Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2009

Name: Nicchitsu Mine Hospital
Location: Nicchitsu Mine, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture.
Background: Though Nicchitsu Corporation is still going strong, the village that used to thrive around it hasn’t fared so well. One of the most famous spots in Japan for haikyo enthusiasts, the site includes uninhabited houses, a school and various factories, parts of which are still in use. However, it’s the local hospital which strikes the eeriest note, with its operation table that must have saved—and perhaps lost—the lives of many of the villagers.
Access: Approximately 46km by Route 210 from Chichibu station (Chichibu Rail).

Source: “Haikyo Deflation Spiral”, a leading haikyo exploration site featuring dozens of frequently updated galleries.