Overgrown industrial ruins reclaimed by nature in post-apocalyptic scene.

Urbex in Japan: Haikyo

The 80’s in Japan. Japan boosts its economy vehemently: the loans are made easier, there is a lot of money available, liquidity, and the Japanese have wages 30 to 40% higher than European salaries. They buy and speculate by every means. New factories, apartment buildings, golf courses, amusement park are built … the champagne flows! The speculative bubble, for its part, increases dangerously and eventually explodes on December 29, 1989. Two years later, the value of the Nikkei slumped over 50% and since then it has never stopped falling. A new landscape – post-apocalyptic – takes birth: haikyo world. A playground for enthusiasts of all kinds.

Tokyo Genso

Many haikyo (“ruins” in Japanese) are born in recent years. Amusement parks and arcades neglected, abandoned construction sites, forgotten hotels, ghost towns, deserted hospitals and schools… these places are thousands in Japan.

I started in 2010, and those explores are my first adventures (and therefore, photos aren’t so good, but the excitement is at its maximum):

Then, in 2011, I really got more serious, and more professional about it:

And here is the best I have visited: Gunkanjima. An abandoned island-city, the most famous ruin in Japan! 

Last but not least, I published a book with a selection of my best stories and photos. If you enjoy Japanese ruins, you will love this book. It’s available on Amazon (Amazon US) or you can ask your bookstore to order it.

abandoned, asia, book, japan, japanese

Then for more, visit my category Urbex: Urbex on Offbeat Japan 🙂 I have also made another website dedicated to ruins, it’s simply called Haikyo, and it’s here: Haikyo.

Haikyo - Tokyogenso Green

The images have been created by Tokyogenso. I suggest you visit his gallery here.

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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