Faded tourist spots long past their peak are common in the Japanese countryside, and invariably they are fascinating locations that slowly disintegrate rather than suddenly just ceasing to exist. The gradual, yet very visible decline creating a vicious circle of sorts, as the lack of investment and modernisation deters visitors, and the resultant reduction in custom further lessens the chance of financial support, leading ultimately to dereliction. Perhaps the perfect example of which is this old resort town I photographed at the end of last year.
The lakeside spot below is yet another, although in the fog it took on a completely different look and feel. Before the weather changed, the area was already quiet, with just a few couples wandering about, each one looking around, seemingly unsure of where on earth they had driven to. When the surroundings began to rapidly disappear from view, however, so did those last tourists, meaning they missed out on an experience that was almost otherworldly. The dense fog turned the rather sad silence into something far more serene, plus what remained visible took on a completely new, and at times almost ethereal quality. A transformation that resulted in a genuine sense of wonder — something that maybe, just maybe, was felt back in the day when business was booming.
Coli says
Oh wow. This photo series is something special. The fog truly makes the atmosphere doesn’t it? Excellent choice for black and white 🙂
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Good to hear. The fog was quite the experience. Just incredible really. So very happy some of the atmosphere comes through in the photos.
Cheers. Had to be black and white!
john says
I like the light in the window on the last one, the vending machine with perspective, and one of those landscape images that doesn’t usually need a rock. The others missed having a surreal good time but enjoying the silence was probably vital.
Some of those swans (without eyelashes) look quite punk!
Lee says
The silence really was something. It would have been interesting to see the man in the animal costume completing his run in the fog, but I would have needed to get close to see and photograph him!
Cheers. I have a real soft spot for the vending machine shots, and the (punk) swans, but the last one is my favourite. Out of them all, that captures the feeling and experience the best.
Stephan says
These are very cool. I’m loving the b&w it adds so much atmosphere. 🙂
Lee says
Thank you, it was an incredible experience. A wonderful end to the day. And glad you agree, felt like it had to be black and white.
Ed says
I wish I could be there.
Lee says
It was quite the place, and experience. So special in fact that I wish I could go back and experience it again.
cdilla says
An impactful collection of photographs. They impress the quietness of the location on you. The glowing vending machines are asking for a story to be created around them. But it’s the eerie piers vanishing into the mist over the water that have me thinking just off camera is the ghost of a drowned woman silently emerging.
Lee says
Thank you. Very pleased with the way these came out. My worry was the camera wouldn’t capture how I felt and saw everything, but happily it did a surprisingly good job. And couldn’t agree more about the vending machines. Not exactly sure what it is about them in that light, but they are really quite special. Yeah, those piers disappearing are quite something, Thankfully though there were only disappearances, and not any appearances.
LAObserver says
Very interesting photo set Lee. Fog has an unusual effect on the psychology of people. It is partly acoustic, because it attenuates sounds to very low levels. And it is partly visual because sharp optical edges become blurred or disappear completely. The exact same locations shot on a bright sunny clear day would evoke different feelings from locals or even those looking at photos on your website. BTW, those last two shots are downright eerie.
Lee says
Thank you. That’s so true. While visually it was incredible, the change in sound, or indeed the lack of it, played a similarly important role. And yeah, we arrived before the fog, and the difference was striking in every sense.
Know what you mean about those last shots. Definitely something about them. Very pleased indeed the way they came out.