And now for something COMPLETELY different – an abandoned indoor ice rink!
After more than 700 explorations (not nearly all of them successful, unfortunately…) in the last 8.5 years it is getting increasingly difficult to find abandoned places that are completely new to me – which is neither unexpected nor problematic, because each location is different and most of them offer enough variations in detail to keep me heading out there. The true motivator though is finding yet another location that is unique… and after about a year of in parts amazing “more of the same” explorations I finally spent one and a half hours at a unique place – and not only did I find it myself without any help or advice, I also explored it solo!
Located in the countryside and out of sight of any major roads, getting to the abandoned Ice Arena required quite a bit of an uphill walk on a really bright and hot sunny day. For a while now I don’t like to explore solo anymore for a variety of reasons (mainly safety), but sometimes you gotta roll with the punches, use opportunities and take minor chances. Fortunately the Ice Arena turned out to be an easily accessible solid concrete and steel building in overall good condition, but definitely abandoned (no security, problematic fences or alarms…). After some outdoor shots, one featuring decals of a cartoon dog with a striking resemblance to Muttley, probably used without caring much about a license, I slipped through a side door just open wide enough for me to fit through. Inside the area was surprisingly well-lit, even the staircases to the upper floor didn’t require the use of a flashlight – indoor explorations, especially solo, still make me feel quite uncomfortable, especially upon entering, but this turned out to be a dream location in almost every aspect! Unfortunately there weren’t a lot of items / interior left behind, except for the dozen hockey helmets somebody threw to the center of the rink.
Was the Ice Arena the most spectacular location I’ve explored in the past year? Not even close! But it was the first abandoned indoor ice rink I’ve ever been to and therefore it will forever have a special place in my urbex heart – especially since it was an original find, especially since it was a solo exploration, and especially since it went extremely smoothly; and the photo set overall is one I am very pleased with – not just because it’s unlike any other I’ve taken, but because it’s just a good photo set… one I hope you enjoy as much as I do!
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Abandoned Kansai 
An interesting look at an ice arena! Most of us have seen them only when crowded and noisy. Great post.
Thanks a lot, Judy – unfortunately the article tanked badly. One of the least read posts ever… 😦
nice :D. reminds me one arena that was in cz, the most interesting thing about that one was that someone somehow got a wreck of trabant inside wich was laying at the ring floor next to the tribune hahaha. i never been there tho, i only saw it on pics, also the building is long gone now, oh well…
And that’s why you always explore the places you want to see as soon as possible – you never know if it will be there one week later…
yeah thats true, but problem with this one is i found out about it ages after it got demolished, hahaha
Darn, fortunately that happened to me only once as I picked up urbex as a hobby before it became a trendy thing to do in Japan. 🙂
The ice rink in the latest Terrace House doesn’t seem convenient to much, but this must be in the back of beyond!