Exploring an Abandoned Resort Town in Japan

A group of explorers has recently uncovered a largely overlooked resort town in Japan that now stands mostly deserted.

Situated along the Kida River in Nikko, Tochigi Province, this area was once a bustling hotspot for tourists, famous for its hot springs and accommodations nestled among impressive cliffs.

Luke Bradburn, a 28-year-old explorer, shared his experience with a news agency: “When I stumbled upon this entire district of abandoned hotels, I was actually looking for other spots nearby. It felt like stepping into a ghost town.”

This resort emerged during the 1970s, a time when Japan’s economy soared during its postwar boom.

Interestingly, the area’s fortune took a downturn, revealing that locations like Kigawa’s Onsen couldn’t endure for long.

In the late 1980s, fiscal policies and other actions led to surging stock prices and real estate valuations. However, Japan soon encountered what would be termed the “Lost Decade” of the 1990s when its economic bubble burst.

Japan endured a prolonged recession marked by plummeting stock prices and deflation, exacerbated by the Ministry of Finance’s interest rate hikes. This, in turn, stifled demand and slowed business investment significantly.

Some analysts have referred to the term “lost decades” to encompass events like the 2008 recession and the Fukushima disaster, which further contributed to economic turbulence from the 2000s onward.

Despite these challenges, Japan remains a significant player in the global economy, although its share of the world’s nominal GDP has shrunk significantly since the 1990s.

In the 1990s, places like Kida Canabis fell victim to growing economic pessimism and other surrounding issues. Previously vibrant vacation spots have lost their appeal. Urban planning expert Professor Shigeru Itoh noted these changes in the region back in 2005.

Reflecting on the atmosphere of the deserted area, Bradburn commented, “You can almost sense what life was like at its peak, and then… it just stopped. It’s creepy, sad, and charming all at once.”