Matsuo mine


Located just outside of Hachimantai, this long abandoned sulfur mine housed about 15,000 workers before becoming abandoned in the late 70's. The first time I visited it was raining hard and an intense, thick fog descended over the valley. I sat in my car for about 2 hours waiting for a break and just watched as the low clouds moved and hovered over and between the rows of haunting abandoned apartment blocks (a truly stunning and fierce visual). Each time I got out to take a photo, the torrential rain completely drenched me, so I decided to give up and head back the following day.