A gigantic abandoned inn sinking into the bottom of a gorge, a mysterious religion-meets-leisure complex crowned by white pagodas, and rusted gondolas that look like giant "eyeballs" — the Tokai region (Aichi and Gifu), centered on Nagoya, is surprisingly one of the densest concentrations of haikyo (廃墟, ruins) in the country. Within an hour's drive of central Nagoya, properties frozen in time by the burst of the economic bubble still stand quietly. In this article we present 3 off-limits spots that genuinely still exist in 2026, focusing on real ruins rather than ticketed tourist attractions. From the Chitosero (千歳楼) of Jokoji to the eyeball ropeway of Enakyo, we selected them for their sheer impact and the weight of their history.
Our map catalogs more than 229,000 abandoned spots across over 200 countries, each with geographic coordinates. From among them, we hand-picked only the properties that are not touristified and that genuinely still exist in 2026. Each comes with its history, a video, and an "Add to my map" button, and the exact GPS coordinates are available for free, with no credit card required. This is an introductory guide to urban exploration in the Tokai region. If you want to dive deeper, check out our city-by-city articles too: Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo. For the nationwide version, see our guide to abandoned places in Japan.
Abandoned Places in Nagoya: Why Urbex Maps Changes the Way You Explore
Many sites that claim to be "free" end up selling you the exact addresses on a forum for a few thousand yen. We do the opposite. Just press the "Add to my map" button and the exact coordinates are saved to your personal space with no credit card required. Since 2021, a community of more than 40,000 explorers has verified each set of coordinates at least twice before publication. The 3 spots below are ranked by impact and historical importance, each with a detail page and a link to the map of abandoned places in Japan. Everything can be opened from the free abandoned-places map or from your own my map.
The 3 Abandoned Places of Nagoya and Tokai at a Glance
| 場所 | エリア | 種類 | 2026年のアクセス |
|---|---|---|---|
| 千歳楼 | 愛知県春日井市（定光寺） | 巨大廃旅館 | 禁止（監視あり・クローズ） |
| 古津楽苑（ホワイトスラム） | 岐阜県 | 宗教×レジャー複合施設 | 禁止（私有地） |
| 恵那峡ロープウェイ | 岐阜県中津川市 | 廃索道（ゴンドラ） | 禁止（廃止路線） |
1. Chitosero, Kasugai: The King of Abandoned Inns Sunk in the Jokoji Valley
Clinging to the gorge of the Tamano River (Shonai River) at Jokoji (定光寺), Nagoya's secluded backcountry, Chitosero (千歳楼) is one of the most famous ruins in the Tokai region. A long-established hot-spring inn that flourished from the Taisho into the Showa era, it is known for its maze-like, multi-level structure built into the slope of the valley. Business faltered after the bubble burst, and since it closed in the 2000s no visitors have come; the giant wood carvings in the lobby, the decayed banquet halls, and the crumbling connecting corridors now lie quietly beneath the moss. Rising overwhelmingly from the valley floor, this landmark is even called the "king of ruins," but it is private property and under surveillance, so it is wise to limit yourself to photographing the exterior. Find other ruins on the map of abandoned places in Japan.
2. Kotsu Rakuen, Gifu: The "White Slum" Crowned by White Pagodas
Nestled in the mountains of Gifu, Kotsu Rakuen (古津楽苑) is a strange composite ruin where a religious facility and a leisure facility merge into one, with pure-white pagodas (stupas) rising from the hillside as its symbol. From the uncanny sight of those white buildings scattered across the slope, explorers know it by the nickname "White Slum." Banquet halls, lodging wings, and religious monuments lie abandoned, and its blend of distinctive religious iconography with a ruined space of entertainment makes it a property with no equal in Japan. As private property, entry is forbidden — this is a place to be viewed strictly from the outside. Our nationwide guide to abandoned places features similar cases as well.
3. Enakyo Ropeway, Nakatsugawa: The Abandoned Cableway of "Eyeball" Gondolas
Overlooking Enakyo, the scenic dam lake, the Enakyo Ropeway (恵那峡ロープウェイ) is an abandoned sightseeing cableway. Its most striking feature is the distinctive circular gondolas left in the mountains — a row of rusted spherical capsules that look like giant "eyeballs" staring back at you, a sight that has become the stuff of legend among explorers. The cars, station buildings, and pylons that once carried holidaymakers are swallowed by vegetation, sealing in the very end of the Showa-era leisure boom. As an abandoned line, entry is forbidden, but its visual impact is unrivaled even among the ruins of Tokai. Try searching the Gifu area on the map of abandoned places in Japan.
Abandoned Places of Nagoya and Tokai: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to explore ruins around Nagoya?
The act of exploring is not in itself a crime, but almost all of the properties presented here have an owner (a private individual, a company, or a local authority). Entering the grounds without permission may constitute criminal trespass or unlawful entry. Chitosero, Kotsu Rakuen, and the Enakyo Ropeway are all off-limits properties with surveillance or barriers. Do not climb over fences or break anything, and leave promptly if you are warned. We recommend starting by viewing the exterior from the public road.
What is the most famous abandoned place around Nagoya?
The best known is surely Chitosero (千歳楼), rising from the gorge at Jokoji. That huge abandoned inn ascending from the valley floor is even called the "king of ruins" and is a symbol of the haikyo of the Tokai region. For sheer visual strangeness, Gifu's Kotsu Rakuen (the White Slum) and the eyeball gondolas of the Enakyo Ropeway also remain enduringly popular.
How do I get the GPS coordinates of these places?
Each spot above has a card with an "Add to my map" button. Click it and the exact GPS coordinates are saved to your personal space, "my map," for free, with no credit card required. Then just open everything on the free abandoned-places map and explore area by area across Aichi and Gifu.
Is exploring ruins dangerous?
Yes, there are real risks. Collapsing floors and ceilings, asbestos, broken glass, and — with slope-side properties like Chitosero — the danger of falling is especially high. Avoid going alone, bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes, tell someone where you are going, and always respect any closures or barricades. The steep slopes of Enakyo and the remains of the old abandoned cableway are not places to approach on a whim, either.
Explore the Map of Abandoned Places in Nagoya and Tokai
These 3 spots are only the tip of the iceberg. The map of abandoned places in Japan catalogs thousands of spots with geographic coordinates, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. Start with your own region, add your favorites to my map, and set out to explore — never forgetting respect for the place and your own safety. For cities other than Nagoya, head to our guide to abandoned places in Japan.