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
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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The park closed in 2007 and is now virtually forgotten.

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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 🙂

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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

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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 [email protected] 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

Lost in time on this charming street, where history, traditional architecture, and stunning nature merge beautifully. Discover the heart of Japan’s ceramic artistry and its serene beauty.

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歴史、伝統的な建築、そして美しい自然が見事に調和するこの魅力的な通りで、時を忘れる。日本の陶芸とその静かな美しさを発見してみてください。

---

#ceramics #history #traditionaljapan #architecture #nature #offbeatjapan #japan

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Lost in time on this charming street, where history, traditional architecture, and stunning nature merge beautifully. Discover the heart of Japan’s ceramic artistry and its serene beauty.---歴史、伝統的な建築、そして美しい自然が見事に調和するこの魅力的な通りで、時を忘れる。日本の陶芸とその静かな美しさを発見してみてください。---#ceramics #history #traditionaljapan #architecture #nature #offbeatjapan #japan
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Step through the iconic red torii gate into a serene, sacred space where nature and spirituality meet in harmony, a beautiful embodiment of Japan`s Shinto traditions. 🌿🇯🇵 #NatureLovers

---

赤い鳥居をくぐり、自然と精神性が調和する静かな聖域へ。日本の神道の伝統を美しく体現しています。🌿🇯🇵 #自然愛好家

---

#offbeatjapan #japan #shinto #torii #sacredspace #nature #spirituality #forestpath

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Step through the iconic red torii gate into a serene, sacred space where nature and spirituality meet in harmony, a beautiful embodiment of Japan's Shinto traditions. 🌿🇯🇵 #NatureLovers --- 赤い鳥居をくぐり、自然と精神性が調和する静かな聖域へ。日本の神道の伝統を美しく体現しています。🌿🇯🇵 #自然愛好家--- #offbeatjapan #japan #shinto #torii #sacredspace #nature #spirituality #forestpath
View on Instagram

Witness Tokyo`s dazzling evening skyline with Mount Fuji`s silhouette gracing the horizon—a perfect blend of urban energy and natural beauty. 🌆🌸

---

富士山のシルエットが地平線を飾る、東京の華やかな夜景の眺め。都市のエネルギーと自然の美しさが見事に調和しています。🌆🌸

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#TokyoNights #MountFuji #CityscapeLove #JapanViews #UrbanBeauty #OffbeatJapan #Japan

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Witness Tokyo's dazzling evening skyline with Mount Fuji's silhouette gracing the horizon—a perfect blend of urban energy and natural beauty. 🌆🌸---富士山のシルエットが地平線を飾る、東京の華やかな夜景の眺め。都市のエネルギーと自然の美しさが見事に調和しています。🌆🌸---#TokyoNights #MountFuji #CityscapeLove #JapanViews #UrbanBeauty #OffbeatJapan #Japan
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Discover the beauty of Japan`s countryside where ancient traditions meet modern life. The vibrant fields and serene landscapes remind us of nature`s harmony and human artistry.

日本の田舎の美しさを発見しましょう。伝統と現代が出会う場所です。鮮やかな田んぼと静かな景色が、自然の調和と人の技を思い出させてくれます。

#RuralEscape #NatureAndCulture #ScenicJapan #JapaneseCountryside #offbeatjapan #japan #HiddenGemsJapan

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Discover the beauty of Japan's countryside where ancient traditions meet modern life. The vibrant fields and serene landscapes remind us of nature's harmony and human artistry.日本の田舎の美しさを発見しましょう。伝統と現代が出会う場所です。鮮やかな田んぼと静かな景色が、自然の調和と人の技を思い出させてくれます。#RuralEscape #NatureAndCulture #ScenicJapan #JapaneseCountryside #offbeatjapan #japan #HiddenGemsJapan
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Lost in the misty embrace of Japan`s mountains, this hidden village showcases the stunning connection between human life and nature. 🌿🏡

日本の山々の霧に包まれたこの隠れ里は、人間と自然の美しい共存を見せてくれます。🌿🏡

#MistyMountains #HiddenVillage #RuralJapan #NatureAndCulture #MountainLife #OffbeatJapan #Japan

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Lost in the misty embrace of Japan's mountains, this hidden village showcases the stunning connection between human life and nature. 🌿🏡日本の山々の霧に包まれたこの隠れ里は、人間と自然の美しい共存を見せてくれます。🌿🏡#MistyMountains #HiddenVillage #RuralJapan #NatureAndCulture #MountainLife #OffbeatJapan #Japan
View on Instagram

Nature`s magic in Japan 🇯🇵: A dreamy, moss-covered waterfall flows like silk, creating a peaceful, mystical scene. 🌿✨ Capturing the harmony of Japanese landscapes.

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日本の自然の魔法 🇯🇵: 夢のような苔むした滝が絹のように流れ、平和で神秘的な光景を作り出します。🌿✨ 日本の風景の調和を捉えました。

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#MossyWaterfall #NatureLovers #SereneEscape #JapaneseAesthetics #offbeatjapan #japan #JapanLandscape

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Nature's magic in Japan 🇯🇵: A dreamy, moss-covered waterfall flows like silk, creating a peaceful, mystical scene. 🌿✨ Capturing the harmony of Japanese landscapes.---日本の自然の魔法 🇯🇵: 夢のような苔むした滝が絹のように流れ、平和で神秘的な光景を作り出します。🌿✨ 日本の風景の調和を捉えました。---#MossyWaterfall #NatureLovers #SereneEscape #JapaneseAesthetics #offbeatjapan #japan #JapanLandscape
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Nature`s masterpiece: Japan`s breathtaking terraced rice fields, or "tanada," show us how to blend tradition with stunning natural beauty. 🌿

自然の傑作：日本の美しい棚田が、伝統と壮大な自然の美しさをどう融合するかを教えてくれます。🌿

#tanada #ricefields #offbeatjapan #japan #naturephotography #sustainablefarming #japaneseculture

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Nature's masterpiece: Japan's breathtaking terraced rice fields, or "tanada," show us how to blend tradition with stunning natural beauty. 🌿自然の傑作：日本の美しい棚田が、伝統と壮大な自然の美しさをどう融合するかを教えてくれます。🌿#tanada #ricefields #offbeatjapan #japan #naturephotography #sustainablefarming #japaneseculture
View on Instagram

Discover the charm of Japan`s hidden alleyways, where traditional homes, colorful bicycles, and lush plants create a peaceful scene straight out of a storybook.

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物語のように美しい日本の隠れた路地、伝統的な家とカラフルな自転車、そして緑豊かな植物が静かな風景を作り出します。

---

#hiddenjapan #quaintalley #discoverjapan #traditionaljapan #serenespot #offbeatjapan #japan

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Discover the charm of Japan's hidden alleyways, where traditional homes, colorful bicycles, and lush plants create a peaceful scene straight out of a storybook.---物語のように美しい日本の隠れた路地、伝統的な家とカラフルな自転車、そして緑豊かな植物が静かな風景を作り出します。---#hiddenjapan #quaintalley #discoverjapan #traditionaljapan #serenespot #offbeatjapan #japan
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