A facility built on the hillside of Mt. Maya in Kobe City in 1945, the "Former Maya Kanko Hotel" is also called the "Queen of Ruins" by fans all over the country because of its beautiful appearance even after it is no longer used and has become desolate. Will be registered as a national registered tangible cultural property.

The "Former Maya Kanko Hotel" in Nada Ward, Kobe City is registered as a national registered tangible cultural property.



It was built as a corporate welfare facility in 1945 on the southern slope of Mt. Maya at an altitude of 702 meters.



Located near the cable car station, it is crowded with many people from a location that overlooks the city of Kobe, and after the war it was used as a tourist hotel with a wedding venue and restaurant, and as a training camp for students until 1993. I have come.



The reinforced concrete two-story building with two floors above ground and two floors below ground has an art deco-like design on the stage and Western-style rooms, with the eaves on each floor emphasizing the curved surface, and the history of Mt. Maya prospering as a resort area. It was highly evaluated for its ability to see and know.



After being damaged by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 and becoming desolate and ruined due to aging, it became a location for movies, and the owner and a local NPO collaborated to raise funds through crowdfunding. We have been making efforts for preservation such as introducing security equipment.



Because of its graceful and mysterious appearance, it was also called the "Queen of Ruins" by fans all over the country, and was introduced in books and on the Internet under the name "Mayakan", so many people were fascinated by it, and the local residents were attracted to it. The tour around the area is a popular event with some visitors from outside the prefecture.

"Mayakan" reminiscent of Machu Picchu Preservation and utilization

Regarding the "former Maya Kanko Hotel", since 2015, Kobe City's NPO "J-heritage", which promotes the recording and utilization of modern heritage with the owner, will work on the excavation and preservation of historic buildings. Kobe City's NPO "Hyogo Heritage Organization H2O Kobe" has been engaged in activities to preserve buildings and promote safe tourism.



Then, in 2017, we collected more than 7 million yen by crowdfunding, and based on the funds, we conducted surveys such as building surveys, crime prevention and measures against rain leaks.



In addition, the "Mayasan Revitalization Association" created by local residents has been held since 2017 with the permission of the owner. The Maya Ruins Guide Walk is being held and is gaining popularity with participants from outside the prefecture.



In response to this local excitement, it was featured on the tourist information site released by the Kobe Tourism Bureau, an affiliated organization of Kobe City, since July last year.



This "Overseas Travel in Kobe" site is required to refrain from going out unnecessarily due to the influence of the new corona, and the scenery that can be seen in Kobe city is seen in 12 countries and regions around the world, such as tourist destinations. It was planned to "let's feel overseas while staying in Kobe".



Among them, the "Old Maya Kanko Hotel" is called "The Queen of Ruins because of its beautiful decay in nature. You cannot enter the interior and you can see it by taking a tour. You can do it. The place where the ruins on the mountain are reminiscent of Machu Picchu in Peru. "

"Spatial value cannot be created by humans alone"

Mr. Nagaki Matsubara, a director of Kobe City's NPO "Hyogo Heritage Organization H2O Kobe" and a first-class architect, said, "It is attractive as a building with a design that is close to the cutting edge of the time. Humans alone cannot create spatial value that is integrated with the nature of Kobe. "



On top of that, he expressed a strong expectation, saying, "This time, the significance as a cultural property was recognized, and I think it will be an opportunity for more people to participate in conservation activities."

The "nationally registered tangible cultural property" system was triggered by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

The national "registered tangible cultural property" system, which preserves historically valuable buildings while using them, was established in 1995 with the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake as one of the triggers. It's been 25 years in a month.



Registration applies to buildings that are more than 50 years old, familiar to the region, well-characterized by the times, difficult to recreate, as well as paintings and crafts. ..



Once registered, you will need to notify the government if you are going to do construction work that will significantly change the appearance, but you do not need to report it if you are remodeling the interior to utilize the building.



And, part of the cost required for preservation and repair can be received from the government, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs explained that "it can be gently protected as a cultural property", so far 10,000 Nearly 3000 items are registered.



In Hyogo prefecture, "Hyogo Prefectural Government Hall" and "Kobe Port Tower" of Kobe City are registered.