Haikyo

For the long gone residents of Nitchitsu mining town, the decidedly disturbing doctor’s office was definitely not the place to be, but for those well enough, there were predictably places of work,

although needless to say, any note taking is now unnecessary.

And similarly silent is the restaurant which, as well as being ramshackle,

has a restroom that is more than a bit risky.

The town’s sole supermarket is not surprisingly also in a shocking state of disarray,

but at least the lack of stock means it’s considerably quieter than most Japanese stores.

Which is a bit like bath time.

Meaning the community feel is largely lost forever, with the town emblem,

and a huge tatami room,

only hinting at what must have been much happier times.

But sadness can also be a bit sinister, or it certainly is when sauntering round the small school in semi-darkness, as the ‘naughty seat’ is now in no way to be taken lightly,

and for those that are sick, the radio conjures up little comfort.

Plus there’s no point in calling for help either,

as the corridors will continue to be conspicuously quiet.

(click images for higher-res haikyo)

In the third and final part, I look at what’s left of the lodgings, and for those of you that missed it, part 1 looks at the decidedly disturbing doctor’s office.

Situated a good 3 hour drive from western Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture’s Nitchitsu mining town housed around 3,000 people at its peak in 1965, but now, any life is long gone, and the mountain’s iron and zinc remains unmoved.

When things finally wound down, however, many of the town’s inhabitants appear to have travelled lightly, leaving behind a lot of their belongings — the doctor in particular packing only important stuff. So his containers of monstrous,

and probably best left mysterious paraphernalia still remain,

along with all manner,

of medicine.

Surgical instruments too were also seen as secondary,

with rusty,

and wretched looking things,

still randomly scattered about.

As are the ex-residents records.

Meaning that while certain surgical procedures could still be performed, it wouldn’t be particularly pleasant,

although there is still be a comfy-ish bed for convalescence.

(click images higher-res horrors)

In Nitchitsu mining town haikyo #2: A day in the life, I take a look at the way those that were well worked, rested and played, and in Nitchitsu mining town haikyo #3: Home sweet home, a look at their lodgings.

Also, for more haikyo, there are images here of an abandoned house, hospital, cable car station, sports hotel complex, restaurant and love hotel.

Love hotels and especially hospitals make for much better haikyo, but whereas businesses simply go bankrupt, somebody abandoning their abode is far more mysterious — and immeasurably more melancholy.

Like this rather pitiful looking place for example.

As, while it may be way out by the woods, it presumably still cost a pretty penny, and more importantly was a home, possibly even a sweet one, for somebody. But now its views of the mountains are sadly masked by the overgrown garden,

which has also wormed its way inside.

And, after working one’s way through,

the place reveals that its shoji screens,

and a bit of the wall,

are decidedly decrepit. As is the nearby shed.

Which, while laughably still locked,

boasts only a bicycle. The owner having presumably left by a different means of transport.

Whatever that may have been.

In part 1 (go here for a gander), the lower floors of Keishin Hospital’s abandoned shell offered little apart from dereliction and destruction, but higher up, the building’s wall-cum-canvases are a genuine goldmine of graffiti,

with a varied collection of characters peering out from the plaster,

and at the same time presenting little in the way of privacy.

However, this focus on the human form,

soon turns to more faithful reproductions, with faces,

and especially foreign ones,

being most favoured.

Plus, the female figure in particular,

is a firm favourite.

Although despite seeing a different drawing at each turn, the biggest surprise of the whole hospital haikyo was the appearance of some rather more real faces.

(click images for grander-sized graffiti)

*Huge thanks to Mike in Japan for kindly supplying a map to the hospital, and, needless to say, his own hike round the ruin is well worth a look.

Japan’s fondness for fads and its ferocious rate of redevelopment means that there’s always the chance of finding some ruined buildings to have a rummage around in. Hence perhaps the popularity of haikyo (ruins) in Japan, and Tokyo Times recent chance to have a look around a long-abandoned love hotel.

Also, as luck would have it, the aforementioned accommodation is almost next door to a similarly rotting restaurant, where tight-lipped lovers perhaps lunched;

the eatery’s personal rooms once perfect for those after a little privacy.

Something they now sadly offer in abundance,

providing the dust,

and the debris isn’t too disconcerting.

And while a few restorative drinks may once have been required,

they are probably now best avoided,

as the lavatory is definitely lacking in luxury.

(click images for higher-res haikyo)