Explorer uncovers abandoned Japanese village where houses, shrines and temples have given way to trees after residents were evacuated for a dam – which was never built
- Nagatani Village, deep in the country’s Ohi District, was once a tight-knit community populated by 70 people
- But residents were forced out when it was announced that a dam would be constructed nearby in 1966
- Community fought vehemently against the proposed dam but left one-by-one in decades that followed
- Village eventually deserted in ’90s when last resident moved on – despite plans to build dam being scrapped
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Fascinating footage shows an urban explorer uncovering an abandoned Japanese village that has lay empty for more than two decades.
Nagatani Village, which is deep in the country’s Ohi District, was once a thriving tight-knit community populated by 70 people.
But they were forced out when it was announced a dam would be constructed nearby in 1966. Villagers vehemently fought against the plan but ultimately lost and left one-by-one in the years that followed.
Fascinating footage shows an explorer uncovering an abandoned Japanese village that has lay empty for more than two decades
Houses, shrines and temples that had been knocked down by overgrown trees which took root in the remains of Nagatani Village
Deep in the country’s Ohi District, the village was once a thriving tight-knit community populated by 70 people. Here, a children’s climbing frame has been reduced to rust
Residents were forced out when it was announced a dam would be constructed nearby in 1966. An overhead shot shows what is left of the deserted settlement
Nagatani was eventually deserted in the ’90s when the last resident moved on – despite plans to build the dam being scrapped.
Explorer Kei Oumawatari discovered houses, shrines and temples that had been knocked down by overgrown trees which took root in the remains.
Mr Oumawatari said the saddest part of the experience was knowing the villagers left their homes for no reason.
He said: ‘There were some people who were against the plan and decided to remain in the village.
Villagers vehemently fought against the plan but ultimately lost and left one-by-one in the years that followed. Pictured: A half-collapsed temple surrounded by overgrowth
Nagatani was eventually deserted in the ’90s when the last resident moved on – despite plans to build the dam being scrapped
Explorer Kei Oumawatari discovered houses, shrines and temples that had been knocked down by overgrown trees which took root in the remains
Old ropes, brooms and brushes and other houshold appliances are strewn across the floor after being left more than 20 years ago
‘However, one by one they left and more than 20 years ago and the village became abandoned.
‘I met the last person who left – who is now 86-years-old – and he said he never thought he would live outside of the village.
‘He also said there used to be many fish when he was little but after the people left, the fish left.’