Yeah, hotels don’t usually say a great deal, but those brochures added another element. Very glad there were some still lying around.
Octavio says
Absolutely riveting. Thank you for sharing.
Lee says
Thanks a lot, and you are very welcome. Glad I got the chance to take these photos.
scruffy says
Another interesting set of photos. Panty room. Hmmmm…