Ashio: Japan's largest copper producer for over 100 years, a forced labor camp for allied POWs during WW2 and the source of Japans worst ever industrial pollution incident and now an UrbEx wonderland. Power stations, refineries, houses, shops, mines and more, an entire mining town abandoned to the elements and those keen enough to visit.

Ashio is probably most well known for its major environmental impact. By 1884, the once forested areas around the Ashio refinery had been biologically destroyed. Poisonous gasses from the refining processes had killed every living thing and the once tree-covered mountain areas were turned into an absolute wasteland.

As the ore finally ran out and mining operations ceased, the once prosperous town began its decline. By the early 70s Ashio was mostly abandoned.

The environmental legacy of the mine is still very obvious and today the area is referred to as Japan's "Grand Canyon" due to the eerie lack of vegetation on the surrounding hillsides.

My visit, August 2007: After an epic 4 hour journey from Tokyo to the middle of nowhere I stepped out into 40 degree C heat ready for the trek on foot up to Ashio. After only a few minutes of walking it became obvious I would have no problem trying to find something to explore, a whole town of abandoned apartment blocks became visible on a distant hillside.

My first stop was the old power station, at around 100 years old and abandoned for almost half a century the place is in incredible condition, there is even a fully stocked parts shelf.

The layer of dust was over 20mm thick in places; these beautiful old machines had not been disturbed for many years. I respectfully keep it that way.

This generator flywheel was probably sand cast then machined, which is an extremely labor intensive way of making things but the technology of the time.

This is a section of the power station control board; it would have been fun switching these on and off back in the day.

Interestingly, just about all of the power control gear was made in the USA by GE.

Lubrication distribution block for the generator drive.

This above photo is inside an abandoned apartment block, one of dozens that have barely been touched since they were vacated over 30 years ago. The decaying tatami mats and the plant life growing through the floor gave the place a sweet smell like the farm sheds I explored as a kid.

I was blown away when I found this, the abandoned town public bath (onsen). There were still signs and notices on the walls in the change rooms. There was evidence of squatters in one of the rooms but the plant life growing through the bedding indicated they had moved on long ago.

If you're into industrial history or exploration of abandoned infrastructure I'd be surprised if this sight did not get you excited. Looking into the abandoned refinery from the disused train line.

Unfortunately I did not get to explore inside either of the two main abandoned copper refineries. There was too much to explore and just not enough time. By the time I worked out how to get into the oldest complex it was late and I was running the risk of missing the last train. Spending the night at the train station in a very remote part of Japan was not an attractive position to be in.

Where else but in Japan can you find an abandoned store with the front door wide open and ever pain of glass intact.

Ashio became a forced labor camp for allied POWs during WW2. The picture above is of a wall in the main refinery still painted in camouflage pattern. The cladding was also originally painted in camo print but was replaced sometime after the war. The refinery was essential in the Japanese war machine and considerable efforts would have gone into concealing its whereabouts from allied spy planes.

For over a hundred years this train line ferried copper to the industry of Japan. Now it waits in silent contemplation of what the future might hold.

Just the other side of the train tunnel is where a landslide sealed the fate of the train line for good. No attempt was ever made to clear the track.

I would like to make one final note about Ashio; although the town is abandoned the surrounding area is very much inhabited and the people who call this place home are wary of ignorant foreigners. So if you ever do have the good fortune to see this place, please show respect.

Big thanks to Kuroneko.

If you want to read more there is a very extensive article on the environmental and economic impact of the Ashio Copper Mine HERE.

If you want to read an interesting story on how one American Submariner ended up in Ashio as a POW then check THIS out.

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