[2025 Nagasaki ] Travel Guide for Gunkanjima Cruise (Hashima) (Updated Jul)

⁡ \Gunkanjima (Hashima)/ ⁡ ⁡ It is said that you can see the process of a city collapsing. It is a place where a once prosperous island has been left as it is. It has been weathered considerably, and many buildings have collapsed. It is also a certified World Heritage site, so if you are interested, I recommend you go and see it whenever you feel like it! After all, you never know when you might not be able to go. By the way, I was able to land on Gunkanjima on my second attempt. The first time, it snowed unexpectedly and the wind was strong, and the boat was canceled. It's true that you can't land even if the wind is strong, so it might be better to have a few extra days🥺 #domestictraveltrip #Gunkanjima #Gunkanjimacruise #SeamanTrading #Hashima #NagasakiTourism #WorldHeritage #WorldHeritageTour #WorldHeritageCity

Hashima, part of the World Cultural Heritage "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding, and Coal Mining," is a fascinating destination. From the Meiji era to the Showa era, Hashima thrived as an undersea coal mining site, boasting a population density higher than Tokyo during the 1960s. Although the coal mine has since closed and the residents have left, day cruises to Hashima are available, allowing visitors to land on the island. Landing on the island is only possible through these cruises, but with a knowledgeable guide explaining the island's origins and history, the experience is both educational and enriching.

#Domestic Travel Strategy Gunkanjima (Hashima) is an abandoned island located in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, and once flourished as an undersea coal mine. It was nicknamed "Gunkanjima" because of its resemblance to the battleship "Tosa." In 2015, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as one of the "Meiji Industrial Revolution Heritage Sites of Japan." ⸻ 📍 Basic information • Official name: Hashima • Location: Hashima, Takashima-cho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture • Access: 🚶♂️ Approximately 30 minutes by cruise ship from Nagasaki Port • Landing tour fee: 💰 Adults: Approximately 3,500 to 5,000 yen 💰 Children: Approximately 1,500 to 2,500 yen ⸻ 🌟 History of Gunkanjima • 1810: Coal is discovered • 1890: Mitsubishi purchases the island, and coal mining development begins in earnest • 1916: Japan's first high-rise reinforced concrete apartment building is built • 1960: At its peak, 5,300 people lived here, making it the highest population density in the world • 1974: The coal industry declined, and the mine was closed and the island became uninhabited. ⸻ 🚢 Access & Directions The most common way to get to Gunkanjima from Nagasaki city is to take a cruise tour. • Gunkanjima Concierge (most popular): 4,200 yen for adults (boarding fee + guide) • Seaman Shokai: 3,600 yen for adults (guide included) • Yamasa Kaiun: 4,000 yen for adults 💡 Check the weather forecast in advance, as it may be impossible to land if the weather is bad! ⸻ 🏝️ Places to see & how to enjoy 🏚️ High-rise apartment complexes • Japan's first reinforced concrete structure (built in 1916) • Densely packed in a small space to make effective use of the island's limited space ⸻ 🛤️ Coal mine ruins • Remains of tunnels and coal-dressing facilities • The harsh life of the miners at the time is evoked ⸻ 🏫 School and communal facility ruins • There are schools, hospitals, shops, movie theaters, etc. on the island • You can feel that life was possible on this small island ⸻ 🌊 Tour to see the exterior from the sea • Even if you can't land, the view from the boat is spectacular! • It is also impressive to see the battleship-like silhouette from the sea ⸻ 🎧 How to choose a recommended tour ✅ Choose a tour with a guide → You will be given a detailed explanation of the historical background and life at that time ✅ Check tours that allow photography ✅ Please check the refund rules as landing may not be possible due to weather or high waves ⸻ 📅 Best time to visit 🌸 Spring (March to May) – The weather is stable and the landing rate is high ☀️ Autumn (September to November) – The sun is not too strong and it is comfortable 💡 Be careful as it is hot in summer (June to August) and windy in winter (December to February) and the landing rate decreases! ⸻ 🍽 Recommended gourmet food in the area 📌 Nagasaki Champon (Shikairo) – The restaurant where champon was first created! 📌 Castella (Fukusaya) – A long-established castella is the perfect souvenir 📌 Turkish rice (Tsuruchan) – Western food menu of Nagasaki specialty ⸻ 🏨 Recommended accommodation areas 📌 Around Nagasaki Station – Easy access, plenty of restaurants 📌 Dejima area – Beautiful night view, easy to visit 📌 Inasayama area – Many hotels with a panoramic view of Nagasaki night view ⸻ 🚶♂️ Recommended model itinerary 9:00 – Departure from Nagasaki Port (Gunkanjima tour) 9:45 – Landing on Gunkanjima (Guided tour about 1 hour) 11:00 – End of Gunkanjima tour, return to Nagasaki Port by boat 12:00 – Lunch with Nagasaki Champon 14:00 – Sightseeing at Glover Garden & Oura Cathedral 16:00 – Sightseeing at Dejima 18:00 – Enjoy the night view from Mount Inasa ⸻ 🚨 Precautions ⚠️ Gunkanjima has many off-limit areas, so be sure to follow the tour guide ⚠️ If the waves are high, you may not be able to land ⚠️ Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as the ground is poor ⸻ 🌅 Summary ✅ Gunkanjima, which once flourished as a coal mine, is a spot that symbolizes the history of Japan's industrial revolution ✅ Even if you can't land, it's worth seeing the silhouette from the boat ✅ Understanding the historical background will help you enjoy it even more Gunkanjima is a place where you can feel the romance of history. If you're sightseeing in Nagasaki, be sure to visit! 🚢✨