Situated in the popular tourist area of Izu, and surrounded by expensive holiday homes, this bleak and now abandoned building is an eyesore that must regularly irritate those on a rest break, let alone local residents.
A hotel that must once have hummed with the sound of holidaymakers on short trips away from Tokyo, but now it’s pretty much silent apart from the steady drips from damaged drain pipes and the wind from broken windows.
Meaning that there’s definitely no point in calling reception.
Regardless of whether it be for a kiddie chair.
Some condiments.
A cartridge for a bit of karaoke.
Or even a complaint about the cleanliness.
Although in the office, where the staff experienced both the highs of the hotel’s opening day, and the lows of its last one, there are still plenty of signs of past activity — some of which, despite the hotel closing in the early 1990s, still feels as though it was fairly recent.
Such as still full filing cabinets.
Unused business cards.
And bills to prove that, back in the day at least, they did manage to do some business.
But that was then and this is now, and regardless of whether it was hurt by changing times, or hampered by bad management, the enterprise was a gamble that well and truly didn’t pay off.
In part 2, which can be seen here, I’ll take a look at the distinctly 70s style rooms, and their decidedly dismal deterioration.
supreme nothing says
Great photos as always. You can’t help but imagine stories behind the abandoned objects.
I also especially enjoy the audio, it makes the whole scene that much more vivid….
Lee says
Thanks! That’s why I like these places so much. So much history, and so many stories. None of which can be fully known, or fully understood.
Glad you liked the audio too. I should try and use it more often.
Tornadoes28 says
I wonder what the condiment on the right is (was)?
Lee says
It’s Parmesan.
Probably a bit tangy by now!
Candy says
Yikes! Wouldn’t want that on my pasta!
Dev. says
Interesting pictures. Always amazes me what is left behind…………
Lee says
Thanks. It always amazes me too, especially the personal stuff. I’m glad people do leave stuff though, as, for me at least, it’s what makes a haikyo interesting.
Jocy says
Great pictures!
Lee says
Thanks!
asep says
This is horror.
Gordyoh says
Very cool. Nice use of audio too.
Lizzy says
Simply amazing. Loved having the audio clip play while going through the pictures. It’s a whole other dimension! I thought I almost heard music at about 1:15 but I guess it was just the wind . . . . ^_^ Can’t wait for Part 2.
Lee says
Thanks Lizzy! Happy to hear the audio worked for you too, but there’s none for part 2 I’m afraid…
My Kafkaesque Life says
What can I say? Amazing photos. really. But you must be used to hear that a lot. Well, you’re a great photographer. 🙂
Lee says
Thanks, you are too kind. And anyway, even if I did here it a lot, it’d never get boring!
Mylow says
Incredibly interesting post. Thank you. The kid’s chair is so sad
Lee says
Thanks, and you are more than welcome. The chair struck me as very melancholy too. Not quite sure why though.
Boo! says
The audio makes me feel like I’m there…love it 🙂
Looking forward to part 2
Lee says
Thanks, but with no audio for part 2, I hope you won’t be too disappointed!
dreamer says
Great photographs i love all your abandoned building series. They also creep me out a little its strange to see all the items left behind, its like a scene in a horror movie and they are trying to figure out why people left in such a hurry.
Lee says
Cheers, happy to hear you enjoy them. It is strange, there’s no doubt about it, and the mystery along with a sense of history is really fascinating. And believe me, I have often have a sense of dread along with excitement when opening some doors…
grant says
Horror hotel!
Florian says
Awesome pictures, interesting text – I’m looking forward to part 2! (And hopefully part 3, 4, 5, …)
Lee says
Thanks Florian! There’ll only be a part 2 I’m afraid. Like most haikyo hotel, after a while the rooms become much of a muchness, and this one wasn’t any different.
tama says
was looking into the news of working poor in japan and found your website.
awesome pictures and audio. one day we will all have a device to digitise smell.
i wonder how long its been shut down.
Lee says
Thanks tama.
Luckily this one didn’t smell bad at all. Lots of broken windows obviously helped. And as for how long it has been abandoned, it closed for business in 92/93.