Tokyo Olympic Village: A Ghost Town in Black and White

An unexpected photographic quest

In April 2020, over a year before the Tokyo Olympics would officially begin, the city felt strangely quiet. My school had temporarily closed due to the pandemic, leaving me with two months of unstructured time. While I didn’t venture out often, my goal was to find and photograph interesting places that were free from Tokyo’s usual crowds. That was a challenge in one of the world’s most populous cities.

One day, I saw a news report about the Tokyo Olympic Village, and a lightbulb went off. Construction had stalled, meaning very few people would be there. It was the perfect destination.

A familiar place, utterly transformed

I was already familiar with the area. The Olympic Village is right next to the Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal, a fantastic spot for capturing shots of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Bay. I had been there many times before construction began, but what I found on this trip was completely different.

I was immediately happy with what I saw. The site was eerily deserted, with the only people around being a few security guards. Most of the buildings stood unfinished. It felt like I had a massive, modern ghost town all to myself. The quiet atmosphere made it a much safer and more compelling place to photograph than almost anywhere else in the city at the time.

Impressions of an athlete's ghost town

The apartment buildings themselves were nearly complete on the outside, but the finishing touches were still missing. The grounds were just bare earth, waiting for lawns, trees, and plants to be installed. Peeking inside, the interiors seemed to be empty shells, devoid of furniture or fittings.

Architecturally, the buildings were immense, but I have to admit, the design felt bland. To me, they were big, blocky, and looked like standard concrete boxes. Looking at these photos years later, my opinion hasn’t changed. I don’t think I would enjoy living in one.

Conclusion: A moment frozen in time

These photographs capture a unique moment—a preview of a global stage before the athletes and the world arrived. Exploring the deserted Olympic Village was a surreal experience, offering a quiet glimpse into a place that would soon be full of life. My impression of the architecture remains, but the memory of having that vast, silent space to myself is what truly stays with me.

What did you think of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Village when you saw it on TV? Does my assessment seem fair? I’d love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions in the comments below.