Hashima Island: The Most Haunted Island in Nagasaki, Japan

Regardless of the public’s infatuation, the legacy of this island remains a mystery.

It’s still unsure whether the focal point of the island should rotate around its part for remembering Japan’s industrial revolution or as a part of the memory of the forced labourers who had to suffer through excruciating circumstances.

Touring the Island

There were days when a fishing vessel was hired to drop people off at the island; these days are now long gone.

In order to reach Hashima, one must join the organized tours that run at various times of the day.

The boat takes about 30 minutes to get to this island from Nagasaki. After stepping out of the boat it is like entering a dystopian world of sci-fi, usually seen in movies or video games.

You can see gigantic twisted girders, crumbled structures of bricks, and shrubbery claiming back the spaces in which an entire community once flourished.

These organized tours take visitors along a set path along the elevated walkways.

The walkways pass near various surrounding best sites. People who like independent exploring will find this guided tour disappointing.

But, these guided tours are necessary for protecting tourists from collapsing buildings.

You must know that this place has various iconic images like unique X-shaped staircases. This island tour comprises several key features of the island.

Everything from the entrance led to one of the mine shafts and a few ruined concrete apartment buildings. You can find plenty of great photo opportunities throughout too.

The tour guides provide some exciting insights into the historic lifestyle and conditions on the island of its former residents.

Plan Your Visit

Talking about Nagasaki is the closest city to Hashima, which is also linked with some significant Japanese hubs by air, and rail from Fukuoka.

Various tour companies help to take groups to the island from Nagasaki. One of which is Gunkanjima Concierge, which organizes multilingual tour guides.

You will often come across guides speaking Japanese on the way out.

Make it a point to ensure that you have taken sunscreen and some snacks or beverages.

This tour also provides loaner sun hats, that are one good idea.

This is because there is no shade, and the sun can be harsh and harmful to the skin.

One essential thing you must note is that there are no bathrooms on this island.

Industrial Rise and Fall of Hashima Island

While in the early 1800s, coal was first located on the 16-acre island.

During an attempt to catch up with western colonial powers, Japan started a phase of rapid industrial development that got started in the mid of 1800s. Then it was utilized by Hashima Island for the trial.

After when Mitsubishi acquired the island in 1890, seawalls were developed consequently developed and started extracting coal as Japan’s first main undersea coal exploitation.

Then in 1916, a seven-floor apartment block, Japan’s first large reinforced concrete building, was constructed for the miners. This was done for protection against typhoon damage.

Even sturdy concrete was recycled to create various structures like a school, apartment complexes and a hospital. It was done solely to grow the community.

After some time, a renewed interest In Hashima Island was seen amongst people.

Why is Hashima Island abandoned?

When coal mining declined, operations at the facility ceased, and the island was abandoned.

As we all know, Mitsubishi maintained ownership of the island even when the population of this place dropped to zero. Later in 2002, this place was transferred to Takashima Town.

In 2005 this town was absorbed by the city of Nagasaki. A lot has already been enclosed with the history behind the seawalls of Hashima Island. It comprises a lot of things like complex, rich, and devastating.

There is one obvious thing; the Japanese enclave is undoubtedly a testament to how in an abandoned area, nature and industry find their way to interact.

I hope people looking for this island’s history and current situations can find their answers in this article.

Do let me know how you feel about this article, and don’t forget to include any queries that you still have. Thanks for coming this far and reading!