The Hachijo Royal was opened in 1963 located in Hachijō-jima, a volcanic island located nearly 180 miles away from Tokyo. The 60’s were a busy era in Japanese history. The government made it nearly impossible to get a passport to travel abroad so local tourism was abundant. The Hachijo Royal hotel was opened on the volcanic paradise island and tourism was bustling. It was promoted as the “Hawaii of Japan”.
30 years later and times changed. Traveling abroad became the norm and spending your earnings traveling to a local island soon lost its appeal. The hotel was forced to close its doors in 2006. The salty air and humid conditions have ensured a swift deterioration of the once stunning building. As the years go on, the potential of finding a new owner diminishes more and more. Recently this photographer decided to make the trip to check out the abandoned hotel and the pictures are incredible. It is amazing that this once booming building is now decaying more every day.
H/T: dead inside
The amount of time and materials invested into this property is astonishing. The fact that it was just abandoned and left alone is what blows my mind. The fixtures, the pool table, the chairs and statues seem like they would love to find a new home where they are appreciated. They will all go back to the earth with time and I’m glad that someone was able to capture the pictures of this dying building on a paradise island in Japan.