I have officially found Hanuda

So, I have told numerous people the Hikone is basically Hanuda. For the uninitiated, Hanuda is the gloriously horrible town of the survival horror game Forbidden Siren. I suspect that, when I return home, which is coming rather quickly, Siren will make me very "homesick" for Hikone.

Anyways, the Hikone History Park confirmed that Hikone is, indeed, Hanuda. Or perhaps something far more sinister and, therefore, better.

From what I could tell, the Hikone History Park was abandoned either mid-construction or during renovation. Although abandoned, it is in surprisingly good condition. As if, despite the fact that it hasn't been open for years, people are constantly attempting to fix it. Or add bizarre things like polar bear statues.

Continuing. The entire place is absolutely bizarre. It is populated by incredibly poorly done reproductions of famous Japanese and Western art (the Venus de Milo is a real treat...). However, the statues are lopsided, gargantuan, and terrifying. Moreover, vagrants have obviously inhabited the place (possibly currently)-- coca cola bottles, shoes, blankets, and old trucks are scattered here and there. However, they are scattered a little too perfectly. The whole thing seems very planned and very, very foreboding. And the strangest thing of all. Maybe it's the fault of earthquakes; maybe it's the fault of some lesser god. The entire place is crumbling.

Needless to say, one of my favorite places in Japan. You can't make this stuff up.