16 October 2020 - ABANDONED SPA FOUND IN JAPAN

 ABANDONED SPA

 FOUND IN JAPAN 

G'day folks,

No trip to Japan would be complete without a trip to a traditional Japanese bathhouse called an onsen. Japanese onsens conjure up images of relaxing in warm waters, sipping green tea against a backdrop of cherry blossom trees.

The alkaline-rich spa waters of this region are claimed to ease rheumatism. As a consequence of these medicinal properties, numerous onsens and hotels sprung up in the 1940s. For many years these hotels were filled to capacity, as over 3 million tourists flocked here every year. The business was booming!

These looming concrete tower blocks continued to be built. They eventually lined both sides of the river, destroying the previously picturesque natural beauty. In attempting to capitalize on the flocking tourists, these huge ugly buildings acted to drive them away. The final contributing factor to the demise of this and other hotels was a local financial collapse in the 1990s. The economic bubble had now, truly burst.

Now the hotel, like its counterparts, lies in ruins. The exterior is crumbling and choked with weeds. The large bathhouse pool in the basement is empty. The hotel rooms are damp and smell of mold, the floor beneath the tatami mats collapsing. Now, check out these amazing buildings ...

 

Clancy's comment: These abandoned places leave me gob smacked. 

I'm ...