Himitsu Station: Salt Lake City’s Immersive Japanese-Inspired Experience

Salt Lake City has a new underground attraction offering a unique blend of escape room and interactive video game elements. Himitsu Station, located at 110 W. Broadway, is the creation of husband-and-wife team Destiny and Jaysen Batchelor, and aims to transport visitors to a captivating, otherworldly environment inspired by Japan.

A Unique Immersive Experience

Unlike traditional escape rooms focused solely on escaping a space, Himitsu Station emphasizes interactive gameplay and point collection. “It’s more like an interactive, live video game,” explained co-owner Destiny Batchelor to KSLTV [1]. The experience is designed around a storyline where guests discover themselves in a spirit realm and must collect “soul coins” to find their way out.

Inspired by Japanese Culture

The concept for Himitsu Station stemmed from Jaysen Batchelor’s fascination with Akihabara Station in Japan, a real-world location featuring an underground marketplace. [4] He envisioned recreating the charm of its tiny shop stalls, each with its own unique atmosphere. The name “Himitsu” itself is Japanese for “secret,” hinting at the hidden nature of the attraction. [4]

Behind the Scenes: A Labor of Love

The Batchelors, with backgrounds in entertainment, real estate, and animation, largely self-taught the skills needed to bring Himitsu Station to life. Jaysen Batchelor utilized textbooks to learn the technical aspects, while Destiny Batchelor leveraged her real estate experience to secure the location beneath The Peery Salt Lake City Downtown. [1] The space features 1980s Japanese underground design and an original synth soundtrack, and utilizes technology comparable to that found in theme parks for its audio, lighting, and visual effects. [1]

A Gamble That Paid Off

The creation of Himitsu Station was a significant financial risk for the couple, who invested their house and savings into the project. [1] Despite initial anxieties, the attraction has been well-received by the public, and the Batchelors plan to expand the space, which currently occupies roughly 3,000 square feet. [1]

Looking Ahead

The Batchelors hope Himitsu Station will inspire others to take creative risks and elevate the entertainment landscape in Salt Lake City and beyond. [1] They encourage a spirit of innovation and originality in the entertainment industry.