Forgotten and abandoned piece of Russia in Japan

Writer and traveller Michael grist a few years ago, visited the "Russian village" of Niigata in Japan. This theme Park is six hours drive from Tokyo was opened in 1993, but turned out to be completely unprofitable within 10 years was completely abandoned. There's just no one went.

Michael grist have visited this place twice: in 2008 and 2012, and the Park at that time was already heavily damaged. In 2016, he has almost nothing left and the main buildings were demolished.

A theme Park of Niigata was opened in 1993 in the development of relations between Japan and Russia.

One of the buildings of the Park — Russian dolls and inscriptions in Russian and Japanese.

One of the domed roofs of the main Church.

Stone cherub, or rather, what was left of him.

Map of the Park "Russian village Niigata": many attractions, including restaurants, theatre, shops and even a Golf course.

A corridor in a local hotel affected by the fire.

The hotel lobby is black from the fire wall and the floor strewn with rubbish.

At the entrance to the Park.

The most valuable building Park — a copy of the Church of the Nativity in Suzdal, Russia, which dates back to the early XIII century and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Blue-Golden domes have become dilapidated after years of neglect.

One of the most unusual exhibitions of the Park was the exhibition containing a fake stuffed woolly mammoths.

Photograph of the construction of the Park.

A poster with a picture of a possible future Park or perhaps a new "Russian project". The photographer found him in an office building.

These Grand plans went awry. Despite the efforts and investments made in the project, he was unsuccessful. And this place is far from the only abandoned amusement Park in Japan. For example, this is so similar to the "Wild West" that is not myself.