Kuroshio Inn, Japan

Kuroshio Inn is an old and very famous Japanese haikyo (ruin). Images of this classic location regularly pepper Instagram feeds and Haikyo blogs. Certainly, this location offers a blend of wonderful natural decay and vintage charm.

Kuroshio (黒潮 ) means “black tide”. This nickname relates to the current which flows along the southern coast of Japan. This flow diverges from the North Equatorial current, which flows to the south. The current flows passed Taiwan and through the East China Sea, then northwards to Japan. The water has a bluish-black appearance, owing to low amounts of plankton. This transparent and dark appearance earned the name “black tide”.

Visitors usually only photograph one room at Kurshio Inn, and with good reason. The lobby area features a beautiful mix of decay and colourful 1970s decor. Many orange and yellow kitsch lamps hang on the ceiling. These have slid down over the years, and are now hoisted to various heights. The leather chairs are a complimentary turquoise. There are also two chandeliers which hang precariously from the rotting ceiling.

Kuroshio Inn perched atop a hill

From the nearest road access, the hotel is not visible. You might be forgiven for concluding that you have been given bad information. The hotel is located high above you, the old roads obscured by dense vegetation. The track is crumbling and ridden with potholes, and the forest is filled with the sounds of wildlife.

Arriving at Kuroshio Inn close to sunset, we walked briskly up the hill to chase the last hour of daylight. The early evening breeze was offering pleasant refreshment after a particularly hot day exploring.

When we arrived at the summit, the exterior did not fill us with confidence. The drab exterior is typical 1970s form-over-function. For the most part, the rooms are empty apart from the occasional destroyed futon or table.