Snapshots - The Journey to The Death Bowl
By Greg Illingworth
20 Jul 2016
of 18
Words and photos by Greg Illingworth
The mystery surrounding the Japan Death Bowl kept me interested for 3 years before we finally made the mission to find it and ride it. In a world where information on almost anything is so easily accessible it's not often you fall short, yet the more I researched the more questions I was left asking. Even now, having been there and ridden it, I still can't quite get me head around why it was built... Or more pertinently, why was it built like that.
Here's a brief run down that might answer you few questions you might have, none of these are facts and varied depending on who we asked:
• It was built in the 70's.
• It was primarily built for roller skating.
• It was shut down and condemned by the government, apparently for being too dangerous.
• It remains over zealously guarded to this day.
• No one could confirm that some one died in the bowl.
I could certainly imagine a lot of people getting hurt riding or skating this, particularly any novice. It is a shame that they haven't taken a few small steps to make it safer and usable. Aesthetically it is an incredible spot, practically it falls short of a usable public park. For the purpose of adventure it is ideal and this trip produced some of my greatest memories.
Here are some of those captured on a humble disposable camera. I apologise if the quality is not great but I feel the moments whole heartedly whenever I look at these. -
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