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.
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.
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
English
Hotels around Nagasaki
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Nagasaki Marriott HotelSituated 200 metres from Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki Marriott Hotel offers 5-star accommodation in Nagasaki and has a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. Among the facilities at this property are a business centre and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation features room service, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Rooms are fitted with a kettle, while certain rooms come with a balcony and others also boast city views. At Nagasaki Marriott Hotel, rooms have a seating area. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Nagasaki Marriott Hotel include Nagasaki Museum of History, 26 Martyrs Museum and Fukusaiji Temple. Nagasaki Airport is 39 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Nisshokan Bettei KoyoteiNisshokan Bettei Koyotei is located in the Nagasaki Area, a 10-minute drive from Nagasaki Peace Park. Featuring views of the beautiful Nagasaki, it offers a public bath and free parking. Bettei Koyotei Nisshokan is a 15-minute drive from Glover Garden. JR Nagasaki Train Station is a 5-minute drive from the hotel, and a free shuttle is provided. The Japanese-style guestrooms offer both air-conditioning and heating facilities, and an en suite bathroom. Each room is equipped with a fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and a TV with cable channels. Guests can take a relaxing bath while enjoying the views of Nagasaki. There is a gift shop on-site. A Japanese breakfast set can be enjoyed in rooms. Drinks can be purchased from the vending machine on-site.View on Booking.com
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Nagasaki KagamiyaSet within 2.8 km of Nagasaki Station and 5.4 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Nagasaki Kagamiya provides rooms in Nagasaki. This 1-star hostel features free WiFi and a garden. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.9 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. Peace Park is 6 km from the hostel, while Oura Catholic Church is 4.3 km away. Nagasaki Airport is 34 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Hilton NagasakiLocated 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 500 metres from 26 Martyrs Museum and around less than 1 km from Fukusaiji Temple. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. At the hotel, every room comes with a desk. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests at Hilton Nagasaki can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 2.5 km from the accommodation, while Peace Park is 3.1 km away. Nagasaki Airport is 39 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki EkimaeSet within 3 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 3.6 km of Peace Park, Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae offers rooms in Nagasaki. 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. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae provides a range of facilities such as a wellness area including a sauna. Speaking English and Japanese, staff are ready to help around the clock at the reception. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki Museum of History and Fukusaiji Temple. Nagasaki Airport is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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i + Land NagasakiRenovated 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.View on Booking.com
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FAV LUX NagasakiSet 2.1 km from Nagasaki Station, FAV LUX Nagasaki offers 4-star accommodation in Nagasaki and has a restaurant. The property is around 2.6 km from Nagasaki Museum of History, 4.7 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 5.3 km from Peace Park. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Guest rooms at the hotel come with a seating area. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, all guest rooms at FAV LUX Nagasaki have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms also feature a terrace. At the accommodation the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at FAV LUX Nagasaki can enjoy a continental breakfast. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Oura Catholic Church, Glover Garden and Inorinooka Picture Book Museum. Nagasaki Airport is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKIHotel 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. Buffet and American breakfast options are available daily at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI include Nagasaki Station, Oura Catholic Church and Glover Garden. Nagasaki Airport is 38 km away.View on Booking.com
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ROUTE - Cafe and Petit HostelROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel is located in Nagasaki, within 2.6 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 3.2 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.View on Booking.com
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THE GLOBAL VIEW NagasakiFeaturing 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.View on Booking.com
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