ABOUT
About this spot
Hashima, popularly known as "Gunkanjima" (Battleship Island), floats off the coast of Nagasaki and was once an undersea coal mining island that supported Japan's modernization. At its peak it had the highest population density in the world, and Japan's first reinforced-concrete high-rise apartment buildings stood here. It earned its nickname because its silhouette resembled the battleship Tosa. Today it is uninhabited, but it was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2015 as part of the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution," and it has become a popular destination for many visitors. On the landing cruise, you can listen to explanations from a specialist guide while seeing up close the overwhelming presence of the crumbling buildings and the traces of the lively lives of the former islanders. Because the chances of being able to land are limited by the waves, the emotion of getting ashore is all the greater. It is recommended not only for history lovers but also for those who want to capture extraordinary scenery with a camera. If you visit Nagasaki, this is a one-of-a-kind place worth visiting at least once, where you can sense the weight of history and the passing of time.
Last updated March 27, 2026