Hashima Island (Gunkanjima) is an isolated island in the ocean which once held the world’s largest population density, within a land area of 0.063㎢.
The island, which had been forgotten from people’s memories, was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2015 as one of the Industrial Revolution Heritage Sites of Meiji Japan.
A recommended way to enjoy sightseeing on Gunkanjima is to visit the Gunkanjima Digital Museum before arriving on the island.
At the museum, you timeslip into the past using the latest digital technologies such as virtual reality (VR), giant screens, and projection mapping!
Visitors can see the vibrant people of the island which had the world’s highest population density, This shows the rugged nature of living, and includes images and videos of off-limits areas that cannot be seen on the landing tour. It allows you to experience the world that certainly existed there about half a century ago.
Located about 40 minutes by boat from Nagasaki Port, this small undersea coal mine island is an artificial island built by reclaiming land around a reef.
It is called “Gunkanjima” (meaning “warship island”) because of its resemblance to the warship “Tosa”, With quays surrounding the entire island and lined with high-rise reinforced concrete buildings. At its peak in 1960, the island was home to approximately 5,300 people, making it the most densely populated island in Japan at the time. The island had an elementary and junior high schools, hospitals, and other facilities, including movie theaters, pachinko halls, and other entertainment venues. This made it possible to provide for all aspects of daily life on the island.
The coal from the Hashima Island coal mine was of very high quality, and together with the adjacent Takashima coal mine, contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan. However, the mines began to decline as the main energy source shifted from coal to oil, and closed in 1974. The island too was closed in 1974, and the islanders left with a variety of feelings, Now it remains uninhabited.
In 2009, the public was allowed to explore the island, and today many people visit Gunkanjima on tours.
After visiting the museum and getting a feel for the life of inhabitants who lived on the island for about 80 years, it is time to visit Gunkanjima yourself!!
The ruins of Gunkanjima are decaying and slowly falling apart, so you may never get to see them in this condition again. Take the journey through time and space with this once-in-a-lifetime experience that you can only have here and now.
There are many photogenic places to visit, so don’t forget to charge your camera or phone.
Why not also visit popular tourist spots in Nagasaki City, such as Holland Slope, Dejima, and Urakami Tenshudo, where you can feel the history of Nagasaki, together with Gunkanjima?
It takes about 30 minutes by bus from Nagasaki Station to Nagasaki Port.
From Nagasaki Port, board the Gunkanjima Landing Tour Boat (reservation required) for the 40-minute ride to Gunkanjima.
– Basic Information –
Gunkanjima Digital Museum https://www.gunkanjima-museum.jp/
– Basic Information –
Gunkanjima Landing Cruise (Operated by Takashima Kaijo Kanko Co., Ltd.)
Location: 11-22, Motofune-cho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 850-0035
Telephone number: 095-827-2470
Contact Hours: 8:00 – 17:00
For reservations and operation status, please check the website.
https://www.gunkanjima-cruise.jp/
