Tatami Garden

It's very likely that this abandoned hot spring hotel in the middle of the Boso Peninsula in Chiba is just another victim of the economic bubble that burst as the 80s turned into the 90s. Many such places exist in Japan and are well-documented by at least a couple of photographers who write about them in English here and here. I'm a fan of their work and was totally pumped to accidentally find my own little haikyo (ruin), which doesn't appear to have been discovered by either of them. It's smack in the middle of a hot spring town that has clearly seen better days.

The lobby is not the most inviting one I've seen - the creepy, winking, kiss-blowing mask does not exude omotenashi, at all.
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Walking straight through the lobby takes us into an 'atmospheric' bar-slash-piano room, where well-aged cognac can be found, as well as some fluorescent liquids in bottles. Though tempted, I did not partake.
The main floor also houses an onsen (hot spring) that might have once been a popular bathing spot, but today looks decisively cold and uninviting.
Further exploring reveals crumbling hallways and a staircase leading to the second floor.
The upstairs is in much better shape but has been vandalized by people passionate about destroying sinks and toilets. Is there something especially satisfying about smashing a bathroom sink?
Room amenities include broken doors, screens with holes, and demolished chairs.  The tatami floors have become swollen with age and moisture and make a peculiar squishing sound when walked on.
The scene repeats on each of the subsequent floors (4 total) of this crumbling hotel. But there is one room which stands out - the presidential suite, the room with a garden planted in the tatami floor.
All photos taken with Sony A7s and Canon FD 24mm f2.8