Earlier this year, right after my Eat Japan trip finished, I headed off to Hachijo island (far off the coast of Tokyo) for some solo adventure time.
The original intent was to do some hiking, taste some local treats, and maybe get in a bit of scuba diving (much too cold for the last one). However, I was sidetracked on day two after I discovered the existence of The Royal Hotel while searching for interesting things to see and do on the island.
The Royal Hotel (later known as the Pricia Resort Hachijo, then as the Hachijo Oriental Resort) was once the largest hotel in all of Japan. Built in 1963, it was the gem of the island known as the “Hawaii of Japan”. It remained as a functioning hotel until 2006, when it was suddenly closed down without any formal explanation.
I scoured the Internet for information. Sites such as thisΒ (also this, and this) all fueled my desire to go and check it out for myself.
Seeing as the hotel was about a ten minute walk from my hostel, I figured it’d be a shame to not at least see it from the outside and snap a few photos. In the end, I was lucky enough to spend an entire half-day exploring the premises in full.
I didn’t see a single soul the entire time I was there–and honestly, it was super creepy at times. A very unusual, unique experience to be sure.
So, without further ado, please enjoy some of the shots I took on my outing that day (all shot with my Samsung Galaxy S7 phone).























Note:Β Although The Royal Hotel is effectively abandoned, it is indeed still owned by some entity. Being private property, it is illegal to enter even the grounds of the hotel, so keep that in mind should you be in the area. Also, it appears that they are taking steps to slowly clean the place up (for whatever reason), so who knows how long the hotel will remain in its present state.
Really loved seeing the pictures capturing what you saw that day. Just remarkable!
Wow!
this place is cool. Should be reopen – a job for you π
See you soon in Bangkok
See you soon man!
Great pics!! Looks like such an interesting place to explore. Definitely on my must do list for Japan, Thanks
My pleasure! Just a short, $100 plane trip from Tokyo. π
great pictures scott really like them…..like the inside out rooms….amazing
Insane pictures
Loved the captures you got with your Samsung Galaxy S7.
Very good quality.
It should definitely reopen.
Wow, loving these pics – u should become a professional photographer with those skills π shame your Samsung Galaxy S7 ran low on battery, coz I could really have done with some more of these amazing shoots… it really helped with my school project… THANKYOU
I want to go there to play that piano…