About Haikyo

Here you’ll find some information about haikyo and a simple FAQ.

Why going to haikyo?

Japanese ruins are somewhat  unique, they always seem to have so many stories to tell, and the decayed wooden structure or the weirdly themed love hotels are  from a completely different world.

Can you suggest me a few spots?

All the locations I can suggest you are already on the haikyo map. Please also do some research by yourself and check if those places are still alive.

How do you find such places anyway?

It all started with a book called Nippon No Haikyo. I used it for 4-5 months, then started to go with people who have the same hobby, discovering more and more places together. On the way, it also happens to discover new place that nobody knows as well. It is a lot of work.

Wait, isn’t this illegal?

Most places are considered illegal because they are, at very different level, dangerous and of course the company or owner doesn’t want to be responsible of the death of somebody trespassing. We are not doing anything bad otherwise (even though it’s called trespassing) and most the explorers are very respectful.

Have you ever been arrested?

Never. But I have seen guards before and ever met guys working for SECOM (security company in Japan). As long as you are not running, hiding like if you were a special agent, but acting as a normal photographer, it’s okay in my opinion. If they see you, just explain yourself, with a smile and honesty. You are trespassing after all ;)

Which camera are you using?

I believe that this is not the question to ask. On this website, you will find very bad and beautiful photos, taken with the same cameras. The fact that they are good (or not) depends on: preparation, the time of the day and weather, the place, and, of course, skills (both on the artistic level and on the technical level). Then of course the lens counts a lot. The camera would come last. For haikyo, I mainly use a Nikon D800 with a 14-24 f/2.8 or a 24-70 f/2.8. I used to (and still use it sometimes) shoot with a Canon 7D using a 17-55mm f/2.8 and a Fisheye. I also have a Nikon D3100 modified for IR.

I want to see more photos.

Please visit Totoro Times! I insist :)

Can you help me ? I don’t speak Japanese.

I don’t speak Japanese neither. Finding/visiting this locations is hard work. With some effort, you can plan to visit a few haikyo easily if you visit the country.

Do you want to contact me?

Okay, but please note that there might be NO REPLY AT ALL for those asking for locations. I know that everyone is nice and full of good intentions (mainly taking photos, making videos, or looking for ghosts) but better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, I have a principle : NOT SHARING ANY LOCATION with anyone. But please contact me for anything else ^^

 

 

  • Syahrial hanafiah

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  • http://twitter.com/MythJuha Myth Juha

    Gotta say, love the site. Love the pictures. Very nice colors. Planning to visit Japan next year or so, and will most likely do some Urbexing then. If you don’t mind, i’d like to contact you then to gather some information and hear about your suggestion. Not only urbex related.

    • http://www.totorotimes.com TigrouMeow

      Thanks a lot for your nice comment. Of course, please contact me when you come and we’ll do something for sure! By the way, was your profile picture took at Chateau Grammaire?

      • http://twitter.com/MythJuha Myth Juha

        It was taken at Chateau De Viron. We found a way into the basement (profile picture), but were unable to gain access to the upper floors. The door was nailed shut.

  • HYPO NeX

    http://decadentworld.6.ql.bz/
    http://redcompany666.blog41.fc2.com/

    Is it OK although it is a Japanese site? 

    • http://www.totorotimes.com TigrouMeow

      Yes, but you want me to put those links in the Links section, right?

  • Lg15573

    Hello, I found this site recently and have really enjoyed it. I recently visited Atami, Japan in Shizuoka Prefecture and found what appears to be abandoned hotel complex right by the sea next to New Akao Hotel and below The Ako Royal Wing and Atami Castle. The structure is wedge in between the cliffs and caves right by the sea and has curved glass facade facing the ocean. There are also a stairtower and and what appears to be a basement structure at sea level and what appears to be two man made ocean pools next to cliffs. Through the glassfacade you can see lots of old stuff   such as furniture, refridgerators and other stuff partially coverd with white blankets. The roof  of the structure is a lawn and is accessible from the strolling areas and stairs by the sea belonging to the Akao hotel. There are doors  from the lawn and I sneaked in since one of them were even slightly open and found among others things a magazine dating back to 1981. Unfortunally there were some peolple strolling around the area close by so I chickened out and didn´t explorer the structure further.
    The complex appears to be somewhat linked to the still open parts of the hotel not sure however. Also does anyone know the story of this complex, it´s clearly abandoned but still in pretty good condition and packed with stored stuff and the rest of the hotel apart from from two abandoned restaurants facing the sea is still open. I would love to see or hear more about this complex if anyone knows anything or has something to share.

    I found the attached picture on the web and you can see the structure on the bottom left corner.

    • http://www.totorotimes.com Meow • Japan & Urbex

      I went to Atami a few times, and I feel like there are many abandoned hotels there. I don’t know that one though! Do you have a Google Map about the location maybe? Would be easier to recognize it. On the picture, it looks really shiny and new :) And really huge!

      • Lg15573

        If you type in New Akao Hotel into google maps you get the location. It on the right side of that Hotel right by the sea. And can be accessed from the cliffside walkways starting outside the New Akao Hotel Royal Wing which is located above the New Akao Hotel (the white multistory building)
        It´s definetly not new, ;) don´t be fooled by the pictures. The structure might be connected to the parts of the Hotel that are still in use through some passage through the cliff.  I have some pictures from the outside that i took with my cellphone unfortunally none from the inside.

  • Nick

    Hey!

    As part of a Study Abroad program I have recently arrived in Japan from the United States. Before coming here I started doing some research in Urban Exploring in Japan and ended up stumbling across this site. I first want to say that it has helped me allot in finding places to explore both local and at a greater distance, and secondly, to thank you for the amount of effort that has been invested in making the information available, I really appreciate it!

    In particular though I am writing in regards to a class of mine here at Uni – sparked by an interest in Urban Exploring at home I have selected Japanese ‘Haikyo’ as the topic for my documentary class. As such, I am trying to find individuals interested in Urban Exploring who would be willing to be interviewed for this project. Understanding fully that these locations are kept secret for a reason my intention is not to ask about locations as much as it is to ask about why people ‘Urban Explore’, what got them started, and their thoughts on Haikyo and Japanese History in a more general sense. After reading the interview with Ikumi I feel that the moderators who are clearly more experienced may be able to help me locate such individuals. If you or anyone that you know of in Japan would be a possible candidate for this project I would really appreciate the information! Thank you for your time!

    Regards,
    Nick

    Also; Japanese or English subjects are fine – a member of our group is a native speaker. Questions can be sent in advance to allow for adequate preparation as well. Thank you again!

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Hello Nick,
      You’re welcome! What kind of interview is it? I know my Japanese friends would mind being interviewed a little. If it would be for a major website / magazine / newspaper, that would be more understandable and interesting, but for a documentary class? Mmm. What kind of class are we talking about? All this people (and by extension, Japanese people) are quite busy usually and wouldn’t come to you in order to be interviewed. Most of this information (why, how) can be found on the haikyoists website with some research. Sending them e-mails would be a way to do it too, but it might annoy a lot of them as well. Did you get started? And then, who will read those interviews and all?

  • Marius Hancu

    Great wide-lens pics, yes, that’s the way:-)

    Now, perhaps you or your blog readers might want to have a look
    at “Simon and Hiroko,” “
    a dramatic love story located to a large extent in Japan, which has gathered
    several appreciative reviews and blog interviews.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Kobo

    On sale at $0.99 for several days only.

    I wish you’d take a stab at it too, as impressions from
    current residents would be very special for me.

    I lived two years in Tokyo and I enjoyed the place very
    much.

    Cheers.

    Marius Hancu

    Goodreads