(軍艦島) Battleship Island

An island shaped like a battleship, Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) was once the most densely populated place on earth. They basically found coal in the island in 1810, and over the years developed the place to accommodate more and more and more people, until the demand of coal tapered off and the island was subsequently abandoned, and was officially closed on 1974 (wikipedia). 

At present, the island is open for tours and requires a boat ride and a guided tour, which is why I doubt any adventurer hoping to explore the island can go off on their own. 

Oh, and its official name is Hashima. Or Hashima Island. 

Budget: JPY4,900 (~USD48)

• JPY4,900. Museum and tour boat fee. 
• The rate increases to JPY5,400 for weekends and holidays. 

Visit Date

• March 30, 2017

When to Go
Available during the entire year, but depends on the weather. The reason the island looks like a battleship is the cemented sides, which was done given the strong waves. So it is within reason that those strong waves creates a challenge for those wanting to visit. 

Special Notes

• Website for tours. I doubt anyone can go in without booking this tour, given how difficult the access is. 
• There are two tours - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. 
• Check the website in advance to see the status of the tours, as it can change depending on a lot of factors - status of the port, weather, coronavirus closures....
• I'd recommend taking the tour + museum package, and going to the digital museum first to understand the background of the island. Otherwise it's just a pile of rubble. 
• Drones not allowed. 

Itinerary

• 12:10pm. Went to the boarding place, and get the ticket for the museum.  I had to sign a pledge where I would follow the rules. Walked to the museum. I walked around the museum, and definitely enjoyed it. I can't believe how crowded the place got. 
• 01:00pm. Started walking back to the port, and waited for boarding.
• 01:30pm. Boat started sailing to the island. 
• 02:17pm. Got my first glimpse of the island. The boat went around the island first, and there was plenty of time to take pictures. 
• 02:42pm. Got off on the island. I was very disappointed by how small the distance we could walk on. I had an earpiece that allowed me to hear the explanations by the guides (in English). 
• 03:16pm. Headed back to the boat. 
• 03:40ish. Back at the port! Done!

There was a long list to sign. Plenty of don'ts. 

Miniature of people taking some much needed "fresh air" on rooftops. 

Because come on - look at how small each "residence" is. With domestic violence added in. 

Off to start boarding!

They give numbers since I also have a translator for the tour. 

The boat. 

I sat at the very front. 

Hello Gunkanjima!

Another angle. I have so many of these pictures. 

Soooo many. 

No other way in but the port. 

Finally in the island!

Pretty small tunnel at the port. 

First view of the abandoned buildings. 

A hike? 

Plenty of these places. 

The small houses? 

Just plenty of these pictures really. 

The area that we are allowed to visit. Can't really walk around to explore. 

Another abandoned area.

Much needed bench. 

This is why exploring on one's own is not recommended - everything is basically a hazard. 

But still very tempting to walk around (I didn't)

Would be great to see a before and after. 

Being herded back to the boat. 

Dominoes? 

Back to the boat!

Aaaand we're done!