Sky-Blue Clinic, Japan

Sky-Blue Clinic is an abandoned hospital and surgery on Honshu. It is also known as 空色医院 or 空色の廃医院. The clinic covers a large area, but most of it is locked or collapsed. The bamboo forest is taking over most of the hospital, edging where ceilings and walls have collapsed. The doctors offices and adjacent surgery are well-preserved, in contrast to the rest of the hospital.

The delivery room/surgery

The surgical theatre equipment caters for obstetrician-gynaecologist (ob-gyn) use. The bed has gynaecological stirrups, indicating this was likely a maternity clinic. On a table is a vintage scales with wicker basket; this is where newborn babies would be weighed. On the same table are various tins of swabs and dressings, as well as bowls of various sizes. There are also bottles of ointments and medicines. An examination lamp on wheels sits in the corner, next to the bed.

Down the clinic corridor, there is an old incubator. Premature infants would be placed here for special care in a neonatal ward.

The doctor’s office

In the doctor’s office, there is the desk upon which a small CRT screen and desktop computer sit. Files and medical books lay scattered across the desk, in addition to some medical instruments. There is a medical waste peddle bin next to the desk. For the most part, this location is devoid of vandalism and “staging” of objects.

Adjacent to the desk is an examination bed for patients. Here initial consultations would take place. There is an old blood pressure scale next to the bed. Above the bed is a small but detailed oil painting; for the patients to focus on during examination.

In addition to this, there is a small dispensary/pharmacy in a side room leading off from the office. Here medicines and concoctions would be prepared for the patients. There are numerous vials and bottles of chemicals and potions.

Sky-Blue Clinic was a wonderful yet simple explore. A welcome shaded break from the hot afternoon sun.

We visited this clinic in 2019, as part of our Japan Haikyo Tour 2019.