Offbeat Japan An Alternative Guide to Japan
Offbeat Japan An Alternative Guide to Japan
Exploring abandoned Western Village ruins in Tochigi, Japan: urban adventure with three women.
Exploring the abandoned Western Village ruins with three women in Tochigi, Japan.
TochigiUrbex

The Abandoned Western Village in Japan

April 14, 2017
commentaires
2 minutes de lecture

Exploration of the abandoned Western Village in Japan with three girls who enjoyed pretending to be part of a western movie.

The Western Village (ウエスタン村) is a relatively quite famous abandoned theme park in Japan. I had the chance to visit it many times, but I would like to share with you the photos taken during my very last visit.

abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

My friend Satomi has three daughters: Kaoru, Marin and Naomi. They were very keen to cosplay in a haikyo so I took them there, and indeed, we had lot of fun. Here are the result in photos, you can make up your own story. Meanwhile, I will tell you a bit more about the Western Village.

Kaoru, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

Once known as the Kinugawa Ranch, this village was built around 1973.

Naomi, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

At the time it was a very simple place where visitors could enjoy cowboy-style activities.

Kaoru, Marin, Naomi, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

The owner, a local man called Ominami-san, said that the purpose in life is not to earn money but to make dreams come true and that is basically what he did.

Kaoru, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

The ranch became a proper theme park in 1975 and was renamed Western Village.

Naomi, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

This haikyo, near Nikko in Tochigi prefecture, is easily accessible on a one-day trip from Tokyo, so I had plenty of chances to visit.

abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

The entrance is practically unprotected and has many openings that make access easy for anyone. The owner perhaps stopped caring about trying to keep the new breed of tourists out.

Naomi, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

A stream divides Western Village into two – the actual village, extremely Far West ambiance with barber, bank, prison, saloons… everything is here, just like a movie set (which is where we are, in this article) – and the “Mexican” side.

abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

Ominami-san extended his theme park each year, to the detriment of his profit margin.

Naomi, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

In 1995, he even added a replica of the famous Mount Rushmore, seemingly on an impulse.

abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

The park closed in 2007 and is now virtually forgotten.

Kaoru, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

But from time to time, tourists driving around the Nikko area are taken aback by this Japanese version of Mount Rushmore that looms up for a second…

Kaoru, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

…and they have to come back to check it isn’t a hallucination!

Kaoru, Marin, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

The Western Village is now being demolished, little by little.

Kaoru, Marin, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

And it is sad, as it was a fabulous haikyo, especially for those girls who really enjoy it 🙂

Kaoru, abandoned, amusement-park, asia, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

They also visited an abandoned school, so if you are interested in seeing that, please kick me in the comments to post about it 🙂

More Photos

abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, marin, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, marin, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, french, haikyo, japan, japanese, jordy-meow, kanto, kaoru, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, marin, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, marin, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, marin, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, marin, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, kaoru, marin, naomi, people, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex
abandoned, amusement-park, attraction-park, haikyo, japan, japanese, kanto, ruin, theme-park, tochigi, urban exploration, urbex

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

commentaires

  • Hi there!

    Do you know if Western Village has already been demolished? I’m intending to explore this place (staying in Shinjuku. Oh dear) in December 2017.

    Do let me know please?

    If you could, do drop me an email at stefanie.mil@gmail.com and I’d love to have a haikyo meet-up with you too!

    Thanks a lot 🙂

    Cheers,
    Steff

    • Hi Steff! Not sure but I think it’s still there. Sorry, but I don’t do haikyo meet-up generally, I go with the same friends nowadays and it became a rare thing since I am very busy with new projects. But I wish you the best and to enjoy Japan a lot 🙂

      • Thanks so much for letting me know, Jordy! Hmm. I think I’ll take a risk and make a trip to WV 🙂 Haha.

À lire aussi...

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

Instagram

Moss blankets the ground,
Sunlight dances through the trees,
Path of ancient stone.

苔の絨毯
木漏れ日の舞い
古の石道

#offbeatjapan #japan #forestwhispers #sacredwoods #ancientpath #mysticalforest #naturelover

82 0
Open
Moss blankets the ground, Sunlight dances through the trees, Path of ancient stone. 苔の絨毯 木漏れ日の舞い 古の石道 #offbeatjapan #japan #forestwhispers #sacredwoods #ancientpath #mysticalforest #naturelover
View on Instagram

Neon whispers glow,
Crimson lanterns guide the past,
Night`s embrace unites.

光る囁き、
真紅の提灯が導く、
夜は過去を。

#offbeatjapan #japan #urbanexploration #neonnights #traditionaljapan #urbanshrine #nightphotography #contrast

180 1
Open
Neon whispers glow, Crimson lanterns guide the past, Night's embrace unites.光る囁き、 真紅の提灯が導く、 夜は過去を。#offbeatjapan #japan #urbanexploration #neonnights #traditionaljapan #urbanshrine #nightphotography #contrast
View on Instagram

Below the train`s hum,
Neon whispers paint the night—
Cobalt dreams unfold.

電車の下で
ネオンが夜を彩る—
コバルトの夢。

---

#offbeatjapan #japan #yokochovibes #neonnights #japanesenightlife #urbanexploration #cozycorners #cobaltblue

241 1
Open
Below the train's hum, Neon whispers paint the night— Cobalt dreams unfold. 電車の下で ネオンが夜を彩る— コバルトの夢。---#offbeatjapan #japan #yokochovibes #neonnights #japanesenightlife #urbanexploration #cozycorners #cobaltblue
View on Instagram

Pruned pine whispers calm,
Old wood meets azure blue skies,
Mountains hug the past.

切りそろえた松の静けさ
古木と青空、出会う
山々に抱かれた過去

#offbeatjapan #japan #traditionalvillage #woodenarchitecture #serenescenes #historicjapan #natureandheritage

258 0
Open
Pruned pine whispers calm, Old wood meets azure blue skies, Mountains hug the past. 切りそろえた松の静けさ 古木と青空、出会う 山々に抱かれた過去 #offbeatjapan #japan #traditionalvillage #woodenarchitecture #serenescenes #historicjapan #natureandheritage
View on Instagram

Eternal blue mist,
Torii guards the ocean`s breath,
Whispers from the past.

永遠の青霧
鳥居が海の息を守る
過去からのささやき

#ToriiSpirit #CoastalJapan #SacredSeas #VolcanicRocks #BlueDusk #offbeatjapan #japan

311 1
Open
Eternal blue mist, Torii guards the ocean's breath, Whispers from the past.永遠の青霧 鳥居が海の息を守る 過去からのささやき#ToriiSpirit #CoastalJapan #SacredSeas #VolcanicRocks #BlueDusk #offbeatjapan #japan
View on Instagram

Scarlet sea of brush,
Winding path through fire ablaze,
Beneath blue whispers.

---

紅色の絨毯、
火に包まれた道、
青空の下。

---

#HitachiSeasidePark #kochia #floralwonderland #vibrantjapan #offbeatjapan #naturelovers #japan

288 1
Open
Scarlet sea of brush, Winding path through fire ablaze, Beneath blue whispers. ---紅色の絨毯、 火に包まれた道、 青空の下。---#HitachiSeasidePark #kochia #floralwonderland #vibrantjapan #offbeatjapan #naturelovers #japan
View on Instagram

Winter`s hushed embrace,
Blue snow hides the sacred glow—
Golden lights whisper.

---

冬の静けさ
青い雪が隠す
金の灯の囁き

---

#wintersilence #japanesewinter #shintoshrine #snowymystery #sacredglow #goldenlight #offbeatjapan #japan

330 2
Open
Winter's hushed embrace, Blue snow hides the sacred glow— Golden lights whisper. ---冬の静けさ 青い雪が隠す 金の灯の囁き---#wintersilence #japanesewinter #shintoshrine #snowymystery #sacredglow #goldenlight #offbeatjapan #japan
View on Instagram

Quiet rabbit rests,
Moss blankets dreams in sunlight,
Echoes of the past.

静かなウサギ、
苔に夢を託し、
過去の声が響く。

#RabbitIsland #Ōkunoshima #NatureLovers #HistoricJapan #MossyDreams #OffbeatJapan #Japan

267 0
Open
Quiet rabbit rests, Moss blankets dreams in sunlight, Echoes of the past. 静かなウサギ、 苔に夢を託し、 過去の声が響く。 #RabbitIsland #Ōkunoshima #NatureLovers #HistoricJapan #MossyDreams #OffbeatJapan #Japan
View on Instagram