Hashima Island Tourism

Hashima Island, commonly known as Gunkanjima (meaning 'Battleship Island'), is an abandoned island off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan. Its name derives from its apparent resemblance to a warship when viewed from a distance. Spanning only 6.3 hectares, it was once a coal mining facility operated by Mitsubishi from 1887 until the mine's closure in 1974. Thousands of workers and their families lived on the island, leading to an extremely high population density. The island boasted residential complexes, schools, a hospital, and retail stores. After the coal reserves were depleted, the island was left deserted and exposed to the elements for decades. In recent years, Gunkanjima has become an intriguing site for culture and history enthusiasts. Due to its unique industrial heritage, Hashima Island was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2015, as part of Japan’s Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution. However, due to safety concerns, access to the island is restricted and only possible through guided tours which cover a small portion of the island while the dilapidated structures can be viewed from observation decks.