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New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Urban explorer discovers ‘ghost town' full of empty, eerie hotels in Japan: ‘Like a time capsule'
An urban explorer has uncovered a hauntingly preserved resort town in Japan, where towering hotels sit crumbling along a riverside cliff. It's been untouched for over three decades, according to reports. Luke Bradburn, 28, stumbled upon the forgotten tourist destination of Kinugawa Onsen during a trip to Japan in early 2024. While his original goal was to document the Fukushima exclusion zone, Bradburn ventured beyond the area and found a 'ghost town.' 'I was scouting other nearby locations when I came across this entire district of abandoned hotels,' Bradburn told news agency SWNS. 'It was like walking into a ghost town.' Kinugawa Onsen was once a bustling resort town renowned for its natural hot springs. It began to decline in the early 1990s during Japan's economic downturn. As tourism dried up, many hotels shuttered. 10 The forgotten tourist hotspot of Kinugawa Onsen in Japan was visited by YouTuber Luke Bradburn in 2024. Luke Bradburn / SWNS 10 Luke Bradburn overlooks Kinugawa Onsen in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi, Japan. Luke Bradburn / SWNS But due to the country's strict property laws, the buildings were never demolished. Many remain in legal limbo after owners either died without heirs or disappeared altogether, according to SWNS. 'It's very different in Japan,' Bradburn said. 'The crime rate is so low that abandoned buildings don't get looted or destroyed as quickly.' He added, 'In some cases, they need the owner's permission to demolish, and if the owner died, they legally can't for 30 years.' 10 Ceiling tiles begin to fall down inside a hallway in one of the buildings. Luke Bradburn / SWNS 10 An indoor spa left abandoned in the city. Luke Bradburn / SWNS What remains today appears to be an eerie scene, with an entire street of massive, multi-story hotels slowly rotting away. Bradburn, who is from Greater Manchester and is now a full-time explorer, spent six hours navigating overgrown paths, broken staircases and precarious drop-offs around five or six of the roughly 20 structures, said SWNS. He would often move between buildings through interconnecting corridors. 'From the outside, it's all overgrown and decaying,' he said. 'But inside, some of the rooms were pristine – like no one had touched them in decades.' 10 An indoor pool with a view of the mountainside. Luke Bradburn / SWNS 10 Luke Bradburn sits on a chair inside a hotel in Kinugawa Onsen during his visit to the forgotten city in 2024. Luke Bradburn / SWNS Bradburn found himself in hotel lobbies filled with forgotten remnants of the past – traditional Japanese onsen baths, untouched rooms, even drinks still sitting on tables, the same source reported. 'One of the strangest things was walking into a lobby and seeing a massive taxidermy deer and falcon still standing there,' he recalled. 'It was bizarre. I'd seen pictures of it online before, and then suddenly we were face to face with it.' Some spaces felt like time capsules, he said. 'We found arcade machines still filled with toys, tables set with drinks and rooms that looked like they hadn't been touched in decades,' Bradburn said. 10 An overlook with great views of the abandoned city and its hotels in central Japan. Luke Bradburn / SWNS 10 Books. phones and chairs are left untouched where they were placed over 30 years before in the city. Luke Bradburn / SWNS 'It was surreal.' He said much of the area was extremely dangerous to navigate. 'There were floors missing, staircases hanging down, parts where you had to backtrack because everything had collapsed,' he said. 10 A dining area with place settings untouched on a counter. Luke Bradburn / SWNS 10 Bradburn said much of the area was extremely dangerous to navigate. Luke Bradburn / SWNS 'It was really unsafe in some areas. You had to be so careful.' Bradburn said the entire experience, overall, was emotional and disorienting. 'Each [building] felt like stepping into a time capsule,' he said. 'You get a sense of what life must've been like here at its peak – and then it just stopped,' he said. 'It's eerie, sad and fascinating all at once.' Kinugawa Onsen still draws some curious visitors, said SWNS, but the ghost town of abandoned hotels stands as a quiet and mysterious relic of Japan's tourism boom and bust. Much of it remains hidden in plain sight, as Bradburn's experience indicated – still waiting to be further discovered.
The Irish Sun
23-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Chilling city of abandoned hotels left to rot for 30 years in forgotten tourist hotspot with drinks still left on tables
A GHOST city full of eerie, abandoned hotels has stood untouched in Japan for more than 30 years. A Brit explorer has documented his haunting visit to the once bustling tourist hotspot. 11 A Brit explorer discovered an eerie abandoned city of hotels Credit: SWNS 11 Arcade machines, taxidermy animals and even half-finished drinks littered the old hotels Credit: SWNS 11 He found dozens of massive hotels slowly decaying Credit: SWNS 11 Luke Bradburn explored the forgotten tourist hotspot Credit: SWNS 11 The area was famed for its natural hot springs Credit: SWNS Luke Bradburn stumbled upon the district of Kinugawa Onsen while exploring the Famed for its natural hot springs, this area would once have been buzzing with tourists and holidaymakers. But Bradburn's exploration found the town in a much sorrier state. Vast hotel buildings loomed over a read more in world news The abandoned ghost town is full of spooky reminders of its past glory, with arcade machines, taxidermy animals and even half-finished drinks littered the old hotels. Bradburn spent six hours exploring Kinugawa Onsen, making his way through a handful of around 20 buildings. The 28-year-old from Bury said: "It was like walking into a ghost town. "There were abandoned cars on the streets and while you could drive through the area, every building around you was just left to rot. Most read in The US Sun "When we stepped inside, the contrast was mad. "From the outside, it's all overgrown and decaying, but inside some of the rooms were pristine - like no one had touched them in decades." TSA Urges Travelers: Avoid These Cyber Security Risks at Airports The town met its decline during an economic downturn Japan faced in the 1990s. But while the hotels ended up closing, the country's property laws mean many of the buildings were never demolished. "It's very different in Japan ," Bradburn said. "The crime rate is so low that abandoned buildings don't get looted or destroyed as quickly. "In some cases, they need the owner's permission to demolish and if the owner died, they legally can't for 30 years." He managed to explore around five or six of the eerie hotels through interconnected corridors and hallways. 11 The city of hotels has been untouched for 30 years Credit: SWNS 11 The town met its decline during an economic downturn Japan faced in the 1990s Credit: SWNS 11 The country's property laws mean many of the buildings were never demolished Credit: SWNS Bradburn made his way through abandoned lobbies, and found traditional Japanese onsen baths. Some rooms were so well preserved it was almost like the guests had only just departed. But others were falling apart more visibly, with missing floors and staircases hanging down. "Each one felt like stepping into a time capsule," he added. "You get a sense of what life must've been like here at its peak and then it just stopped. "It's eerie, sad and fascinating all at once." 11 He explored the abandoned hotels in Japan Credit: SWNS 11 Some hotels even had arcade machines left behind Credit: SWNS 11 This area would once have been buzzing with tourists and holidaymakers Credit: SWNS
Scottish Sun
23-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Chilling city of abandoned hotels left to rot for 30 years in forgotten tourist hotspot with drinks still left on tables
Some rooms were so well preserved it was almost like the guests had only just departed SPIRITED AWAY Chilling city of abandoned hotels left to rot for 30 years in forgotten tourist hotspot with drinks still left on tables Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GHOST city full of eerie, abandoned hotels has stood untouched in Japan for more than 30 years. A Brit explorer has documented his haunting visit to the once bustling tourist hotspot. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 A Brit explorer discovered an eerie abandoned city of hotels Credit: SWNS 11 Arcade machines, taxidermy animals and even half-finished drinks littered the old hotels Credit: SWNS 11 He found dozens of massive hotels slowly decaying Credit: SWNS 11 Luke Bradburn explored the forgotten tourist hotspot Credit: SWNS 11 The area was famed for its natural hot springs Credit: SWNS Luke Bradburn stumbled upon the district of Kinugawa Onsen while exploring the Fukushima exclusion zone in early 2024. Famed for its natural hot springs, this area would once have been buzzing with tourists and holidaymakers. But Bradburn's exploration found the town in a much sorrier state. Vast hotel buildings loomed over a cliffside river in a condition of disrepair and decay. The abandoned ghost town is full of spooky reminders of its past glory, with arcade machines, taxidermy animals and even half-finished drinks littered the old hotels. Bradburn spent six hours exploring Kinugawa Onsen, making his way through a handful of around 20 buildings. The 28-year-old from Bury said: "It was like walking into a ghost town. "There were abandoned cars on the streets and while you could drive through the area, every building around you was just left to rot. "When we stepped inside, the contrast was mad. "From the outside, it's all overgrown and decaying, but inside some of the rooms were pristine - like no one had touched them in decades." TSA Urges Travelers: Avoid These Cyber Security Risks at Airports The town met its decline during an economic downturn Japan faced in the 1990s. But while the hotels ended up closing, the country's property laws mean many of the buildings were never demolished. "It's very different in Japan," Bradburn said. "The crime rate is so low that abandoned buildings don't get looted or destroyed as quickly. "In some cases, they need the owner's permission to demolish and if the owner died, they legally can't for 30 years." He managed to explore around five or six of the eerie hotels through interconnected corridors and hallways. 11 The city of hotels has been untouched for 30 years Credit: SWNS 11 The town met its decline during an economic downturn Japan faced in the 1990s Credit: SWNS 11 The country's property laws mean many of the buildings were never demolished Credit: SWNS Bradburn made his way through abandoned lobbies, and found traditional Japanese onsen baths. Some rooms were so well preserved it was almost like the guests had only just departed. But others were falling apart more visibly, with missing floors and staircases hanging down. "Each one felt like stepping into a time capsule," he added. "You get a sense of what life must've been like here at its peak and then it just stopped. "It's eerie, sad and fascinating all at once." 11 He explored the abandoned hotels in Japan Credit: SWNS 11 Some hotels even had arcade machines left behind Credit: SWNS
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Young Texas camp survivor describes harrowing moment she prepared for worst during deadly flood
A young camper who was rescued from Camp Mystic described the harrowing ordeal as catastrophic floods pummeled Central Texas. 'We went to bed thinking it was just a normal thunderstorm. One minute you see lightning strike next to your cabin, and next to you, you hear water's coming up,' 16-year-old Callie McAlary described on 'Fox Report.' 'And you have kids running just trying to get to other cabins, trying to get to safety. And luckily, my cabin was one of the few cabins that did not get water, but the cabins in front of us did get some water,' McAlary continued. McAlary's mother, Tara Bradburn, also reflected on the tragic flooding, saying that despite living in Virginia now, the camp had been a huge part of their lives as McAlary had been attending the camp since she was in second grade. 'We chose this camp. I was a Texan. It was important to me that my child have Texas roots,' Bradburn shared. 5 Callie McAlary was rescued from Camp Mystic. Fox News 'Living in Virginia, we brought her to Camp Mystic and turned her over to the Dick and Tweedy Eastland family and Camp Mystics and their staff because we knew they would love on our child. They would help her grow in her faith and live the Mystic ideals of being a better person and bringing out the best in her,' Bradburn continued. 'We are so devastated by what has happened, but truly grateful and thankful to the Eastland family for all they have done and all they've given as a family to save the children that they could.' Bradburn weighed in on how devastating that evening was for her daughter and how fast everything turned into a nightmare. 'Even up on Senior Hill, I think that conveys to you how fast the water came up and how high it came and how it was a 100-year historic flash flood. We had never seen anything like this. And I cannot say enough about what these young counselors did to calm these girls and to ensure their safety,' Bradburn said. 5 McAlary (back left) described the harrowing ordeal as catastrophic floods pummeled Central Texas. Tara Bradburn McAlary continued to describe the night and the moment she realized something was terribly wrong. 'We heard one second, it was really bad thunder. I woke up to a big giant sound of thunder and lightning striking,' McAlary recalled. 'We heard one of the campers run in and say, 'hey, our cabin is flooding.'I knew some girls slept on trunks that night, some girls had to share beds, some girls slept on floors because they couldn't go back to their cabin because it was so flooded in three cabins.' 5 Officials search on the grounds of Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Hunt, Texas. AP In an effort to protect herself and prepare for the worst-case scenario, McAlary put a name tag on her body in the middle of the night. 'I put on my name tag because I was scared that if water was coming out next to other cabins that our cabin might be next. And I just put it on just for safekeeping… in my head I was saying, 'if something does happen, and I do get swept away, at least I'll have my name on my body,'' McAlary explained. Bradburn shared that both her and her husband had worked for the Department of Defense and each spent 'many times in war zones on behalf of this nation,' and spoken to McAlary 'more times than she could count' about staying safe in any environment. 'This was not an environment we had ever thought we would have to prepare her for. That comment to me as a parent when she got off that helicopter and finally came into my arms and I saw this name tag on her, and it was the camp name tag she was issued on the day she arrived. It resonated with me that somewhere those little lessons that we gave her as parents years ago and throughout her life resonated with her in that moment,' Bradburn said. 5 In an effort to protect herself and prepare for the worst-case scenario, McAlary put a name tag on her body in the middle of the night. Tara Bradburn 5 A search dog looks through a dumpster at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, on July 5, 2025. REUTERS Despite her daughter being alive and safe, Bradburn said they are devastated for so many families that are missing loved ones. 'There are no answers. This is a lot emotionally for anyone. And it's something as parents, we owe our child to try to be strong for her and to ensure that she also has the help she needs moving forward,' Bradburn said. McAlary said she is now holding on to hope that the rest of her friends and all those who are missing are found soon. 'I really hope those kids that are missing are found. I knew a lot of those kids and a lot of those kids the night before hugged me before we all went to bed. And it's hard to think about that one minute they were hugging me and the next minute they could be gone.'
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Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish golf round up: Glencruitten gets another Scottish Open winner
All the latest from tournaments involving Scottish golfers from Martin Dempster Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The golf season is now in full swing and here is our latest round up of grass-roots stories around Scotland. Glencruitten gets second Scottish Open winner Glencruitten's Martin Shields emulated Bob MacIntyre's Scottish Open feat by going from runner up one year in his equivalent to winner the next. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Shields landed his title triumph in the net section of the 2025 PING Scottish Open for Golfers with a Disability at Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire. In an event open to golfers with a handicap index up to 18.4, Shields claimed the prize in style by finishing six shots clear of his nearest rival. Glencruitten's Martin Shields poses with his trophy after winning the net section in the 2025 PING Scottish Open for Golfers with a Disability at Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire | Chris Young/Scottish Golf 'I am absolutely buzzing,' he declared. 'There's a nice wee narrative around Glencruitten golfers and Scottish Opens. Bob, of closure, came second in 2023 then won the following year, as I have now done this year after finishing second last year.' The main title went to Englishman Oliver Hirst-Greenham, who carded rounds of 72-77 to finish seven shots clear of Manchester-based Scot Barry Wearing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Having won his own national open in 2023, the man from Morecambe has now added the PING-sponsored Scottish title to his list of honours and hopes to continue his winning streak over the summer months. 'It's a great feeling and I've worked really hard for this and I wanted to win it,' said Morecambe man Hirst-Greenham of adding to a win his own national Open in 2023. Panmure's Dominic Bradburn pictured at The PGA Graduation Ceremony at the University of Birmingham | Contributed Exciting times for Panmure pro Dominic Bradburn Panmure's Dominic Bradburn will be teeing up in this year's PGA Professional Championship as a fully-qualified professional. The ever-improving Bradburn shared top spot with East Renfrewshire's Gavin Hay in the Scottish qualifier as the duo carded matching one-under-par 71s on the Lansdowne Course at The Blairgowrie Golf Club. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In Bradburn's case, the success came hot on the heels of him qualifying as PGA pro at this year's Graduation Ceremony at the University of Birmingham. Joining Bradburn and Hay in securing spots in the PGA Professional Championship, set to held at Ingrebourne Links in Essex next month, were Ross Munro (Golfclubs4cash), Ryan Johnston (Taymouth Castle Golf & Sport Club), Stuart Holden (Harburn) and Scott Young (North Berwick). Two golfers who were both in the Paul Lawrie Foundation squad as amateurs before then being backed as professionals when they were playing full-time have been supported once again by the 1999 Open champion through the North-East based organisation. Paul Lawrie flanked by fellow North-East professionals Kris Nicol, left, and Philip McLean | Contributed New Paul Lawrie Foundation backing for Kris Nicol and Philip McLean Kris Nicol and Philip McLean have received the latest backing to provide junior coaching in Fraserburgh and Peterhead respectively. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Kris and Philip are two dedicated teaching professionals both trying to grow the game within the North East,' said Lawrie. 'They were both in the foundation squad as amateurs and were supported as professionals while they played full time. 'They have both now decided to spend a bit more time coaching as well as still play a bit, and it was a really easy decision for us to support them both with some junior coaching in Fraserburgh and Peterhead.' Cathkin Braes member Sabrina Wong shows off The Foundations Trophy after her 18-shot success at The Blairgowrie Golf Club | Contributed In-form Sabrina Wong wins again Sabrina Wong, the Cathkin Braes member who recently won The R&A Girls' Under-16 Championship, has struck again. Hot on the heels of landing by far the biggest win of her career at Gog Magog in Cambridgeshire, Wong won by no less than 18 shots on this occasion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Her latest title triumph came in The Foundations Trophy, an event run by the Stephen Gallacher Foundation and sponsored by St Leonards School in St Andrews. Broomieknowe's Kai Laing won the boys' section in The Foundations Trophy event in Perthshire | Contributed Carding rounds of 73-76-69-68, Wong posted a six-under total, leaving second-placed Ava Paterson (Tulliallan) trailing in her wake. Royal Troon's Jodie Graham was third, followed by Craigielaw's Stella Walters. In a more closely-contested boys' event, Broomieknowe's Kai Laing shot rounds of 72-73-70-75 for two-over total, winning by three shots from Fraser Walters, Stella's older brother, with Baberton's Luca Smith four shots further back in third place. The winning team in the Bill McLaren Foundation Golf day are congratulated by Gordon Wilson of event sponsor Carbon Financial | Fraser Band Lions roar as Blairgowrie hosts Bill McLaren Foundation Golf Day Three British and Irish Lions graced the Bill McLaren Foundation Golf Day, a fund-raising event held at The Blairgowrie Golf Club and sponsored by Edinburgh-based Carbon Financial. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former Lions captain Gavin Hastings was joined by Kenny Milne and Andy Irvine, who featured on three tours and filled the role as tour manager for the select side in 2013 when they beat Australia over three Tests. The charity has raised more than £1.7 million through 55 events over the last 15 years, benefiting a wide range of sports at the grass-roots level. 'We are longstanding supporters of the Foundation which does fantastic work in memory of Bill McLaren, promoting grassroots sport and the values he believed in,' said Gordon Wilson, managing director of Carbon Financial. On a sun-kissed day on the Rosemount Course at the Perthshire venue, the spoils went to a team which included the legendary commentator's daughter Linda Lawson and her husband Alan, another Scotland international. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Members of the Midland and North Divisions of the Scottish Senior Women's Golf Association met for an annual match at Alyth | Contributed Busy spell for Midland members of Scottish Senior Women's GA Members of the Midland Division of the Scottish Senior Women's Golf Association have been in action in two recent annual matches. First up was an away encounter against the East Division at Murrayfield, where the visitors won 4-3 in a match-play competition involving players with handicaps ranging from five to ten. Two days later, a team made up of scratch to five handicappers took on the North Division but the score was reversed on this occasion as the visitors regained that particular trophy. 'Our players were treated to a beautiful sunny day and spectacular views at Murrayfield,' reported captain Morag Wardrop. 'At Alyth, meanwhile, all the players praised the excellent condition of the course and greens.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Next up for the Midland Division is a match against their West counterparts at Cawder on 28 May. Baberton's Nicky Graham, Karen Marshall, Ella Marshall and Wendy Nicholson show off the trophy after winning the Edinburgh Ladies Inter-Club Tournament at Mortonhall | Contributed Family affair as Baberton land Edinburgh title It was a family affair as Baberton won a keenly-contested Edinburgh Ladies Inter-Club Tournament at Mortonhall. In the event's first staging at the Capital course, Baberton beat Liberton 4&3 over the double foursome in the final to land the trophy for the first time since 2021. Karen Marshall and Nicky Graham joined forces to finish four up against Jill McLean and Mandy Bell after 17 holes while it ended all square at the back between Ella Marshall/Wendy Nicholson and Steph Sutherland/Susan Walker. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The title triumph added to the Marshalls being Baberton legends, with Karen being no stranger to success over the years but this marking a breakthrough for her niece Ella. In the semi-finals, Baberton, having knocked out the hosts in the last eight, beat Murrayfield 3&1 while Liberton finished 1 up against Broomieknowe. Irish duo Dylan O'Connor, left, and Martin O'Dwyer show off their respective trophies at Carnoustie | Contributed Irish pull off notable double triumph at Carnoustie Eighteen years after Padraig Harrington won The Open at Carnoustie, two other Irish golfers pulled off trophy triumphs at the Angus venue. Pride of place went to Tramore's Martin O'Dwyer as he claimed the prestigious Craws Nest Tassie with a 5&3 win in this year's final over Finland's Reece Furneaux. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A member of Helsinki Golf Club, had ended local hopes earlier in the day with a semi-final victory over Carnoustie Golf Club's Andy Fyfe. Dwyer emerged as a worthy winner after beating the top seed, Paul Tulleth of St Andrews Golf Cub, on the final green in the last 32.
