Exploring an Abandoned Village Through the Eyes of a Videographer
Villagers abandoned the village because of the construction of a nearby dam, a project which later got scrapped.
Video Editor: Vishal Kumar
Explorer and videographer Kei Oumawatari explored a Japanese village which has been abandoned for over 20 years.
The reason? A dam was due to be constructed nearby in 1966. The villagers, despite opposing the plan, eventually abandoned the village. However, the construction project was scrapped.
Nagatani village was home to 70 residents.
Oumawatari discovered that houses, shrines and temples had been knocked down by overgrown trees which took root in the remains.
He said: “There were some people who were against the plan and decided to remain in the village. However, one by one they left more than 20 years ago and the village became abandoned.”
“I met the last person who left – who is now 86-years-old – and he said he never thought he would live outside of the village.
“He also said there used to be many fish when he was little but after the people left, the fish left.”
(With inputs from AP)
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