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Gunkanjima (ŒRŠÍ“‡) is a small island located about 20 kilometers from Nagasaki Port. Until 1974, the island served as a coal mine, and more than 5000 residents called the 480 meter long, 150 meter wide island home, resulting in the highest population density in history recorded worldwide.

To accommodate so many people in such a small area, every piece of land was built up so that the island came to resemble a massive battleship. In fact, "Gunkanjima" is a nickname that means "battleship island" in Japanese. The island's formal name is Hashima.

Coal was first discovered on Gunkanjima in 1810 by the feudal lord of Saga. Industrial mining began in the late 1800s, and soon after, the island was purchased by the Mitsubishi Corporation. As production increased, the island was expanded, and large residential and industrial buildings and high sea walls were constructed.

Managers, workers and their families all called the little island home. The residents were able to live out a more or less typical life. Half of the island was devoted to the workings of the mine, the other to residential space, schools, restaurants, shops, a public bath and a hospital.

In April 1974, the mine was closed, and its residents had to leave Gunkanjima, abandoning the island with all its buildings. Over the years since then, direct exposure to typhoons has caused the residences and mining facilities to deteriorate, giving the island an eerie and haunting atmosphere. Due to the danger of collapsing structures, Gunkanjima was closed to the public, and for many years could only be seen from sightseeing cruises that circled the island.

In 2009, a new boat dock made it possible for sightseeing tour boats to land on Gunkanjima. Tour participants are taken to three observation decks in a small part on the southern end of the island and spend about 45 minutes on the island with Japanese speaking tour guides. Tours do not involve getting too close to the buildings because of the risk of collapse.

The boat ride between Nagasaki and Gunkanjima is also enjoyable. Boats take about 50 minutes one way, and pass large Mitsubishi ship building factories and other islands along the way. The ride also allows for nice views of the city of Nagasaki and its port from the water.

For those unable to get to Gunkanjima, an alternative is the Gunkanjima Digital Museum near the Oura Church in Nagasaki. This modern museum boasts an impressive amount of information about the island, including a simulated journey down a working mineshaft and a digital installation that recounts aspects of living through testimonials and photographs. Visitors can also take augmented reality tours of certain areas of the island as they exist today.

Getting there and around

Tour boats to Gunkanjima are operated by multiple companies and depart from various locations in Nagasaki Port, including the Nagasaki Port Ferry Terminal near the Ohato tram stop (3 minutes by tram line 1 from Nagasaki Station) and the Tokiwa Terminal near the Ourakaikandori tram stop (15 minutes by tram line 1 and 5 from Nagasaki Station).

The Gunkanjima Digital Museum is located a short walk from the Oura Church and the Ouratenshudo tram stop on tram line number 5.

How to get to and around Nagasaki

Hours and Fees

Multiple companies operate boat tours to Gunkanjima. Tours typically take about three hours, including close to an hour spent on the island itself, and cost around 3910-5810 yen per person. Note that in case of bad weather or high waves, landing on the island may not be possible or boats may not operate at all. Advance reservations are recommended especially on weekends and during holidays.

The Gunkanjima Digital Museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) with a small number of irregular closing days. Admission costs 1800 yen. The museum takes 45-90 minutes to explore and has a moderate level of English, which is contributed to by English headsets that follow the digital installation.

Hotels around Nagasaki

Top rated in Nagasaki
Budget:
    • Nagasaki Kagamiya
      Budget-friendly
      Nagasaki Kagamiya offers dorm beds and private Japanese rooms, a 5-minute walk from Hotarujaya Tram Station. It features a garden and a cosy shared lounge with free WiFi and a free-use internet pc. Ladiesf kimono rentals are available. Private rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor, on which guests sleep in traditional futon bedding. Shared dormitory rooms come with bunk beds. Toilets and bathrooms are shared.
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    • Hilton Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Located 400 metres from Nagasaki Station, Hilton Nagasaki offers 5-star accommodation in Nagasaki and features a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. Featuring a spa and wellness centre, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around 1.1 km from Fukusaiji Temple and around 800 metres from 26 Martyrs Museum. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.4 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 2.8 km from Hilton Nagasaki, while Peace Park is 3.4 km away. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 39 km from the accommodation.
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    • Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae
      Luxury
      Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae is set in Nagasaki, 3 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 3.6 km from Peace Park. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. At Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. The accommodation provides a range of facilities such as a spa and wellness centre including a sauna. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Popular points of interest near Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae include Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki Museum of History and Fukusaiji Temple. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from the hotel.
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    • i + Land Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Renovated in April 2018, i + Land Nagasaki is 18.5 km or a 40-minute drive from Nagasaki Station. A hot spring bath, sauna, garden and kids area are available for guests. The property provides a 24-hour front desk. An Asian breakfast is served daily at the property. Guests can make use of the sauna. Cycling is among the activities that guests can enjoy near the resort. Nagasaki Museum of History is 11 km from i + Land Nagasaki, while Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 11 km from the property. Nagasaki Airport is 27 km away.
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    • ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel is located in Nagasaki, within 3.1 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 3.7 km of Peace Park. This 2-star hostel offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 300 metres from Nagasaki Station. All rooms are fitted with a kettle, while some rooms come with a kitchen with a stovetop. At the hostel all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Nagasaki Museum of History, 26 Martyrs Museum and Fukusaiji Temple. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 39 km from ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel.
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    • Garden Terrace Nagasaki Hotel & Resort
      Luxury
      Located in Mount Inasa, boasting skyline view of Nagasaki city, Garden Terrace Nagasaki Hotel & Resort in Nagasaki has a number of amenities including a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a bar. With free WiFi, this hotel offers free shuttle service and a 24-hour front desk. Nagasaki Station is a 10-minute drive away, while the property is a 15-minute drive from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. All air-conditioned units at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV with cable channels and Blu-ray player, a coffee machine and a fridge. All rooms has an ocean view with a terrace. The private bathroom with includes a bathrobe, hairdryer and free toiletries. This hotel offers guests a relaxing experience with on-site spa services at "SPA RICH". This hotel offers a Japanese-style cuisine and tempura restaurant "Akizuki", French restaurant "Restaurant Forest", Sushi restaurant "Tenku" and Teppanyaki-grill restaurant "Chikusai". Guests can choose from Japanese-style or Western-style breakfast every morning at this hotel. Popular points of interest near Garden Terrace Nagasaki include a 15-minute drive to Peace Park and 20-minute drive to Glover Garden.
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    • hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI
      Mid-range
      Hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI features a shared lounge, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Nagasaki. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.3 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI each room comes with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI include Nagasaki Station, Oura Catholic Church and Glover Garden. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from the hotel.
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    • GRAND BASE Nagasaki Chukagai
      Mid-range
      Located 1.7 km from Nagasaki Station, 1.7 km from Nagasaki Museum of History and 4.2 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, GRAND BASE Nagasaki Chukagai provides accommodation situated in Nagasaki. With free WiFi, this 3-star aparthotel offers full-day security and private check-in and check-out. The aparthotel features family rooms. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet, slippers and a hair dryer. A microwave, a fridge and kitchenware are also provided, as well as a kettle. The units include a desk. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Oura Catholic Church, Glover Garden and Minato Park. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from GRAND BASE Nagasaki Chukagai.
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    • THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Featuring massage services, 3 restaurants and a concierge, THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki is situated right outside Takaramachi Tram Station, which is the 2nd station from Nagasaki Station. WiFi is accessible in all areas of the hotel and rooms include a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV. Guests at THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki stay in contemporary rooms with a fridge and safe with complimentary green and black teas. The private bathroom has a bathtub and toiletries, while pajamas are provided. JR Nagasaki Train Station is an 8-minute walk away. Guests can also take a sight-seeing bus from the front side of this hotel. Nagasaki Peace Park and Urakami Cathedral are 10-minutes away via car, while Nagasaki Airport is a 50-minute ride away on the express bus service. The Kitchen boasts 15th floor views of Nagasaki City and serves a sumptuous Japanese and Western breakfast buffet comprised from over 40 different dishes. Coffee and snacks are served at Cafe de Bijoux. Please note that renovation of Fifth floor is going on from 10:00 to 17:00 daily and some rooms may be affected by noise.
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    • Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
      Luxury
      Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is located in Nagasaki, within 4 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 4.6 km of Peace Park. Featuring a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.5 km from Nagasaki Station. The units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. At Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers a range of wellness facilities including a sauna, a hot tub and a spa centre. Speaking English and Japanese, staff are always on hand to help at the 24-hour front desk. Popular points of interest near Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown include Nagasaki Museum of History, Oura Catholic Church and Glover Garden. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 38 km from the hotel.
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