Tucked away on an Izu hillside overlooking the Sagami Sea, the Okawa Seminar House, presumably once bustling with students and lecturers alike, is now not only silent, but slowly disintegrating.
But thankfully not enough, at least as far as the latter is concerned, to erase the signs of its one-time owner, Tokyo’s Nihon University — reminders of which are randomly dotted around the somewhat deceptively large complex.
However, why the facility closed its doors and said no to more seminars isn’t clear, and it’s arguably rather strange, at least considering the state it has been left in, when one considers that the University is the biggest such institution in Japan, boasting a colossal 68,000 undergraduates. Yet nevertheless close it did, and calendars along with long unread notices suggest that it was the best part of two decades ago when it did.
A situation that means the building’s numerous rows of desks have been silently sitting unused for an awfully long time.
And the blackboards are now only covered in grime,
or the names of groups.
Plus, away from the confines of academia, the games room is equally ghostly.
Leaving the corridors free to be roamed alone, with once locked doors no longer a problem.
Meaning plenty of rooms to peruse.
And the odd piece of apparatus to ponder.
Although a fire, unfortunately,
would pose much more of a problem.
But in time even that will be irrelevant, if in fact it isn’t already, as nature is slowly,
but surely,
taking back the building.
Next week, in part 2, I attempt something a little bit different, and take a close and concentrated look at a single piece of furniture found in the office.
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First time comment but big fan of your haikyo pictures. Really like the extinguisher.
More please. Thanks!
C
Thanks! I certainly hope there’ll be more. Many more if I can find them.
I love to see how nature takes over abandoned properties like this, though I prefer the ones that have been abandoned for 100 years or more, you can find something amazing everywhere. These pic’s are still awesome though.
Yeah, nature’s advance (along with left behind personal possessions) are what I find the most fascinating. I can’t really explain why either, but there’s something incredibly beautiful about vines and the like coming through windows and across floors.
Reminds me of the Emperor and his sibling’s domicile in ‘IZO’ – a beautifully decomposing haikyo, whether a set construct or real location I don’t know.
Great pics. I like the one with the helmet the most.
Another great set of pics Lee. Looking forward to the next installment ^^
Cheers Rob! Not sure if the next installment will work or not to be honest, but I’m keen to try a slightly different approach.
Just found your blog, very cool pictures! I have never been to Japan but I am going to check in on your site and follow for updates.
I particularly liked the second to last shot with the vines coming in and taking over.
Keep up the good work
Rust and corrosion are so common in Japan. But that fire extinguisher is amazing how the entire tank is just disintegrating from rust. Cool.
Yeah, I was struck by the fire extinguisher too. Despite all the haikyo I’ve visited, I’ve never seen one rust quite like that before.
1.) I’ve been enjoying your shots from various abandoned places.
2.) I’m quite struck by how many places you’re finding…and gaining access to. Are there really that many places left like that? And it’s amazing how many seemingly useful things are also left, like chairs and tables.
3.) Have you seen a certain abandoned hospital in the greater Tokyo area? I’m not familiar with the name, but I’ve heard it’s rather famous as a haunted place.
Thanks, Lee!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the pictures Len.
There are quite a number of haikyo about, but to be fair the vast majority of them I have found through this book, although there have been a handful that I’ve found myself. And yeah, the stuff left behind never ceases to amaze me either. That’s definitely what makes the places interesting for me.
As for the hospital, if it’s the Keishin Hospital in Kanagawa you are thinking of, then, yes, I’ve been there. There are pictures here in part1 and part 2. No ghosts though. Just people like me and schoolies playing truant.
I’ve just recently become a fan of your stuff… fabulous pictures! I really really love this series, abandoned buildings have always been a source of fascination for me. Keep it up!