Echoes of Glory: Abandoned Stadiums With Haunting Histories

6. Sapporo’s Ski Jump Stadium, Japan

Built for the 1972 Winter Olympics, the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, Japan, is both a relic of Olympic history and a hauntingly beautiful site. Located on the slopes of Mount Okura, the stadium boasts panoramic views of Sapporo city and its surrounding snow-draped mountains. Though the facility still occasionally serves as a training site, much of it feels eerily deserted, especially during the off-season when vegetation begins to reclaim the space. The massive ski jump tower, once filled with roaring crowds, now stands as a silent testament to the athletes who soared through the air during its glory days. Visitors who venture to the observation deck can experience a striking contrast between the silence of the empty stadium and the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds it. Okurayama is a reminder of how sports venues can gracefully fade into the landscape, blending human achievement with the timelessness of nature.