Gunkanjima, officially Hashima, is an uninhabited island located about 15km off the coast of Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It once flourished due to undersea coal mines, and at its peak the population exceeded 5,000, boasting a population density higher than that of Tokyo at the time. However, the coal industry declined due to the energy revolution, and the mines were closed in 1974, and the islanders left the island, leaving it uninhabited. Today, the high-rise reinforced concrete apartment buildings from that time remain as they were, and the unique landscape resembles a battleship, which is why it came to be called "Gunkanjima." The history of the coal mines that supported Japan's modernization and its current abandoned appearance leave a strong impression on visitors.

Gunkanjima was recognized for its historical value and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2015 as one of the components of the "Meiji Industrial Revolution Heritage Sites: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding, and Coal Mining." Currently, you can tour the island from some of the well-maintained observation paths by joining a landing tour. On the tour, you can learn about the lives of the people at the time, the state of the coal mine, and the changes in the island after the mine was closed, while listening to detailed explanations from the guide. The ruins, which give a sense of the weight of history, are also popular with photography enthusiasts.

It is a spot that ruin enthusiasts will not be able to resist.

There is a tour, and it takes about 45 minutes by boat from Tokiwa Port to get there.

It may not be possible to land and go around the island due to weather conditions. In the event of cancellation, a refund will be given.

[Trivia]

Japan's first high-rise reinforced concrete structure was the miner's housing "Building 30" built in 1916 on Hashima Island (commonly known as Gunkanjima) in Nagasaki Prefecture. It was originally four stories tall, but was later expanded to seven stories.

[Useful concerns]

Landing on Gunkanjima is greatly influenced by weather conditions such as wave height and wind speed. In the event of bad weather, tours are often canceled. Cancellation rates tend to be higher especially in winter, so we recommend planning with plenty of time, such as setting aside a backup day.
Tours are essential and highly popular, so book early.