Hashima Island Gunkanjima
An abandoned 16-acre island, Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), a UNESCO site known for its haunting concrete ruins and industrial past.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather, fewer crowds
Hashima Island Gunkanjima
Best Time
Pleasant weather, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An abandoned 16-acre island, Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), a UNESCO site known for its haunting concrete ruins and industrial past.
"A truly unique and eerie glimpse into Japan's industrial past, like stepping onto a forgotten movie set."
🎯 Book Tours Early
Tours, especially those allowing island landings, sell out fast. Book online in advance!
☁️ Weather is Crucial
Tours can be cancelled due to rough seas. Be flexible with your dates if possible.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The 'Battleship' Silhouette
From the ferry
Witness the island's iconic, imposing shape that earned it the nickname 'Battleship Island'. A truly unique sight.
Abandoned Concrete Structures
On the island (guided path)
Explore the eerie, decaying apartment buildings and industrial ruins, frozen in time since the 1970s.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Island exterior and interior
Understand the historical significance of this former coal mining hub, now a testament to Japan's industrial revolution.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Weather is Key for Landing
Book Tours in Advance
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tours Early
Tours, especially those allowing island landings, sell out fast. Book online in advance!
☁️ Weather is Crucial
Tours can be cancelled due to rough seas. Be flexible with your dates if possible.
🚶♀️ Stick to the Path
You can only explore designated areas on a concrete walkway for safety.
📸 Capture the Eerie Vibe
The island's desolation is incredibly photogenic. Bring your camera!
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tours Early
Tours, especially those allowing island landings, sell out fast. Book online in advance!
☁️ Weather is Crucial
Tours can be cancelled due to rough seas. Be flexible with your dates if possible.
🚶♀️ Stick to the Path
You can only explore designated areas on a concrete walkway for safety.
📸 Capture the Eerie Vibe
The island's desolation is incredibly photogenic. Bring your camera!
💰 Tour Costs
Expect to pay around ¥5000 for the ferry and landing tour.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are captivated by Hashima Island's unique, eerie atmosphere and its stark industrial ruins, often described as a 'battleship' of concrete. The historical significance as a UNESCO site and the dramatic landscape make it a memorable experience, though weather-dependent tours and restricted access are common points of note.
"I booked the tour online with Yamasa and I showed up 45 minutes prior to boarding to pick up my ticket at the Nagasaki Port Terminal Building.
The weather was calm and I was very lucky to be able to land on the island. The path on the island has no elevation or stairs. The English guide did an excellent job and there was ample time to look around and take pictures."
John C
"I did not get a chance to hop onto the island because the operator said that the waves were too rough. The tour is in English on Tues, Thursday, Saturday & Mandarin on Mon, Wed, Fri. The ferry took about 40 minutes to reach the island & then circled around to show passengers the different sides of the island and gave some explanation."
Isabella Tan
"Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima or "The Battleship Island", is an abandoned mining colony, one of the many uninhabited islands of Nagasaki Prefecture.
What started as a seabed coal exploitation in 1887 grew to a fully fledged city, with its own Pachinko (something like a casino) parlour, only to be abandoned in the '70s with the mine depleted.
Appointment as UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of Japan's Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining) was surrounded by controversy, as it was a site of force labour prior and during the World War II - many miners were Chinese and Korean.
The island became a tourist attraction only recently, being off limits until the 2000s. Since it's abandonment, the buildings haven't been maintained, being subjected to the harsh elements (e.g. typhoons); therefore, although in original conditions, they have been damaged and are not safe for exploration.
Although ruin enthusiast might go crazy when they hear about the place, be advised that you cannot actually enter the buildings (or, better said, what's left of them), as visitors access is restricted to a concrete consolidated walkway which covers only on a small part of the island.
The island is accessible only as a guided tour through a 45 minutes ferry trip, but be aware that there are only 2 trips scheduled everyday (morning and noon), so be sure you are not late! I think the trip is cancelled if the weather is bad.
I found it one of the best places to visit in Nagasaki, albeit a little expensive (around 5000 Japanese Yen)."
Traian 'Captain' Dumitru
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Hashima Island is accessible only by guided boat tours departing from Nagasaki Port. Several tour operators offer trips, with varying durations and whether they include disembarkation on the island. The ferry ride typically takes about 40 minutes.
No, Hashima Island is located about 17.5 kilometers (11 miles) off the coast of Nagasaki and is too far to be seen from the city itself. You must take a boat tour to get close.
Tours generally include a ferry ride around the island, with some offering the chance to land and walk on a designated path. English-speaking guides are often available.
The ferry ride to and from the island is approximately 40 minutes each way. Tours that include disembarkation will have additional time spent on the island.
Unfortunately, due to its distance from the mainland, there are no hotels in Nagasaki that offer a direct view of Hashima Island.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The cost for a guided tour that includes disembarkation typically ranges around ¥5000 per person. Tours that only circle the island may be slightly less expensive.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book your tour tickets in advance, especially if you wish to land on the island, as tours can sell out quickly.
Tours usually operate twice daily, with morning and noon departures. However, specific schedules vary by operator and are subject to weather conditions.
No, access to Hashima Island is restricted to guided tours. Visitors are only allowed to walk on a specific, consolidated concrete path for safety reasons.
Tours to Hashima Island are frequently cancelled due to rough seas or adverse weather. Operators will usually offer a refund or reschedule your tour.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed on the designated paths during guided tours. The island's unique, decaying architecture makes for striking photos.
The abandoned apartment buildings, the industrial ruins, and the overall desolate landscape offer numerous photographic opportunities. Capture the 'battleship' silhouette from the ferry as well.
Drone usage is typically prohibited around Hashima Island to ensure the safety of tours and preserve the site. Always check with your tour operator.
A wide-angle lens is useful for capturing the scale of the buildings and the island's landscape. A telephoto lens can be good for details from the ferry.
While photography is permitted on the tour path, be mindful of your surroundings and follow your guide's instructions. Do not attempt to enter unsafe structures.
🎫 📜 History & Significance
Hashima Island, or Gunkanjima, was a thriving undersea coal mining facility from 1887 to 1974. It was once one of the most densely populated places on Earth, housing over 5,000 people. 
The island was abandoned in 1974 when the coal mines were depleted. The closure of the mines made the island economically unviable, leading to its evacuation.
It's recognized as part of 'Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution,' showcasing the rapid industrialization of Japan through coal mining, steel, and shipbuilding.
Yes, the island's history includes controversial periods of forced labor, particularly for Chinese and Korean miners during World War II.
Due to its abandonment and tragic history, Hashima Island is often associated with ghost stories and eerie tales, contributing to its 'haunted' reputation.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
However, it's crucial to manage expectations. Landing on the island is weather-dependent and not guaranteed. When disembarking, children must stay on the designated path with adults at all times due to safety concerns. The historical context, including the harsh working conditions and potential for forced labor, might be too intense for very young children. Consider the ferry tour around the island as a good alternative if landing is not possible or if you have younger kids.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1 The 'battleship' silhouette from the ferry is a must-capture, as are the crumbling apartment blocks and remnants of daily life left behind. Be prepared for varying light conditions and the elements. A wide-angle lens is highly recommended to encompass the scale of the ruins, while a telephoto lens can be useful for details. Remember that access is limited to the designated path, so plan your shots within these boundaries. Drone photography is generally prohibited.
🏛️ History Buffs & Urban Explorers
The island offers a tangible connection to the lives of the miners and their families who once inhabited this unique, self-contained city. While you cannot enter the buildings, the guided tour provides historical context and insights into the island's past, including its controversial history of forced labor.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Rise and Fall of Gunkanjima
+2The island's prosperity was tied directly to its coal mines. However, as Japan transitioned to other energy sources like oil, the coal mines became obsolete. In 1974, Mitsubishi closed the mines, and the island was rapidly abandoned. The sudden departure left behind a city frozen in time, with apartments, schools, and shops left to decay.
Today, Gunkanjima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical significance in Japan's industrial past. While its buildings are in ruins, subjected to the harsh elements and natural decay, they stand as a powerful testament to a bygone era. Access is now strictly controlled, with guided tours offering a glimpse into this unique, abandoned landscape.
Navigating Your Visit: Tours and Restrictions
Several tour operators offer trips, with the most sought-after being those that allow disembarkation onto the island itself. However, landing is contingent on favorable weather conditions. Rough seas are a common reason for tour cancellations, so flexibility with your travel dates is advisable.
Once on the island, visitors are confined to a specific, consolidated concrete walkway. This is for safety reasons, as the abandoned buildings are structurally unsound and not safe for exploration. Photography is permitted along this path, allowing you to capture the eerie beauty of the ruins.
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