Comments on: Behemothic hotel, abandoned like a beached whale

By: All the Demolished Haikyo | Michael John Grist

All the Demolished Haikyo | Michael John Grist — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:18:23 +0000

[...] Shin Shu Kanko Hotel, Nagano- Currently being demolished (tip Paul) [...]

By: 10 abandoned haikyo chairs | michael john grist

10 abandoned haikyo chairs | michael john grist — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:22:55 +0000

[...] Shin Shu Kanko hotel lobby [...]

By: MJG

MJG — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:52:58 +0000

Umelma- Hi, and my pleasure to share, I’m glad you’re liking it, and perhaps even drawing inspiration from some of the haikyo . Me not in every shot, I totally understand- I want it to be about the location and the exploration first. Stuff about me sometimes gets added in, but that’s usually because I feel it adds to the atmosphere.

By: Unelma

Unelma — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:53:01 +0000

Hi!
Thanks for sharing your stories and pics with everyone. I really loved the mosaic pic. I might copy the idea in the future if I ever get to design a bathroom large enough By the way, I like it that you are not in every shot It would ruin the experience when someone is reading because this way it feels like I was there and not like I’m just looking at your pics.

By: MJG

MJG — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:55:39 +0000

Mike- Cheers, and yeah I worried some about how I present the photos, how they link to me, whether I’m providing ammo for someone who might want to prosecute something. I used to have more photos of me in the ruins, with more video- but I took a lot of that stuff down. I still tell the story of how I enter the locations, which may be incriminating- but it’s hardly evidence. I suppose it boils down to- I don’t think anyone wants to prosecute this. That’s another reason I didn’t enter the US Air Base in Fuchu; the US Air Force may well have prosecuted.

Velo- Thanks, this comment made my day. I have already made a difference- now I can sit back and play Civ 4 until I die About the future ruins of NYC- well, those are some of the most intriguing visions of the apocalypse: I am Legend, The Day after Tomorrow, Cloverfield, Planet of the Apes, and so on. Of course they have a very different character from rural Japan haikyos.

Alice- Thanks Al, I definitely appreciate that. I’m glad that that time is far enough away that I can now draw a line through it, straight through from the time before to the time now, and even into the future. When I was stuck in those doldrums had no idea how any of it connected. Has it made me wiser- I suppose so, though not how I expected
USA, right, pops into my head every now and then. Would have to train to do something I think. Perhaps I could go back to the summer camp I worked at in Boston? Hmm..

By: Alice

Alice — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:29:49 +0000

Aw geez bro I feel so proud of you. I’m glad you are happy. Being in your twenties is a testing ground for life, I reckon, and you happen to have tested yourself more extremely than most. Especially with the isolation you seem to have put yourself in. It’s like you went on some native inspired shamanic style walkabout on your lonesome and spanning the globe. You have come back wiser and with a new zest for life, it’s impressive, and what you have done and are doing is clearly inspirational to people – hence all your readers above!!!!

I see your mate Jason is asking about US Visas, I wish you would move there – it’s closer for big sis to visit!!!

Alice xxxx

By: Velo

Velo — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:05:22 +0000

Amazing. . . at first I mused that some day the current glut of unsold glass condo towers here in NYC will yield the same sort of pictures now that our RE bubble has burst, but on second thought I don’t think they’d ever have the same poignancy as abandoned sento stalls or buckling tatami mats. Our haikyo will have a different flavor.

Thanks for sharing, as well as the comments on your personal life. You have already made a difference in the world and need never feel lonely or disconnected. Although that’s an inevitable part of the human condition anyway. . .

Velo

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:18:48 +0000

Nice post as usual ^^. It was cool to read about your thoughts at the end and how you’ve progressed in Japan, made friends and got a life for yourself! You guys have been inspiring doing your haikyo trips and photography (I’m on the verge of moving up cameras myself, but don’t want the bulk..)

I’ve always wondered though, this is your personal site, with your name on all the pictures and such. Do you not worry about getting itno trouble for doing this sort of thing? It’s the only thing worrying me about posting pictures of the haiyo I’ve been doing recently on my own site…

By: MJG

MJG — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:09:15 +0000

Lee- Cheers, think I’m starting to understand the d90 better. Compared to Sports World or Nichitsu, well, I wouldn’t recommend a trip just for this place, whereas I would for the other two. But for what it was, and since we were in the neighbourhood anyway, I was very satisfied. First large size haikyo onsen for me – nice.

Kelly- No worries- SY’s my gf yeah

Alien snakes- I don’t really know. Black pipes, ventilation I guess, they must have fallen down from the roof.

I’m really glad you’ve enjoyed these posts- and for sure there’ll be more coming. I can draw a straight line through my life of a fascination with these kinds of places- and I don’t doubt it’ll continue. At the same time, I’ll be shooting for other things in similar veins- we’ll see if those pan out. Hokkaido onsen- thanks, but let’s keep that one in reserve for now

Jason- Couldn’t believe you were really lost! Strange layout to that place. Were those hotel rooms you were walking around- or service stuff? Strange you’d have to go up to go back down and get out.

Mental state, right. It struck me as very different from the first day. Visa- under consideration…

Tornadoes- Cheers, and the usual questions ne- the ones that keep us intrigued and coming back for more. You were in Tochigi recently, would’ve been great if you’d been able to get over to Ashio. That place is quite spectacular. As for my haikyo plans- probably yes, on into the future, and as for my plans to stay in Japan- I don’t have strong plans either way, I’ll stay until I can think of another place to be that’ll suit me better. For now Japan is cutting it OK.

James Mallon- Thanks, glad you can understand where I was coming from. Cycling is one of my hobbies too- looking forward to busting out the bike now as the weather starts to warm up. F my head up, in good way or bad? I’ll guess bad- but interested to hear more…

J-eye- Thanks, been trying to shoot in ways that interest me. As I think you know- a lot of trashed rooms tend to look the same. Got to pick out the best bits and home in. Lot of good material at this place for sure- old enough to have nature damage, young enough to still have some furnishings and not be totally trashed. Driver’s license- just got mine. Unstoppable now!

By: thejapaneseeye

thejapaneseeye — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:27:24 +0000

Excellent post, this looks like a really amazing haikyo, your photos have started to get a lot better, different perspectives and great lighting, keep it up, am inspired to get out and shoot more haikyo, just need the time (and a drivers license)