Ushimado Green Farm Ruins: Abandoned Submerged Village That’s Eerily Dystopic

Ushimado Green Farm Ruins

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Ruins, or haikyo (廃墟) in Japanese, are popular subjects for photographers who enjoy seeking out abandoned spots to immortalise in photos. Located in Setouchi, a city in the south of Okayama Prefecture, Ushimado Green Farm Ruins is an eerie abandoned village that finds itself submerged in a pool of water. 

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Submerged village located in Okayama

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Image credit: @kururu.photos

A 40-minute drive from central Okayama City will bring you to the ruins of Ushimado Green Farm, where rusty houses and cars are partially submerged water.  

Image credit: @akkkkiy_1118

Image credit: @katu_katu12

Like a scene straight out of a dystopian movie, the ruins is eerily quiet, save for the population of wild birds that have claimed the abandoned area as their habitat. 

Image credit: @sirataki_ai

The sight of birds hanging around the bare, gaunt trees and unused phone lines just adds to the ghostly atmosphere. 

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Used to be a resort in the 1980s

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Image credit: @yu_momisaku

In spite of its dilapidated appearance today, the area actually used to be a resort in the 1980s, boasting facilities such as a tennis court, pool, and even a driving range. 

Situated on reclaimed land that’s surrounded by salt farms, Ushimado Green Farm Ruins was equipped with drainage systems to remove accumulated rainwater.

Image credit: @satoshio69

However, with the facility’s closure and a lack of maintenance, the drainage system naturally stopped working. Over time, rainwater accumulated little by little, eventually submerging the buildings.

While the ruins make for an interesting photography subject, the amount of wild birds and insects inhabiting the area poses a huge problem for locals residing in the vicinity. 

Image credit: @satoshio69

The problem was brought up to the council in Setouchi City in the past. Unfortunately, as the land is privately owned, their hands are tied. 

Image credit: @katu_katu12

If you’re a budding urban explorer who’s keen to visit Ushimado Green Farm Ruins, maintain a safe distance and avoid getting into the water as it is way deeper than it looks. 

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Getting there

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Image credit: @kotanin1020

Ushimado Green Farm Ruins is best accessible by car, though going by public transportation is a viable option too. From Okayama Station, take the local train on the Ako Line to Saidaiji Station. 

Image credit: @obt.42

After that, hop on the bus bound for Ushimado, and alight at Kashino-naka bus station. The submerged village is just an 11-minute walk away. 

Address: 830 Ushimadocho Kashino, Setouchi, 701-4303 Okayama

Also check out:

• Nightmare-inducing teddy bears at Nasu Teddy Bear Museum
• Okunoshima, Japan’s rabbit island
• Friendly cat and human stand-off at Onomichi City Museum of Art
• Best onigiri shop in Tokyo
• Guide to Jimbocho, Tokyo’s literary haven

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Cover image adapted from (from left to right): @kururu.photos, @yu_momisaku and @sirataki_ai