Recent Activity

• January 14, 2010 michaeljohngrist wrote a blog post: 5 ruins of the Japanese sex industry

  We at the Atlas Obscura were lucky enough to be contacted by an intrepid explorer by the name of Michael John Grist.Located in Japan, Grist explores and photographs the ruins of Japan, known as ‘haikyo’, including abandoned theme parks, military installations, and ghost towns. Over a period of 6 years he has visited over 60 ruins locations throughout Japan and documented them in the Ruins Gallery.So with out further ado we are proud to present Michael John Grist with five ruins of the Japanes...

• January 3, 2010 michaeljohngrist added The Hotel Royal
  

  Japan

  The Hotel Royal

  This seven story Japanese love hotel now stands in ruins

  The Hotel Royal haikyo (a Japanese word for ruin) in Kanagawa is the grand-daddy of all love hotels, streaking 7 empty stories up into the big blue sky, a giant vermillion flag on the banks of... »

  Incredible Ruins, Haikyo | Edited by michaeljohngrist

• December 23, 2009 michaeljohngrist added The Pearl Love Hotel
  

  Japan

  The Pearl Love Hotel

  The ruin of a Japanese love hotel almost completely overgrown with brambles

  The Pearl Love Hotel Haikyo in Tochigi is a wreck in camouflage, deeply nested underneath a blanket of scraggy brown vines. Rooms lie in embers, grown through with ferns; once-bohemian beds,... »

  Incredible Ruins, Haikyo | Edited by michaeljohngrist

• December 23, 2009 michaeljohngrist added Akeno Gekijo: Ruined Japanese Stripclub
  

  Japan

  Akeno Gekijo: Ruined Japanese Stripclub

  This ruined Japanese stripclub sits half burnt to the ground

  In Japan, 'Hostess Bars' are bars where men pay to be flirted with. Attractive women sit by them, pour them drinks, stroke their thighs, pay them compliments, and these girls can make a fortune... »

  Incredible Ruins, Haikyo | Edited by michaeljohngrist

• December 22, 2009 michaeljohngrist added The Queen Chateau Soapland
  

  Japan

  The Queen Chateau Soapland

  The ruins of Japan’s premier water brothel

  An invention of the Japanese sex industry 'Soaplands' are descended from Turkish water brothels, places where the hard-working Japanese salaryman can go to get himself soaped down by a young and... »

  Watery Wonders, Follies and Grottoes, Incredible Ruins, Haikyo | Edited by michaeljohngrist

• December 21, 2009 michaeljohngrist added The Akasaka Love Hotel
  

  Tokyo, Japan

  The Akasaka Love Hotel

  The gaudy ruins of a poorly located Japanese Love Hotel

  In Japan 'Love Hotels' are a lot like roadside motels, designed with the express purpose of facilitating 'relations' between Japanese couples who still live at home, and have no access to a... »

  Commercial Curiosities, Odd Accommodations, Incredible Ruins, Haikyo | Edited by michaeljohngrist and atimian