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Mansions abandoned by billionaire found still full of treasures worth millions

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Ornate furniture and marble sculptures inside abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
A British urban explorer, who has been investigating abandoned properties since he was a teenager, stumbled upon a maze of mansions while visiting Japan last year. Lukka Venuters, 28, was stunned to find three properties — nicknamed the Tiger Mansions — which belonged to a Japanese billionaire, still filled with valuables and looking like the lair of a James Bond villain. (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Lukka Venuters explores abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
Lukka became aware of the multi-million pound deserted villas through a friend back in 2019. While travelling through Atami, near Tokyo, with two other friends, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to check them out for himself. (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Ornate furniture and marble sculptures inside abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
After sneaking inside through a smashed window, Lukka discovered millions of pounds worth of furnishings and two vintage Rolls-Royces. He also came face-to-face with the namesake of the properties: a huge taxidermied tiger worth $66,000 (£50,000) standing fiercely atop a green marble table. Sounds creepy, right? (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Lukka Venuters explores abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
Lukka, who made the trip from Bury, Manchester, also marvelled at untouched marble statues, chandeliers, gold-rimmed furniture, and a floor-to-ceiling view of the Pacific Ocean. The best view of the sea came after a 200 metre walk down an overgrown path to the biggest three-storey property of the extravagant estate. He said: ‘The view was just incredible, it stretched as far as the eyes could see.’ (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Vintage Rolls Royce in the garage of abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
As for the Rolls-Royces, Lukka uncovered them on his way to the smallest property. Walking past a garage, the explorer decided to take a look inside. And he’s glad he did: ‘We opened it up and there we two cars under wrappers — when we lifted them up, they were both Rolls-Royces. It’s hard to believe that someone would just leave them there to rot almost.’ (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Lukka Venuters explores abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
Looking at the ‘unimaginable’ wealth on display, he surmised that this type of luxury property could only have belonged to ‘someone really rich or a drug dealer.’ ‘Each room had thousands of pounds of artefacts lying around, just abandoned like they were worthless,’ the explorer said. ‘In its day, I could see this mansion in a James Bond film with the villain lying in a bath on the top floor smoking a cigar overlooking the spectacular sea view. It definitely gave off that 007 villain mafia vibe.’ (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Lukka Venuters explores abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
Luke — whose online USP is to investigate abandoned buildings, which he shares on his YouTube channel, @‌lukkaVentures — said the whole experience was ‘unforgettable.’ He added: ‘The places I visit never cease to amaze me.’ (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Ornate furniture and marble sculptures inside abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
The owner of the properties, which were built between the 1960s and 1980s, was controversial real estate tycoon Genshiro Kawamoto, who died in February 2024. In 2018, he was slapped with a four-year prison sentence and a 240,000 yen (£1.2 million) fine for money crimes committed between 2009 and 2011. (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Lukka Venuters explores abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
Offences included concealing 3.543 billion yen (£19 million) in earnings and evading 1.06 billion yen (£5.6 million) in taxes. His incarceration is what led to the properties being abandoned. (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)
Lukka Venuters explores abandoned 'Tiger Mansion' in Atami, near Tokyo, Japan. Release date April 15 2025. An urban explorer has snuck into a Japanese billionaire's abandoned mansions - it's where you would find a James Bond villain living. Lukka Venuters, 28, has been exploring abandoned properties around the UK since he was a teenager. He first heard about the three acre plot housing three multi-million pound deserted mansions through a friend who visited in February 2019 and whilst on a trip to Japan he took a look for himself. When wandering around the biggest known as the 'Tiger Mansion' the part-time rover said he found left behind found items worth "millions" including a ?50,000 taxidermy tiger, hundreds of untouched marble statues, opulent gold-rimmed furniture, and two unscathed vintage Rolls Royce's in a garage.
Unlike other abandoned properties in Japan, like this city of hotels left frozen in time for 30 years, Lukka said the Tiger Mansions were ‘trashed.’ This is unusual for Japan, which often has a very respectful culture — and a bizarre experience for Lukka, who said other derelict houses he’s visited in the country were in ‘top condition’ and virtually untouched. Lukka wondered: ‘The Japanese culture is very respectful — maybe they were damaged in an act of revenge, who knows?’ (Picture: Lukka Venuters/SWNS)

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