Last summer I documented this crumbling, and at the time fabulously overgrown old Tokyo hotel.
Needless to say it isn’t one of Tokyo’s regular places of stay, as along with its appearance, the business caters to the city’s poor, situated as it is in an area filled with similarly cheap and visibly rundown accommodation. That said, none of the others look anything quite like this one. Words simply can’t describe its patched up and ramshackle nature. In fact I’m not even sure photos do it justice either, but here at least is an idea of what it looked like last week before that lush summer camouflage completely covers it once again.
Linda says
oh WOW. It’s hard to believe, how is it still standing? Both physically and in the “how is it legal” sense? Amazing.
Lee says
I know eh? Seeing it without all that foliage really does emphasis how truly ramshackle it is. And yet it still stands. Legal or indeed otherwise…
Denise says
I cannot believe how that remains standing and people are staying there……! 😮
Lee says
Yeah, the fact it’s still standing is one thing, but knowing people still live there. Quite a few as well. That’s what really gets me.
Sean says
That is just insane! Gotta wonder what it’s like inside. My guess is no better.
Lee says
It’s certainly special that’s for sure. And yeah, it’s hard to even imagine what it’s like inside. But I agree, it likely isn’t very nice…
Richard says
I remember this from before, thanks. Almost worth paying for a room in order to see what it is like on the inside. How does it escape notice by public health authorities?!?
Lee says
You are welcome. It was nice to have an excuse to show a couple of those photos again.
But yeah, I have no idea. For all Japan’s many rules and regulations, it can also be surprisingly relaxed about some. Some that seem way more important that many of the others…
Ryan Shepard says
Agree that you need to book a room + take us inside! Better still, it would be very interesting to get the perspective of one of the residents.
Lee says
Can’t say I’m not intrigued that’s for sure. Considering the area, not sure how willing people would be to talk. Or how appropriate it would be to ask them. A longer stay would make that easier, but not sure how I’d feel about the prospect of that.
cdilla says
That’s very nice update on the already fascinating story.
Seeing what landlords get away with in the UK it doesn’t suprise me the same or worse happens elsewhere, especially when the occupants have no desire or power to complain.
I once rented a cheap room in a house for a while where the landlord occasionally made the usually un-let attic available to certain individuals who needed to disappear for a while. No-one was going to bring up the state of the bathroom or peeling wallpaper up with that gentleman!
Lee says
Cheers. It really is an incredible looking building in both seasons. Well, all seasons.
That does sound like it was quite the place. One where it was definitely best to keep your head down.
Damien says
Incredible. Like something out of a Miyazaki animation. Must be like the Tardis inside.
Lee says
Oh, I like that idea. Hadn’t thought about Tardis-like possibilities. Makes me want to take a look inside even more.