Japan’s Epic ‘Walled City’ Arcade Closes Down
By Ryan General
Last Sunday marked the end of an era for
Run by the GEO Corporation, the five-story amusement facility in Kawasaki was designed to specifically resemble the back alley of Hong Kong’s Kowloon Walled City, reports Tofugu.
Its builders made the remarkable effort of recreating the facade of the walled city’s aged and fantastical vibe, effectively hiding the modern video game arcade it housed.
Anata No Warehouse’s rusty, seedy exterior complements its interior walls which are peppered with fake filth and an assortment of props mimicking the now-demolished city. The hallways and bathrooms are equally stained on purpose.
Aside from studying old images of Kowloon, the designers allegedly had garbage shipped from Hong Kong so they could create a convincing, dingy atmosphere, reports Atlas Obscura.
Those who enter the arcade rooms for the first time may feel as if they’ve just passed through a portal into another world.
Some of the rooms have been described as “straight-up sci-fi-fantasy,” featuring a mist-covered pool, a red-lit tunnel and other cool techno-futuristic décor.
The Anata No Warehouse, which opened in December 2005, officially stopped operations on November 17, 2019, due to “various circumstances,” based on a notice posted outside the arcade.
The management also thanked customers for their “continued patronage and offered its sincere gratitude,” according to Kotaku.
When news of its impending closure emerged on social media last month, arcade fans expressed their disappointment and sadness. Others said they wished they could visit before that fateful day.
Feature Image via fm_iiikity37
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