Considering the current economic climate, a trip to Sports World a week or so ago was particularly apt.
Conceived during the bubble with the bank presumably backing the project with a ludicrously large loan, this sprawling Sports Resort Hotel at the top of the Izu Peninsula was opened in 1988, only a year before prosperity went pop. And, ten years later, after an impossibly optimistic opening,
the business too went bang.
A decade that, due to the site’s sumptuousness and size, must have been a stressful one to say the least, with the technology of the day,
no doubt making more noise than the till.
And even the acquisition of less archaic computers,
along with confidence boosting cups,
couldn’t have made the conferences any more comfortable.
This armchair on the other hand may have offered at least some sort of a rest bite,
but in the end, with nothing saved for a rainy day except company emblazoned umbrellas,
the staff were left with little option but to leave,
after perhaps loitering for a little while in the bar,
and having one last blow out to add to the already bulging bill.
In Part 2, some the the resort’s fast-fading indoor features are featured, including rooms, a pool and the gym. Plus a few pictures of the place blooming in its brief, bubble-era buoyancy. And in Part 3 there are images of Sports World’s huge outdoor facilities, with more ‘now and then’ pictures, including some of the staff.
In addition, for more haikyo, there’s always an abandoned mining town to have a meander through, or even a crumbling cable car for more loan-based lunacy.
ColB says
I really enjoy these stories. I do envy your haikyo trips.
Brian says
Izu is a sort of mecca for haikyo it seems. As soon as it warms up again next year I’ll follow in your footsteps.
Gloria_K says
I wouldn’t be happy about my picture and other info just left for anybody to see. What about confidentiality?
MrSatyre says
Lee, your numerous blogs on abandoned sites has gotten me thinking: don’t Japanese banks believe in having estate sales (or whatever the equivalent is for failed businesses)? It seems that many of the places you visited are chock full of furnishings and electronics that could have either been sold for reuse or as recyclables.
Lee says
The amount of stuff left behind has always staggered me too MrSatyre, but at the same time, a lot of the technology was probably quite dated even when these places closed down.
Also, it costs money to have things taken away for recycling, so in the end it probably makes more economic sense — not that that was ever an issue with Sports World — just to leave everything behind.
And, as so little (if anything) is paid for second hand furniture, it’s probably just easier to leave that too.
Michael John Grist says
Very interesting photos of the place in its heyday Lee- did you find those on site? I searched the net for some but found none- but never thought to actually look for some in one of the offices. A lot of paper still left strewn around.
I’ve been checking your blog all week actually, waiting for this post to go up. Am very keen to see how it progresses, and what you’ve shot. It’s interesting how two people will be drawn to and photograph very different things. Your shots of glasses in a bar- is that the main restaurant? If not, you found a bar I never even went to!
Lee says
Yeah, I (or rather the friend I went with) found the pics near the office. Didn’t take many as it didn’t seem right somehow, but I’ve got a few others I’ll scan for parts 2 and 3.
I know what you mean about different photographs. There always seems to be a few ‘obvious’ shots, but otherwise different visitors seem to focus on very different things. Interesting isn’t it? Sort of the same place, but yet not at the same time.
The bar was next to the restaurant, but separate from the main restaurant bar. Only a little place with a bashed up karaoke machine in it and a few tables and chairs. Sound familiar?
The place was much better than I expected to be honest. Nice weather was a bonus too considering its size and all the outdoor facilities. It was also really windy, meaning that all the doors (especially in the office part) were constantly banging, giving it quite an atmosphere.
Jason says
I like the shot of the board room (meeting table and chairs). I wonder what the subject of the last meetings was…we’re all doomed??
Lee says
Considering the money that must have been spent on the place Jason, and the relatively few visitors it must have had (as it can’t have done much, or indeed any, business outside summer), I’d bet pretty much all the board meetings were decidedly gloomy.
Mike says
Nice post Lee. I read MJG’s account a while ago, but this puts a whole new swing on things. I hope I’ll get chance to visit it in the future too. I’m planning my first Haikyo in Britain within the coming weeks – you guys have been inspiring!
Jeff says
Very nice. I also enjoy these little excursions of yours.
Lee says
It’s nice to know it’s not just me who enjoys the whole haikyo thing, especially as I can’t really explain why I like it so much.
Sports World is well worth a visit Mike. Even though it’s quite modern, there’s still a real atmosphere about the place, and nature has started to take the place back too. Not really evident in this post, but it will be on the next one.
Where are you planning the haikyo in Britain?
ait_meijin says
Nice story again! Thank you, Lee. What a moody place. And that ’88 fujicolor print is so nostalgic.
nannou says
Great post Lee.
Hey I was wondering if you might be able to supply some directions on how to get to this place from Tokyo?
Seems like the Shinkansen would be the fastest/most direct way. But some notes on what station is the closest etc would be much appreciated 🙂
o says
Have you ever been to SportsWorld at night? Is there active security there? I read on MJG’s blog about Sports World going in at night and exploring and seeing some security guard on the otherside of the hotel, which makes me wonder, how/why can an abanonded place such as this have active security? and what would your opinion/view be about going into haikyo at night?
Lee says
Sadly it’s gone. Demolished as far as I know.
Personally visiting a haikyo at night isn’t something I’d do as I want to take photos as well as explore. Also, due to sometimes dody floors, along with stuff and often broken glass all over the place, it’s not something I’d recommend.