Yes it is very much like you said kinda like harvesting a garden. I got a few different halogen lamps that way. Next time I visit Japan, I will try and get many different types of lamps. These hotels have been sitting in decay and disrepair since the 70s and 80s. I'm sure no one is gonna mind lighting enthusiasts saving lamps that are never going to be used. No one was bothering me when I explored. Some buildings do have alarms and those are best to avoid. It depends on which buildings you explore. Some are secured and some are free to explore. Just make sure to have a good flashlight and bottled water.

It just seems so much more… at peace, aligned with nature. Instead of causing destruction, they admire the beauty, and take a few keepsakes. As you said, a garden…! Wish it was more like this here…

Also, in regards to the Green Hills Spa resort, are the doors simply unlocked? No alarms? You just stroll right in, say hi to the ghost stationed at the reception desk, and continue on your way?? If anything, that’s the one I want to explore first, if or when I travel there.

Yes this one I went in the front door and it was unlocked with no destruction in the building. It was a huge contrast compared to the other ones I have explored. And best of all this one is secluded, meaning locals won't catch urban explorers. This was my favorite abandoned hotel that was in good condition and the other one, Kinugawa Kan, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlSMg60KCeY in Kinugawa was my favorite dilapidated hotel. If you explore Green Hill SPA, I recommend just taking lamps from the spare bulbs room in the basement instead of unscrewing the lamps in the fixtures. In dilapidated, vandalized buildings it is ok to take lamps from fixtures as I have seen many 4-ft t12 luminaires empty. There is another hotel in Lake Sagami, Sagamiko Japan. It has an alarm and I just recommend taking outside pictures instead of entering. Here is a good website from where I found the places: https://haikyo.info/

Note: You can translate to English and it tells you some information of the buildings and their location.

In the USA, exploring abandoned buildings often comes with a risk of being arrested for trespassing.

It's the same in the UK.! 

In the USA, exploring abandoned buildings often comes with a risk of being arrested for trespassing.

Depends on the cop you meet! I’ve met plenty of really kind, courteous cops whilst urbexing. They see I don’t have a gun, spray paint, or anything that may cause harm to someone else or the property. Typically they either a) let me stay or b) escort me out of the building. I’ve also had a fair share of really rude and arrogant police officers who threatened to arrest me and send me to prison. Only experienced this once, but I remained calm, talked in a level, even voice that I’m just here to document the decay, and that I am weaponless.

I usually visit more secluded places that are little known and less vandalized. Usually the “hotspots” are where gang, gun, and other violences take place, and the cops are on the scene in a matter of minutes. Most places I go to are either a) so far in decay or b) are so “off the grid” and irrelevant; meaning no suspicious activity, so the cops stay away. I always go with my buddies though; an N95 mask, respirator, gloves, flashlight with extra battery that has a pop-out knife in case; it’s secluded though and looking at it it just looks like a flashlight.

Just my .02.

Just be careful. Going onto property you don't own or have any other legitimate reason for entering is trespass, and the penalties vary by location. At the end of the day, no lamp or fixture is worth getting arrested for.

I agree with you, Ria. It’s a dangerous hobby, but it’s worth it in the long run. I don’t know what it is with my lightbulb and urbex obsession… I’ve been fond of them since I’ve taken my first steps… on road trips I’d always scope out abandoned places along the road, or observing streetlights and silently marking which ones work and which don’t. 

In the UK, trespass on most property is regarded as a civil matter rather than a criminal matter.
It is therefore unlikely that you would be arrested unless you failed to obey a police officer's demand to leave the site when requested.
However, it could quickly become a criminal matter if you were to force entry into the premises (as opposed to walking in a door or climbing through an open window), or to take anything without permission from the owner.

That depends on location, Andy. It's civil here, but may not be elsewhere in the world, and in the US every state can have different rules. All I'm saying take care.

Yes it will vary in different parts of the world which is why I wrote ‘in the UK’ at the start of my comment.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with rescuing stuff from somewhere that’s been abandoned and will only be smashed up and demolished but discretion and caution is always the best option.
Any ‘souvenirs’ from such places are probably best kept to oneself for what I would think are obvious reasons.