The Maya Hotel

 

The Maya Hotel was once beautiful, but now abandoned and in ruins. It was built in 1929 by the Maya Cablecar Company on the side of Mount Maya, during Japan's pre-World War II craze for Western Art Deco Architecture. The four story hotel offer beautiful views of the city and bay. During the second World War it was equipped with anti-aircraft guns and used to defend the city of Kobe. After the war, the city sold it to a private owner who repaired it and reopened in 1961 after a remodeling project which included adding a fifth floor.  Unfortunately, a typhoon and mudslide damaged the building, closing it in 1967. It was repaired again and opened as the Maya Student Center in 1974, but it never really took off. The Great Awaji Earthquake in 1995 closed the once extravagant hotel for good.  

Now the Maya Hotel is one of Japan's most famous haikyo (abandoned place). It has been used as a filming location for TV episodes, movies, and music videos. There is an unmarked trail leading from Nadamaruyama Park (ten minute walk from Hankyu Rokko station), but it is difficult to find. The Osaka real estate firm, Nihon Service currently owns the property. I read that the owner, a non-profit organization, and an architectureal group banded together to start the application process to have the property listed as a Tangible Cultural Property.

I don't think I would make a trip especially to visit this abandoned hotel, but if I were in the area already and could find the trail, maybe I would take a hike up to see it. If there was a tour or guided hiking trip, I would sign up.