A passage once leading to relaxation now descends into ruin.
These stone steps once guided guests toward the public onsen, where the warmth of natural spring water met the crisp mountain air. Now, they are buried under the weight of time, strewn with shattered plaster, broken beams, and the wreckage of a slow, inevitable collapse.
The structural decay here is relentless. Years of water seepage have rotted the wooden supports, allowing heavy snowfall to settle and accumulate each winter, pressing down on weakened beams until they finally gave way. What began as gradual wear has accelerated into destruction, each season pulling the building further into itself.
A forgotten bouquet stands amidst the wreckage, an artificial tribute left behind. Its colours remain untouched by decay, a stark contrast to the splintered remains surrounding it. Like the hotel itself, it lingers in a space between memory and erasure, caught in the long, quiet process of being reclaimed.
This fine art photography print captures the haunting beauty of Kinugawa Kan’s decay, offering a compelling piece for those who appreciate the intersection of history, abandonment, and time.