
Metal doors, steel tunnels, neon lights, rust everywhere—the end of the world never looked so cool.
Even if you’ve never heard of Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong, you’ve seen its influence. Ghost in the Shell, Bladerunner, Shenmue, and so many more movies and video games got their aesthetic inspiration from this now-demolished city.
Not many pictures exist of Kowloon Walled City before its demolition in 1993, but here you can see the outside of the walled city, and a rare glimpse of sunlight from within it.

And if you ever wanted to visit the city that inspired sci-fi for decades to come, you don’t need a time machine anymore: in Japan’s Kawasaki City, the Kawasaki Warehouse arcade is designed after Kowloon Walled City, bringing it back to life in all of its metallic dystopian glory.
We’ve seen pictures of the Kawasaki Warehouse arcade before, but YouTube channel beatdownboogie recently posted a video giving a tour of the arcade, so you can see all of the cyber-liciousness for yourself.
Watch the full video here, or scroll down for highlights.
▼ You know that when the outside of the building looks like this,
and no one under 18 is allowed in, you’re in for an awesome time.
▼ After going through the heavy front doors, you get a metal tunnel…
▼ …leading you to an ominous-looking octagon.
▼ Oh yes. My cyberpunk heart is swooning so hard right now.
▼ And of course you have to cross a pool of acid…
but wait, didn’t we say this was an arcade?
▼ Oh. My. God.
My cyberpunk heart has officially cyber-melted.
▼ The grunge. The posters plastered everywhere. The Chinese lights.
…do they offer monthly live-in plans?
▼ I feel like I should be searching for a martial arts master
while being chased by riot police with my hologram sidekick.
▼ Just steer clear of the bathrooms if possible.
Unless you’re looking for that super authentic experience.
If you’re in Japan and you’re a fan of the dystopian sci-fi aesthetic, then you owe it to yourself to visit Kawasaki Warehouse for the experience of a lifetime. Even if you’re not in Japan and you’re a fan, then you may want to start saving up those credits for a transport over there.
And if you want to see more videos of cool spots in Japan, check out beatdownboogie’s YouTube channel. Here’s a sample of their trip to Shinjuku’s Robot Restaurant, which is just as intensely sci-fi as the Kowloon City arcade, but in a much more colorful way.
Source/insert images: YouTube/beatdownboogie
Featured/top image: YouTube/beatdownboobie (Edited by RocketNews24)










Japan’s craziest, most terrifying video game arcade is going out of business【Photos】
One last visit to Japan’s craziest, scariest video game arcade: Warehouse Kawasaki【Photos】
Japanese video game arcade entrance takes visitors on an adventure from the front door【Video】
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Suspected Japanese ice cream cartel under investigation for price-fixing
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
Pokémon coming to Japan’s highway rest stops with exclusive merch and stamp rally this summer
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden