Visiting Hashima Island today
- What it is: An abandoned coal-mining island about 15 km off Nagasaki, nicknamed Gunkanjima (Battleship Island). Miners lived here until the mine closed in 1974, and it is part of the UNESCO-listed Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution.
- Getting there: Landing tours go by boat from Nagasaki Port and take about 2.5 hours. Operators include Yamasa Shipping (reception at counter 7, Nagasaki Port Terminal Building), Gunkanjima Cruise, Seaman Company and Gunkanjima Concierge. Advance reservation is required.
- Admission and hours: Yamasa's adult fare is ¥5,150 (¥4,500 boarding plus a ¥650 Nagasaki City landing fee); elementary school students pay ¥2,570. Its tours leave Nagasaki Port at 9:00 and 13:00 daily, and English guides run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Other operators set their own fares.
- Weather: Landing is not guaranteed. Yamasa says it is not allowed if wind exceeds 5 m/s or waves exceed 0.5 m, and only about 100 days a year meet the conditions. If the boat cannot land, the cruise becomes a shorter tour and the landing fee is refunded.
- Tip: Wear flat, closed shoes (sandals and heels are not allowed to land) and no umbrellas. The island has no toilets, shops or vending machines, so bring drinks.
Best timeGood any time of year
Checked against: Gunkanjima Landing Cruise - Yamasa Shipping · Gunkanjima Landing Tour - Discover Nagasaki. Check opening times and prices before you go.
Hashima Island on Shibuya246
Photos and stories from our visits, as they were written at the time.
Travel
Gunkanjima mini-tour
Once a thriving coal mine, more recently a derelict deserted mass of buildings on an island off Nagasaki, Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima…