Gunkanjima: Nagasaki’s Abandoned Battleship Island

Nagasaki's Battleship Island

Hashima Island, commonly known as Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), is an abandoned offshore mining facility in Nagasaki. In July 2015, the island was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Because of its eerie, decaying landscape, it was chosen as the setting for the ruined world in the Attack on Titan live-action movie. It also famously served as the inspiration and filming location for the James Bond film Skyfall.

You can explore the island virtually via Google Street View.

Gunkajima is Located in Nagasaki

Gunkanjima (meaning "Warship Island") is a small, semi-artificial island located about 19 kilometers from Nagasaki Port—roughly a 40-minute boat ride.

Spanning just 160 meters wide, 480 meters long, and covering 6.4 hectares, the island earned its nickname because its silhouette resembles a massive warship from above.

Following the launch of its coal mining operations in 1870, Gunkanjima's population boomed, peaking at over 5,000 residents. However, as global energy shifted from coal to petroleum, the mine was shut down in 1974, leaving the island completely deserted.

Today, it stands as a ghost island, preserved in time with Japan's very first high-rise reinforced concrete apartments and abandoned mining facilities.

Photo by Pixta

Since opening to the general public in April 2009, Gunkanjima has transformed into a captivating tourist destination.

Guided tours take visitors through overgrown industrial ruins, crumbling concrete worker apartments, and the ominous "Stairway to Hell." At the island's center sits a quiet, abandoned Shinto shrine, while the perimeter walls offer sweeping views across the East China Sea.

Recognizing its historical significance, UNESCO officially designated the island as a World Heritage site in July 2015, listing it under "Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining."

First, Let's Approach Gunkanjima by Sea

This is what Gunkanjima looks like from the sea. You can feel the pre-landing elation from the screen.

With your cursor on the screen, click and drag the screen and try moving around. The scenery will move in all directions as if you were turning your head to explore it.

Next, put your cursor on the left side of the screen and click. The view will advance to the left, reaching the Dolphin Pier, the entrance to Gunkanjima.

Dolphin Pier plays a large role in getting ashore, because Gunkanjima is known for the strong currents that prevent easy landings.

Landed on Gunkanjima!

Okay, we've finally arrived at Gunkanjima.

The red brick structure directly ahead of you is the former general office, which served as the command center for the island during Gunkanjima’s peak as a bustling coal mining city.

Acting as the island's control tower, this building housed around 80 administrative employees who managed daily operations. Back then, it was a restricted, adults-only space where children were strictly forbidden.

While this central hub once bustled with various buildings, most have vanished over time—leaving only the striking façade of this brick office to offer a glimpse into the island's industrious past.

This is the residential area. Though deserted now, countless people used to live in housing complexes like this one. At its peak, Gunkanjima boasted a population density nine times that of Tokyo.

These square-shaped frames lined up in a row are pillars that were used for a conveyor belt. Coal moved along these to be stored in a coal yard, and was then loaded onto a carrier.

Inside the Ruins

With Street View, you can see inside ruins that are usually off-limits to the public.

"People used to live here."

Remind yourself of this as you let your mind wander to the distant past. You can also see a refrigerator and a cooking stove, and if you advance further you can check out the living room where people probably enjoyed their family time.

Visit the he Gunkanjima Digital Museum in Nagasaki

If you want to travel back in time, the Gunkanjima Digital Museum in Nagasaki uses cutting-edge technology to bring the island's history to life.

Through massive screens and projection mapping, you can feel the bustling energy of its peak years and explore restricted areas that are completely off-limits on the physical tour. It’s the perfect way to experience Gunkanjima—especially if you'd rather skip the boat ride.

Whether you're an Attack on Titan fan, an urban exploration enthusiast, or just a traveler looking for a uniquely fascinating side of Japan, this museum is a must-visit.

Gunkanjima Digital Museum
Location: Google Maps
Hours: 9:00 – 18:00 (Last admission at 17:30)
Access: A 1-minute walk from Oura Cathedral Station (Nagasaki Electric Tramway)
Admission:
- Adults (General): 1,800 yen
- Junior High / High School Students: 1,300 yen
- Elementary School Students: 800 yen
- Children (Ages 3–6): 500 yen
- Infants (Under 3): Free

Official website: Gunkanjima Digital Museum

Main image from Pixta