KONNICHIWA everyone!
Welcome to the far east and one of my favourite countries to explore. Therefore, don't wonder why you'll find a lot of stories only written for you about this beautiful country. In case you are planing a trip to Nippon, get ideas, helpful tips & tricks and more right here. From busy Tokyo, to traditional Kyoto, tropical Shimoda or icy cold Hokkaido.
No matter where, it'll be worth it, I swear.
A nice beginning could be
TRAVEL VIDEOS
EXPLORE MORE
Take your time & check out one of the places
that I have explored, things to do or to eat,
packing guide and more.
Let's get straight to the
BASICS
Where to go & What to do in
JAPAN
URBAN EXPLORING
what it is, how to do it & packing list
That thing called...
THE UNKNOWN
Did you ever stumbled upon the meaning Urban Exploring, Bandos, Urbex Explorer?
You like the unknown, history, old movies such as Indiana Jones or games like Tomb Raider? It may be, that you are a true explorer deep inside and only has to be awakened. In the following you'll get to know about Urban Exploring, what it exactly means, where you can do it and what it takes to search for the long forgotten places.
How it began:
From my point of view I always enjoyed it to explore the unknown, but I was and still am specially attached to old buildings, objects, vehicles, basically everything that is having
a history which is shared by generations. Generations such as families that have lived in a certain area and their homes have maybe changed within time, but already have been theirs for centuries.
Every single time I imagined while visiting castles, be it abandoned or not, how it must have been to live there, how the people have been, what happened to them and if there are still memories left in the meaning of old diaries, written by the head of the family to keep everything in order, or his daughter, who died because of a broken heart, and those thoughts kept in her very special book.
It is about our past and how it changed until this very day, what we learned out of it and what kind of mistakes are still occurring.
We should be proud of our past and the way it shaped us.
I cannot stop thinking about it how the village, where I grew up, has been only 100 years ago. My grandmother told me stories and showed me plenty of photos. Sure, they are black and white but you get the picture when looking at those places today and hold the photo right in front of it.
Sometimes, it is sad how much has changed and how less we were able to keep the way it looked like. But since time is always flowing, we cannot really do anything, except to remember and to keep those memories close.
SOME YEARS BACK
There has been some people on YouTube that began taking photos, videos and showing them to the rest of the world. A kind of new era was born of explorers that try to find the long forgotten before others. One of the first has been Exploring With Josh and his friends Exploring With Cody, Steve Ronin and John Yurei.
For quite some time they have travelled the world together, sometimes meet in distant countries to team up, until they say goodbye for a while, only to meet by surprise once again in, yet, another far away land. True friendship is above boundaries of the common world. But there are many more very talented Explorers like ImRobzy, JustTheLetterK, Exploring with Fighters, Abandoned Explorer, MeloCat, The Proper People and many more can be found on YouTube.
In case you like to know what I do, it's easy. All kinds of exploring and travelling is welcome. But Urban Exploring will be always one of my favourites. Here you'll find me and the channel of a good friend of mine over here. Just in case you have been curious of what I like to do and what countries I already travelled to.
LIKE IN SILENT HILL - EXPLORED MASSIVE ABANDONED BUILDING W/ FRIENDS
Some answers of your...
QUESTIONS
WHAT EXACTLY IS URBAN EXPLORING?
Urban Exploring basically means to explore abandoned buildings such as houses, mansions, castles, Hotels and more, mines, ships, trains, car cemeteries, cemeteries in general, underground tunnels, factories, amusement parks, temples, ruins, and everything that deserves the adjective abandoned, decay, lost or forgotten.
WHERE ARE THE "BANDOS" ?
They can be everywhere. Some are known, others are unknown. Sometimes they are directly in a village, town or even city. An old factory, closed centuries or just a while ago, a hospital or mental asylum that should have been closed for only a short time, now slowly decaying, because there is no one that wants to buy and make it great again.
Sometimes they are harder to find, because only locals know about it. They can be in the middle of a forest, jungle, in a swamp, open fields like a Tank Cemetery that I explored a while ago, in a backyard, on top of a mountain, the beach, literally everywhere in the most unexpected areas. Often I stumbled upon an abandoned building by just taking a walk while being on holidays.
No kidding, it happens when you not expect it!
HOW TO DO IT?
Get out of your comfort zone. Put on some shoes, a jumper, comfy trousers with some pockets, a backpack, phone, flash light and a friend. In the following you will find a small list of what to take with you and why on your Urban Exploring.
Maybe you want to check the area where you are right now in Google Maps to figure out whether to see something from above or just explore the environment where in the past should have been buildings, because history books with maps tell the truth of what must have been there which is now long forgotten.
But there is always a risk. Not only physically, or mentally, specially explorations during the night are creating often feelings such as fear or being followed, adrenaline rushes in and out of the veins, you can get lost, the exploration has be done illegally and/or without permission, it is very possible to get arrested and punished with a high fee. Depending on the country that you live in or want to explore you always should check on the penalties, because it may be that it's allowed to shoot every trespasser or to go to jail for several years.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
Don't be rude and destroy the Abandoned Building that you visit. Pay respect to the history and following Explorers want to have the same experience as you. Keep everything intact, don't steal and take care of you and your friends that join you on the journey.
No risk...
NO FUN
SAFETY FIRST AND WHY
Well, always stay save no matter what you are about to do. But sometimes you have to risk a bit to get to the most abandoned places on this planet. Of course, don't try to get into AREA 51, because the soldiers who work there have permission to shoot without a warning. Choose the area of exploration wise, otherwise you may get in trouble.
Why are so many people interested in trespassing areas that they are not allowed to, only to go on an adventure?
Because you always have to risk something that is worth fighting for, maybe not your life, but sweat and calories. Back then, in the good old times of our planet still being a plate, and not all the continents and islands have been explored and invaded yet, people, specially explorers and world changing minds hopped on a ship and wanted to see the world with their own eyes and be the first that found a new land to live in.
Yes, the intentions probably have been a bit different, but in general the freedom and the deep desire to explore the unknown, to find and tell the truth, seek for the true treasures that are not necessarily made out of gold, but wisdom and stories that turned to legends are deep connected with our memories are more worth than anything that is shiny and bright. It is about seeing things with your own eyes, feeling and smelling the surroundings and imagine how it must have looked like, back in the day when it was still run by people.
Some are searching for a kick, that bit of adrenaline to feel alive. Others want to show these buildings and abandoned locations to the rest of the world and tell about their own little adventure and how they felt during the time of exploring. It is to keep those places alive and maybe through showcasing it on YouTube, Vimeo or other platforms, find a new buyer that wants to renovate whatever it is. It already happened.
There is nothing wrong with someone having a vision. It is what keeps us alive, the dreams and hopes of yourself and others to make the world a better, or worse place to live in. It is not about trespassing and violating laws, it is more about not to forget of what once existed. Every single true Urban Explorer knows about the risks and what it takes to be on a hunt for a new unknown lost place. And every one of those Treasure Hunters have another opinion of why they do it. There is no real right or wrong. It's about having fun and feeling good at pursuing of what you like to do the most. And yet, sometimes out of a hobby turns a full time exploration around the world, supported by companies that pay for equipment, travels, accommodation and much more.
Get the grip on...
PACKING LIST
Here we are, your first urban exploring and you are not sure whether you are prepared well enough or not. There are some essentials every explorer should have in the backpack or pockets that are close to your body in case of an emergency.
I prepared a full list of what to take with you on your next journey. Travelling back in time can be cursed when not packed properly and you don't want to get lost, right?
COMFORTABLE & RESISTANT SHOES
That means no high heels or flip-flops. Converse are fine though, sport shoes in general, boots, hiking or walking shoes. Everything with a flat sole that has a good grid to the ground is welcome. You don't want to hurt your angles or anything else that is foot related, because you need them to walk.
FLASH LIGHT
There are many, but I always take two with me. One is running by a battery and the other by a small engine that I have to turn on by spinning a small handle. Those are really convenient, because they last forever and you never need to worry about being in the dark. Next to it you save lots of your smartphones power when you use a flash light and not the integrated one.
Anker LC40 Torch & Outdoor Dynamo Torch
TOOLS & TISSUES
Screwdriver, pocket knife, bottle opener (not only for opening bottles, but can be used for getting rid of nails in the wall or wood as well), tape - the good one and a pair of slim gardening gloves. They have some good grid and it is easier to climb without hurting your hands.
Tissues are for, well, cleaning your nose, for girls as toilet paper or in case you got some dirt on your hands, face, whatever, you get that stuff off your skin.
GPS & SMARTPHONE
Not only handy for playing Pokémon Go, but kinda good when you are lost in the woods or just want to know where to go and how to get to your next exploration.
Do you know the good old times of Geocaching? You need GPS to find nearby treasures. Maybe there is one hidden in the abandoned mansion or train you'll explore in a couple of days?
MAP
Of the location, in case your smartphone and or GPS does not work any more. Screenshots made ad home and printed out does the same trick of always knowing the area, at least on paper.
POWER BANK
Only to be on the safe side and always have the chance to charge your phone.
Specially helpful in very remote areas where barely any people live. One of the most important things in case of an accident to call for help as fast as possible.
SMALL FIRST AID KIT
Be it a splinter, a small bloody scratch, blisters or something bigger. You need to disinfect your wound and put a plaster on it so that it remains clean.
A very small one you get here.
JUMPER or HOODIE
Maybe both? Depending on the season you'll need a bit more than just a thin jumper and a cardigan. I would choose a hoodie, because usually it has some extra pockets and a bonnet to cover your head when it drizzles or to protect it from dirt. Most important, should be warm and comfortable.
COMFORTABLE TROUSERS
You need to crouch, stretch, bend, jump, crawl and more. Comfortable trousers are essential for not walking with a big hole in front of your butt cheeks to show off the best you got. Except you want to, but I don't think so.
Get one that has a lot of functional pockets. The more space you get the better.
LONG SOCKS
Beware of the ticks! Maybe long socks are not cool, but depending on where you go, it is important to not get bitten by any strange insect or reptile. Just something to prevent the worst case.
WATER & FOOD
Dehydration and not having enough food can be a decision about life or death. Take enough with you so that you have at least a good ration for a couple of days. Don't worry, your backpack does not need to be filled with food. But vitamin or protein bars, a mix of nuts, healthy and dry in pedicular can safe you over the days while being trapped.
There is a really nice water bottle that has a filter. With that you can fill the bottle with dirty water, but it comes out perfectly fine and ready to drink.
Maybe a bit pricey, but you can use it everywhere you are to make out of the worst the most drinkable water. One in a lifetime purchase and to stay healthy nothing is expensive.
MOSQUITO REPELLENT
They are legions, and they all want to suck your blood. Depending on where you are, they are more evil and annoying than others. The bite is effective, it itches, burns sometimes and all in all you want to cure it fast. Also, good for other bites, pain and itch releasing, just the best. I know what I talk about.
CAMERA & EXTRA MEMORY CARDS
In case you are an explorer and hobby or professional photographer or videographer, you need your gear. And for that gear you should buy a waterproofed case.
Sometimes you'll have to walk through water or very damp areas and don't want that your beloved equipment stops working. Other times the police is going to stop you and wants you to hand over the SD card that is in your camera. Just swap them before you leave the building and hide your precious SD card somewhere near you.
A FRIEND
It is alright to go on an exploration alone, but always better to take a friend with you. Specially you never know of what might happen. You could bump into a wild animal, a bunch of people, break an arm *knock on wood so that it never happens*, or just for fun. To create memories together and to be able to talk about it, even after 20 years, feels so much better than not sharing the same warm feeling while looking back.
Safety & Fun. Easy.
NO. 01 RULE - TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU GO
It is already saying everything. For your own good, you always, let me be precise, ALWAYS, tell someone where you go and when you will be back. In case of an emergency, and not being able to call for help, at least you have the chance of being rescued.
A GOOD SAMPLE - A TRUE STORY
Thank you, Kendall for being such a great narrator.
SHARING IS CARING
I hope you enjoyed reading the article and that it has been helpful. Don't forget to share this post on Pinterest or visit me on any other Social Media pages. Give me a shout, in case you need some more advice and leave a comment below to let me know!
I am always happy to help out.
Thank you so much and see you in the future,
Sina