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I Explored A Spa In Japan Abandoned Since The 1990s (12 Pics)
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I Explored A Spa In Japan Abandoned Since The 1990s (12 Pics)

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No trip to Japan would be complete without a trip to a traditional Japanese bathhouse called an onsen. Japanese onsens conjure up images of relaxing in warm waters, sipping green tea against a backdrop of cherry blossom trees.

The alkaline-rich spa waters of this region are claimed to ease rheumatism. As a consequence of these medicinal properties, numerous onsens and hotels sprung up in the 1940s. For many years these hotels were filled to capacity, as over 3 million tourists flocked here every year. The business was booming!

These looming concrete tower blocks continued to be built. They eventually lined both sides of the river, destroying the previously picturesque natural beauty. In attempting to capitalize on the flocking tourists, these huge ugly buildings acted to drive them away. The final contributing factor to the demise of this and other hotels was a local financial collapse in the 1990s. The economic bubble had now, truly burst.

Now the hotel, like its counterparts, lies in ruins. The exterior is crumbling and choked with weeds. The large bathhouse pool in the basement is empty. The hotel rooms are damp and smell of mold, the floor beneath the tatami mats collapsing. I had to tread carefully in the bedrooms, to avoid falling through the floor!

More info: obsidianurbexphotography.com | Instagram | twitter.com | Facebook

Basement bathhouse

The walkway leading to the outside pool

Broken windows in the bathhouse

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This window looked down onto the river

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Bedroom with dead leaves

Sitting room and balcony

Decaying traditional Japanese bedroom

Basement spa reception

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Other 1940s concrete hotels

Small doll in a display box

Weeds choked the pool

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Concrete 1940s spa hotel exterior

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shaynameidela avatar
Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So much wasted space. In so many big cities in Japan people live in literally closet-sized spaces. Too bad these arent restored and people could telecommute.

juliehanford avatar
aarsyregmi avatar
ember avery
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

honestly i still see beauty in it right now, i can't imagine how elegant it looked when it was in use

Load More Replies...
j_willartisticwilldesigns avatar
J. Will ArtisticWillDesigns
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The word Onsen brings to mind tranquility, beautiful surrounding with soothing healing waters, but these images are heaŕt breaking. It's so sad that the deterioration has overtaken the building beyond restoration. Japan needs high power investors to revitalise it back to it's former elegance & help Japan's tourism.

jeffcicale avatar
JeffC
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These pictures are nothing short of amazing....excellent composition! There's something special about photographing abandoned locations; hoping to get into the Dixie Cup factory once the quarantine is over.

janinependleton avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks Jeff 😄. Ah man, I tried the Dixie Cup place but we had to bail due to time and a poorly placed cop car. There is a nice pottery near me in England, it's called "Falcon Works" https://www.obsidianurbexphotography.com/industrial/falcon-works-pottery-england/ which looks very similar 😄

Load More Replies...
kha_duong_1 avatar
K. aka letmeplaywithkittens
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do we prepare to visit these abandoned buildings? Do we need any special gear, skills, or permission? What do we look out for?

janinependleton avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My top pieces of advice is: think safety! First, always make sure someone knows where you are (who is not with you!. Second, relating to the first, bring someone with you. In this hotel I explored with my friend, as is usual for me. We don't stick together as such. One good strategy we use is split up on a floor, then meet back at the stairs. We discuss what we have found, then swap areas. Then we move to the next floor together. We find this is a good mix of allowing us space to enjoy photographing in our own way, but also we know which was to head to find the other person if needed. Thirdly, pay attention to your surroundings. Check the state of the floor and ceiling as you move along corridors and into rooms. Good high-ankle walking boots with good soles to protect from anything sharp you might miss. Had a run-in with a nail and a board in an abandoned Japanese mining village, thankfully I had good shoes!

Load More Replies...
stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

moonbug avatar
moon bug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It says the hotel opened in the 1940s and closed in the 1990s. Do you think they never purchased anything new for the hotel (such as newer tvs and bottles of lotion) in the 50 years that is was open?

Load More Replies...
chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a shame. I hope a company or wealthy person will buy it and restore it.

umutgklp avatar
emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kawataro is the demon that's said to reside there. They even have a figure of it in one of the lobbies of the hotels.

Load More Replies...
shaynameidela avatar
Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So much wasted space. In so many big cities in Japan people live in literally closet-sized spaces. Too bad these arent restored and people could telecommute.

juliehanford avatar
aarsyregmi avatar
ember avery
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

honestly i still see beauty in it right now, i can't imagine how elegant it looked when it was in use

Load More Replies...
j_willartisticwilldesigns avatar
J. Will ArtisticWillDesigns
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The word Onsen brings to mind tranquility, beautiful surrounding with soothing healing waters, but these images are heaŕt breaking. It's so sad that the deterioration has overtaken the building beyond restoration. Japan needs high power investors to revitalise it back to it's former elegance & help Japan's tourism.

jeffcicale avatar
JeffC
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These pictures are nothing short of amazing....excellent composition! There's something special about photographing abandoned locations; hoping to get into the Dixie Cup factory once the quarantine is over.

janinependleton avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks Jeff 😄. Ah man, I tried the Dixie Cup place but we had to bail due to time and a poorly placed cop car. There is a nice pottery near me in England, it's called "Falcon Works" https://www.obsidianurbexphotography.com/industrial/falcon-works-pottery-england/ which looks very similar 😄

Load More Replies...
kha_duong_1 avatar
K. aka letmeplaywithkittens
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do we prepare to visit these abandoned buildings? Do we need any special gear, skills, or permission? What do we look out for?

janinependleton avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My top pieces of advice is: think safety! First, always make sure someone knows where you are (who is not with you!. Second, relating to the first, bring someone with you. In this hotel I explored with my friend, as is usual for me. We don't stick together as such. One good strategy we use is split up on a floor, then meet back at the stairs. We discuss what we have found, then swap areas. Then we move to the next floor together. We find this is a good mix of allowing us space to enjoy photographing in our own way, but also we know which was to head to find the other person if needed. Thirdly, pay attention to your surroundings. Check the state of the floor and ceiling as you move along corridors and into rooms. Good high-ankle walking boots with good soles to protect from anything sharp you might miss. Had a run-in with a nail and a board in an abandoned Japanese mining village, thankfully I had good shoes!

Load More Replies...
stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

moonbug avatar
moon bug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It says the hotel opened in the 1940s and closed in the 1990s. Do you think they never purchased anything new for the hotel (such as newer tvs and bottles of lotion) in the 50 years that is was open?

Load More Replies...
chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a shame. I hope a company or wealthy person will buy it and restore it.

umutgklp avatar
emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kawataro is the demon that's said to reside there. They even have a figure of it in one of the lobbies of the hotels.

Load More Replies...
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