Opulent Marble Mansion Interior Design
Lavish marble mansion interior showcasing ornate classical design and breathtaking sunset views.

The Abandoned Marugen Mansion

Mad jaunt to the abandoned art warehouse of a real-estate magnate overtaken by greed.

The palatial Marugen Mansion is sited on a beautiful mountainside with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, less than two hours from Tokyo. One of many Marugen buildings, it’s owned by industrialist Genjiro Kawamoto. He used the mansion to store works of art.

Marugen Mansion
Marugen Mansion

Unscrupulous real-estate magnate

Kawamoto is a billionaire who made his fortune renting out buildings, making vast profits as property prices soared at a time of economic boom.

Marugen Mansion
Marugen Mansion

At the height of his career, Kawamoto owned up to 60 buildings in Ginza, Atami and Kokura (his hometown). He was nicknamed “the construction king of Ginza”. Although a billionaire, he was also known for his stinginess and extreme reluctance to spend anything on the maintenance and management of his properties.

Marugen Mansion
Marugen Mansion

Most of the Marugen properties were built between the 1960s and 1980s, when seismic standards were not yet in effect. The buildings have aged without being upgraded, tenants have left, some have been sold or demolished.

Marugen Mansion
Marugen Mansion

Kuwamoto also seemed unusually keen on saving money, especially on his taxes. His greed finally got the better of him.

Fall of the miserly billionaire

In 2013, he was arrested by the Tokyo prosecutor’s office for concealing 2.8 billion yen from the authorities, evading more than 800 million yen in taxes. During the trial he denied all the charges, claiming: “It’s just bullshit.”

Marugen Mansion
Marugen Mansion

In 2016, he was convicted, along with the Marugen company as a legal entity, for violating the Fire Services Act by failing to comply with the order to upgrade fire protection systems in two buildings in Kitakyushu city.

Marugen Mansion
Marugen Mansion

In 2018, Kuwamoto was sentenced to four years in prison and fined 240 million yen. He appealed, the trial was prolonged, but finally in January 2021 the Supreme Court rejected his appeal. Now 88, he will have to serve his prison sentence.

Marugen Mansion
Marugen Mansion

There are still four Marugen buildings in Atami, numbered 58 to 61. The latter is the billionaire’s “art warehouse”. As in a museum, you’ll find many collectables: statues, paintings, high-end furniture.

Marugen Mansion
Marugen Mansion

The buildings have been securely locked to deter thieves as well as … curious kids. 🤗

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

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

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

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Lush cliffs guard the sea, Deep blues kiss rocky outcrops, Isle whispers secrets.豊かな崖 青海と岩を抱く 島が囁く#offbeatjapan #hiddenjapan #coastallandscape #naturephotography #japan #serenebeauty #wanderlust
Emerald river, Concrete whispers through green trees— Harmony awakes.エメラルド川、 緑木々を抜ける音— 調和が目を覚ます。#hydropower #natureandtech #emeraldgreen #sustainableenergy #offbeatjapan #hiddenjapan #japan
Doll faces whisper, In kimono dreams they rest, Lifelike hues of peace. 関風と囁く、 着物の夢に眠る、 平和の色。#offbeatjapan #japan #hinamatsuri #traditionalcrafts #japanesedolls #kimonolove #serenebeauty
Golden sun awakens, Whispering mist hugs green hills— Sky's mirror below. ---金色の太陽が目覚め、 囁く霧が緑の丘を包む— 空は下を映す。 ---#tanada #offbeatjapan #serenesunrise #japanlandscapes #mysticalmorning #ruraljapan #traditionalagriculture #japan
Sacred roof stands tall, Amid urban whispers hum— Time weaves old and new. 古き屋根、 街のささやき中、 時が編む。 #onochiciview #templevscity #ancientandmodern #urbanserenity #hillscapes #offbeatjapan #japan
Crimson dreams whisper, Wooden echoes of the past, In tranquil embrace.  赤夢囁く、 過去の木の響き、 静かな抱擁。  #DarumaDreams #ShrineQuietude #SereneJapan #RuralRetreat #CulturalSymbols #offbeatjapan #japan
Golden grasses sway, Ferris wheel rusts under sky— Blue, pink whispers past.---金色の草が揺れる、 錆びた観覧車の下で— 青とピンクの囁きが通り過ぎる。---#offbeatjapan #japan #haikyo #abandonedplaces #amusementpark #ferriswheel #nostalgia #urbanexploration
Emerald whispers, Jizo in crimson repose, Peace in quiet woods.---翡翠のささやき、 赤き地蔵の静寂、 静かな森の安らぎ。---#sacredjapan #jizostatue #forestbathing #serenity #spiritualjapan #offbeatjapan #japan