Finding abandoned buildings outside Tokyo isn’t difficult. Head out into the countryside, or pass through one of Japan’s many faded towns, and there are long-disused structures almost everywhere. Many of them, it has to be said, aren’t the least bit interesting— well, not on the inside, anyway. Invariably filled with junk, or simply stripped bare, they offer little in the way of exploration. Also, a good number of them are understandably sealed shut, so even if they do contain intriguing little time capsules, they remain frustratingly out of reach.
Every now and again, however, it’s possible to stumble upon something very different. Like the abandoned village below. Some of its structures have been demolished. Others have simply collapsed. But those it was possible to enter offer up a fascinating, and at the same time rather sad look at the lives of those who once lived there.
Background wise, there used to be a mine in the area; an enterprise that was presumably the settlement’s biggest employer, and very likely the reason why many people moved there in the first place. Being up in the mountains, forestry work and other rural occupations also helped sustain the settlement. But the closure of the mine in 1980 understandably seems to have been the death knell for the small outpost. An idea further reinforced by calendars in several of the properties displaying that very same year. The demise, however, was a slow and drawn out one, as some people did stay on — for a surprisingly long time too. The most recent sign of habitation being a not at all distant 2012.
Details regarding the actual inhabitants, on the other hand, are far more hazy. For reasons unknown, they left behind a staggering amount of stuff, and yet oddly it tells us more about who they loved and lost, rather than any specifics regarding what they did, or indeed how they lived their lives. Intriguing titbits that hint at a lot, and yet at the same time give very little away. So, with no more facts available, and wild speculation or educated guesswork the only options, here is what we found without any further commentary.
DavidT says
Wow. Incredible find! There’s so much to take in. Why would they leave so many personal things behind…….?
Lee says
Yeah, it really was. Even better for being totally unexpected. But why people leave so much behind I don’t know. Being out in the sticks I can perhaps understand some of the bigger stuff, but not the personal items…
Ron says
Is that an AMC Pacer???? In picture 3.
Lee says
Nah, a Mitsubishi Mirage. Seems like it’s a first generation from the late 70s, which fits in with the other dates, and the fact that its wheels have half disappeared into the soil.
Coli says
Wow. What a find. I really like the last two photos. Those are really great. I can’t imagine what some of the places must’ve smelled like with all of the decaying tatami and other pieces. Do you usually where a mask when you enter these places?
It’s a little surprising to see you use a flash to capture a photo, but the shadow cast of of ningyo is interesting. Btw that car must be a Honda Civic of some sort
Lee says
Yes, a very pleasant surprise to say the least. Cheers. Those two, along with the first one, are probably my favourites as well. Most of the others are to try and tell the story of the place, both those three could easily work as stand alone photos.
To be honest they didn’t smell that bad at all. Some were a bit musty, but nothing too overpowering. But yeah, we wore masks. Cuts down the chance of getting an allergy from the dust if nothing else.
Actually, it was a bit of improvisation with the iPhone torch rather than a flash. It was just too dark to shoot without. But like you say, that shadow is interesting. Probably a better result than if I’d had enough natural light.
Denton says
I’ve been away and come back to this. Awesome! 🙂 There’s so much atmosphere and mystery in these pics. I can’t even pick a favorite!
Lee says
Thanks! That was pretty much my reaction when we realised what we had stumbled upon. A genuinely fascinating place.
Once an Expat says
Judging from the newness of some of the items in your photographs, wonder if the building(s) aren’t being used by the homeless. That aside, the one ancestral photograph left behind of a young man in an Imperial Army uniform is sad thing, for I have a feeling this young man never came back from WWII. Also if that suit of samurai armor is legit/truly period, its worth some serious cash.
Lee says
Pretty sure there are no people using the buildings anymore. Too remote. There were no signs of recent life at all either. But some weren’t vacated til 2012, so that explains the relative newness.
Yeah, I know what you mean about that photo. Sad to see it, and also sad it was left behind. Same with the other photos as well, but that one in particular is especially touching.
My guess is it’s just a replica. Must be, as they’d have taken it with them otherwise. Or at least I assume they would have done. There was even a sword with it. Definitely not what I expected to find.
LessThanNothing says
My favorite is the chairs sinking into the tatami mat/hole. It’s daring you to have a seat. Haha.
Thanks for sharing all, great photos.
Lee says
That’s quite a room, isn’t it? Desperately wanted to go further into the house, but the spot where I took that photo is as far as I got. The thought of going through the floor in a house in the middle of nowhere didn’t feel like the smartest of moves!
Thanks, and you are more than welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed taking them all.
cdilla says
What a treat – to see such a collection of photographs. Such a lot to look at and think about. They exude quite a solemn atmosphere as tiny imagined glimpses of past live flicker in and out of mind.
The TV looks positioned to immitate a shrine.
The photo of the soldier reminds me of a Murakami story.
Why did someone stuff leaves in those draws?
In the hole-in-the-floor photograph what is framed above the yellow pennant? I’m sure I’ve seen something similar recently.
Lee says
There’s definitely a lot to think about, isn’t there? A sad sort of beauty that creates way more questions than answers. A factor that for me at least makes such places all the more interesting.
Good call about the TV. Hadn’t thought about it like that. And yeah, those leaves. Why…
I couldn’t get any closer than where I took the photo. Common sense fortunately overcame my curiosity. But it’s a display of blades, and a few other things that I’m assuming are sword/knife connected .
Jeremy says
I love everything about these pictures.
My guess is that this was occupied by elderly parents of children who have all moved on to better things. When the parents passed away, their surviving children left behind everything as they don’t have the space for those things or desire to move them. And the pictures… I would guess that these are the great-grandparents and sadly have very little connection to the children who left the home.
Lee says
Thank you.
Yes, more than likely. At least one of the houses was certainly occupied by an elderly person at the end. Sad, but makes sense to leave all the stuff too I guess. Not like it’s of any use, and more than likely would be just thrown away anyway. That’s a good point about the photos as well. Probably they weren’t the only ones of them either.
Tyler says
Beautiful capture Lee! Seeing some of these, even though they’re completely foreign to me and never visited, fills me with sadness in the abandonment. Melancholy even, though beautiful in its desolation
Lee says
Thank you very much. That’s really good to hear. For me they mean something as I can recall what each room was like, how it felt etc. So to read that the photos conveyed very similar feelings to you as well is incredibly encouraging.
@robotopia says
Great shots! I would love to go. Organizing any tours there?
Lee says
Cheers! Hadn’t even though about that to be honest. But yeah, it could definitely be done.
Steve says
I would rather tours not be organized to abandoned homes such as this. The idea makes me uncomfortable because of the personal nature. Let them stay anonymous. I think these photos are fine and I enjoy them.
Businesses, factories, fine. I’ve seen photos of abandoned amusement parks in Japan that I think would make for great tours.
Lee says
That’s an interesting point. Very hard to disagree with too.
The world of urban exploration can be frustratingly secretive, with locations very closely guarded. As annoying as it can be though, I do understand why. Once somewhere becomes common knowledge, there’s the very real chance of vandalism, plus of course it loses a good part of what made it so special in the first place.
That said, if it was just a one off, with just a few people going up there — people you could trust to be respectful, and to keep the location under wraps, then it could work. Perhaps. I’m kind of torn. Part of me knows it should be kept quiet, and yet part of me knows how frustrating that can be when you want nothing more than just to go there, and simply experience/photograph it.
Harry says
These are so good. Kinda sad but totally awesome too! 😉 I think maybe the last is my favorite, but together they are great storytelling.
Lee says
Thank you! A set I’m happy with, so glad to hear you think so. Probably the last two and the first one for me. Really like the lighting in the first one.
Grifinie says
I don’t know what to say about these photos. Good captures. though. Because of religious or traditional or cultural subconscious playing a role here? I mean, I can understand if they leave daily use house furnitures behind, but what about those photos? Do they not care family tree, heritage? ”Where did I come from? Where our ancestors lived before?”
I wonder if Japanese society is a less bonding society, then again I know that Japanese society is still having many many large families living together.
Also those televisions are really sad. We are fascinated when we find some prehistorical relic or a daily object from 2000, 5000 or more centuries ago. One day will come and those electronics will take their place in archeology field to fascinate humanity.
Lee says
Cheers.
I don’t know to be honest. The very personal stuff that gets left behind still surprises me. Never managed to come up with a decent explanation, apart from the hassle of actually moving them, especially so from remote places like this. But that doesn’t really explain small things like photos.
The only other explanation would be that these people had no one to pass them on to. Or at least no one who had any direct connection to the photos. That’s definitely a possibility.
Know what you mean about the electronic stuff. I’m fascinated by the phones and TVs in these places. Little bits of history, but a history that’s easily relatable, and also nostalgic.
mirudake says
Wow, amazing photographs. As a foreigner who sometimes finds himself living in Japan sometimes, I’d be scared of the legalities of entering those places. How do you go about confirming that they are abandoned? Not trying to be critical, just curious.
Lee says
Thank you!
No, that’s a fair question. Must admit it isn’t always clear if a place is abandoned, especially so when it comes to houses. I’ve seen some truly ramshackle homes that amazingly were still in use.
In this case, however, the whole village was very obviously abandoned. There were also other giveaways such as no gas bottles outside, electric meters disconnected etc.
As for the legal situation, it is trespassing I guess. But left for so long, and in the middle of nowhere, it’s not like anyone would care, or be there to catch people.
It’s the same with hotels and the like as well. Probably owned by a bank, but it’s hard to imagine anyone actually caring. The vast majority of structures will never ever be used again. In fact the only thing that may happen is demolition. That said, I do enter such places as dicreetly as possible. Better to get in and out without arousing any suspicion.
Peter Brud / breakingcraft says
Very powerful pictures. Im a urbexer, but the times I find a place like this with personal photos I always gives me a hard knot in the stomach and a temporary anxiety. You cant help to think “what did happen with the people there? Who where they?”
One of my strongest impression was when I found a untouched house and noticed signs that the daughter in the family had pass away and after that the family got more problem and then just was gone. The experience was so strong that I had to step out of the house and throw up.
Im planning for a Japan trip next summer, would love to meet you and go on a trip like this.
Lee says
Thank you.
Yeah, it can certainly be a very sad experience. Impossible not to wonder about the people whose life you are looking at and photographing. Those feelings were especially strong in the house with the pictures in. Seeing framed funeral photos like can’t help but have an impact…