Located in the mid-South Australian desert, this sand- filled ghost town was built on the ambitious promise of wheat and barley production. But the regions harsh desert climate resulted in poor agricultural conditions, deeming much of the land unworkable. Also utilised as a trucking yard for livestock that travelled down the Birsdville track, the area once had a bustling population of approximately 600 residents. Containing two hotels, two breweries and a bakery, the only evi

Once a bustling mining hub filled with activity, the now deserted township of Big Bell bakes in the arid West Australian desert. Established in the mid 1930’s, the area catered to miners and families who congregated on the gold and mineral rich area. With a population peaking at 850 in 1954, the now deserted space is an abandoned patch where only a few traces of its once urbanised landscape remain. Revealing the villages original layout, rows of gridded dirt tracks run parall

Located in Nagasaki Prefecture, this drab building looked just like any other boring office complex, but a closer inspection revealed what appeared to be vines growing from inside its inner windows (perhaps interior decorating gone too far? - no, it was abandoned!). So a sneak inside (via a window) revealed an office that had been deserted since (I’m figuring by dates on calendars) the 90’s, albeit with furnishings that appeared to be from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. The two-s

A hike to a tiny abandoned Japanese mountain village called Irorijyuku. It was discarded after an earthquake in 2013 with its buildings deemed as unliveable, so nobody returned. Its unaccessible due to blocked off roads and heavy snow fall so we hiked up the mountain with snow shoes to check it out. The buiildings are almost buried completely in snow. #abandoned #abandonedjapan #shanethoms #haikyo

This crumbling hospital was located on one of the surrounding islands off the coast of Hiroshima. Built seemingly 100 years ago and covered in vines and shrubs, it was a beautiful site. Not much was inside apart from rubbish and used white goods from the neighbouring houses. #ShaneThoms #abandonedjapan #haikyo #Abandoned

Located in Nara prefecture, this tiny little mountain schoool would be impossible to find if you didnt already know of its existence. Situated in the middle of the mountains at the end of a tiny winding road, this wooden two story school closed down many years ago, leaving behind a number if interesting bits and pieces in its classrooms and hallways. In the science room we found animal organs floating in formaldehyde, dusty books still sitting on shelves in the library and in

Gunkanjima sits about 15 kilometers south of Nagasaki city. Initially opened in 1887, this small island operated as a coalmine base which also housed its many miners and families. Mitsubishi (its last owner) closed the facility permanently in 1974 along with a number of other coal mining plants across Japan. For forty years, this concrete island and its many buildings have been left to decay…and in place of what was once a thriving island mining town is now an enchantingly

Abandoned since 2000 and something??....not sure about exact times, but it was a nice find. Everything still in its place. Nice operating theatre and dental ward. Nagasaki Prefecture. #ShaneThoms #abandonedjapan #Haikyo #abandoned

Love hotels are dotted all over Japan. They operate as short stay establishments where couples can fool around in the privacy of an intimate space for a few hours, or maybe an entire night. Most tend to adopt a fun theme to attract prospective punters (such as jungle, medieval, Moroccan or American Colonial etc) and a lot of effort is put into their interior and exterior style. These places are extremely popular all over Japan and get an abundance of business. Once a popular

Abandoned theme parks are always fun to check out (more so than visiting active theme parks). Built in 1975 and with a North American western colonial theme, its doors were closed forever in 2007 (due to lack of public interest). It now sits abandoned, derelict and rotting away on the edge of a small rural town. I reached the park in the early afternoon after a long drive (I was actually on my way to an abandoned hotel in the mountains and sort of stumbled across this place)