Due to its prime location right by a lake, guests at the Sansuisou Ryokan, in Saitama Prefecture, would have had the rather enviable option of a gentle saunter by the water’s edge before breakfast.
Plus, should they have felt energetic enough afterwards, maybe even a meander around the nearby mountains.
But whilst it may not look all that inviting now, at one time it must have been really quite welcoming.
And, along with its looks and location, it is also quite possible it played some kind of role in the local farming community, as the lake itself was built in 1935 as an agricultural reservoir in response to the Great Depression. Changing times, however, meant that despite its surroundings, the number of visitors slowly dwindled, culminating in the inn’s closure in the late 1990s. A situation that, combined with a relatively cursory clear up, has resulted in a fairly sparsely furnished haikyo, with not a great deal more to photograph than snake-like shower fittings,
and beds in which one wouldn’t really want to lounge about in for any longer than was strictly necessary.
But that said, like practically all abandoned buildings, it also contains a considerable number of chairs — pieces of furniture that were happily used by visitors during the hotel’s heyday to enjoy a few lively drinks,
or a decidedly quieter dinner.
The latter in particular once offering an ideal opportunity for guests to enjoy inobuta, the Ryokan’s speciality, which is a hearty hybrid of pig and wild boar.
Now, however, these chairs are either unceremoniously stored away,
or are left where they were last used.
Some of them still arguably suggestive of the conversations they once witnessed.
Whereas others, somewhat strangely considering they are merely functional pieces of furniture, look somehow rather lost.
And indeed lonely.
Almost as though they are silently waiting for someone to sit on them, or alternatively for something to happen.
Neither of which is the least bit likely.
Jason Collin Photography says
Caught me off guard at first Lee, thought you had a real party in the haikyo with those shots.
Maybe this place failed because the exterior looks like a prison, not a cozy place I’d like to spend the night with or without a Tiger-esque escort.
Lee says
Nah, no parties Jason, and I think the inobuta would have been a bit past its best…
Had to use the pictures though, as it’s so rare to get some images of how things were during happier times.
Nayalan Moodley says
don’t suppose you could locate this on Google maps for me?
Lee says
Send me an email and I’ll see if I can dig out my map.
Tornadoes28 says
It must have been a nice place to relax back in the day. The concrete hotel looks a bit harsh but the trees and mountains make up for that.
noi says
Although appears has the trifle to be bleak, but the picture looked like actually appears was just good
Marwin says
Ghost hotel! eerie. thanks for posting.
Tyler says
Another excellent haikyo imaging Lee. Also in your third image, are the white looking trees cherry trees or is it a different tree type?
Lee says
Thanks Tyler. Obviously the ‘before’ pictures aren’t mine, but yeah, they are Japan’s famed cherry trees. It must have made for a very nice view, especially with the mountains in the background.
Lizzy says
Once again a fantastic post. I love that you added the photos of how it used to be. About how long did you get to spend here? Were most of the room locked, or was that newspaper on the bed the most interesting thing to be found? Did you check the date on it?
Lee says
Cheers Lizzy. It’s not very often I come across old photos of how places used to be, so it was good to have the option of using them. Makes for a good contrast between the past and present.
It was a bit tricky to get into the place, but once we were in everything was open. It’s just that a great deal of the stuff had been removed. A pity really, but the chairs at least gave me something to photograph. Oh, and the newspaper was dated 1997.
We actually spent quite a while there, or at least in the area. It looked so nice in the snow that we walked round the lake and up to some viewing points too. It’s not very often we see snow, so we had to make the most of it.
Paul says
I take it you never saw the flooded dungeon area then, with the insanely small staff beds crammed in 4 to a showbox room in along with spare furniture storage. THAT was bizarre.
Lee says
No, I stupidly forgot my torch Paul, so we couldn’t head down there. Any photos?