Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2010

Name: Camp Drake
Location: Asaka City, Saitama
Background: This haikyo spot is one of many former American bases around Tokyo. Originally a golf club, it became the site of an army uniform factory during World War II, and was subsequently used as a training camp by the US army. After being returned to Japan in the ’60s, its buildings were redeveloped as a library, school and SDF training camp. Japanese rock band Alfee played an outdoor show there in 1989, and a summer matsuri was held in 1995. Today, there are a few buildings scattered around the otherwise vacant field, buried deep in ivy like ruins in a rainforest.
Access: Take the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro to Asaka (about 20min) and walk towards the Central Community Center.

Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral” (http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral), a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.