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

An abandoned coal mine filled with bits and pieces. Heaps of tools and even motorbikes and scooters still lying around covered in dust. #abandonedjapan #ShaneThoms

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

Made completely of wood, this old decaying secondary college was hidden far away in what seemed to be a small forgotten village in a valley. The main school building was long and narrow and access proved to be a little difficult, but we found an entry point at the back. The hallway on the first floor was heavily rotted and we had to step around the skirting boards or risk falling straight through. Some classrooms were sparse however a few on the second floor still had des

As much a Japanese cultural icon as sushi, onsens and anime, pachinko and slot parlours can be found in every city and almost every town. Because of their brightly lit, loud and (seemingly) fun ambience, they can often be mistaken by foreigners as a type of amusement centre. But pachinko parlours have a darker side and are a known haven for gambling addicts. Many of these parlours also have a bad reputation for harbouring the criminal activities of Japanese crime syndicate

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

A crumbled and dilapidated biofactory I visited on a sunny spring day in Hokkaido. Many beautiful rooms filled with green moss and other bits and pieces. #abandonedjapan #ShaneThoms

Just outside of Tokyo sits this long abandoned military base covered in kudzu vine. Climbed through a hole in a fence. #abandonedjapan