If you’re a fan of video games or have a penchant for the darker side of history, Anata no Warehouse (Your Warehouse) is the arcade for you.

The interior is a faithful recreation of the Kowloon walled city, a 20th century slum in Hong Kong which was finally demolished in 1993. Although many lived a normal life within its confines, it was the only area the police were scared to tread and the city was controlled by triads, becoming a hotbed of crime, prostitution and general shady dealings...

All the grit of the original place (aside from the smells and rodents), has been transplanted to a game centre in Kawasaki, between Tokyo and Yokohama. The designer used photographs of Kowloon and even imported old trash from Hong Kong to make it as realistic as possible. You have to be over 18 to enter the arcade, probably just to keep the serious atmosphere.

The building itself is easy to spot among the sparklingly clean high-rises, due to the dilapidated appearance and mystery pipes jutting out above the door. As you approach automatic doors reveal a suspicious red glowing entrance. This first floor commits to theme fully and transports you to the seedy Kowloon City, with creepy sound effects and neon signs in Chinese characters.

Going up to the second floor you realise that the attention to detail is astounding, with the towering apartment blocks recreated with even clothes hanging up to dry out the windows. Although the spell is somewhat broken here with bright clean arcade machines and claw games, the designers have done what they can by rusting up the vending machines and money changers.

Cute plushes are somewhat jarring in this environment…

Regulars at Japanese Game Centres will note that the Warehouse is markedly quieter than the usual arcades, where any short exchange with your companions means shouting, to compete with incessant Euro-pop blaring dance machines. The dance and rhythm machines are available of course, just at a much lower volume.

The third floor is home to the more hardcore gambling games and the fourth floor has billiards, darts and table tennis. This top floor is home to a somewhat out of place European-style fountain, but this surreal theme-breaking prepares you for the surprise futuristic exit.

The sci-fi-esque exit is the perfect photo opportunity on the way out.

The arcade is free to enter if you want to just take in the atmosphere, but if you’ve made it all the way there you might as well give in to your gaming side. Retro games like Tetris and Street Fighter are only 50 yen a go.

The arcade is just a 5-10 minute walk from Kawasaki train station and even if you're not a gamer, it's worth a visit for the awesome aesthetics alone.

Address: 3-7 Nisshincho, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture 210-0024