Battleship Island - Gunkanjima - Nagasaki Japan

 Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima (meaning "Battleship Island" due to its resemblance to a battleship), is an abandoned island located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of Nagasaki, Japan. The island is renowned for its dense, concrete buildings and its eerie, desolate atmosphere, which has earned it the nickname "Ghost Island."

Originally developed in the late 19th century as a coal mining facility by the Mitsubishi Corporation, Hashima Island experienced rapid growth during the early to mid-20th century as Japan's industrialization accelerated. At its peak in the 1950s, the island was one of the most densely populated places in the world, with over 5,000 residents living and working in its high-rise apartment buildings and industrial facilities.

However, with the decline of coal mining in Japan and the shift towards alternative energy sources, the island's population began to decline rapidly. By the 1970s, the Mitsubishi Corporation had shut down the mine, and Hashima Island was abandoned, leaving behind a haunting reminder of its industrial past.

In recent years, Hashima Island has gained international attention as a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors intrigued by its history and unique atmosphere. In 2009, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining" group.

Despite its appeal as a tourist attraction, access to Hashima Island is restricted, and visitors are only permitted to explore certain areas of the island on guided tours due to safety concerns and the deteriorating condition of its structures.

Overall, Hashima Island stands as a poignant symbol of Japan's industrial history and the legacy of its coal mining industry, while also serving as a reminder of the human impact on the environment and the consequences of rapid urbanization and industrialization.

*Japan
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   - Nagasaki - things to do

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