Gunkanjima: Hashima Island

Gunkanjima Block 65 at Night
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Gunkanjima (軍艦島) officially known as Hashima Island (端島) is an abandoned island in Nagasaki. I had the luck to go there one beautiful November day back in 2010, and one more time in June 2012.

My first trip was actually a bit crazy: I didn’t know at all how to access the island, but since I live in Japan, I just jumped onto the train, paid a load of money, and went off really randomly to the Nagasaki harbour. From there I looked for a way to go, and eventually found it after some “research”. That day I enjoyed a trip of only one hour, but it was intense and proved to be a worthy discovery. I didn’t know that much about the place so it was an amazing mix of great and exciting feelings. I was really feeling like an explorer, even though I was far from being the first one.

The second time round, it was very well planned months in advance. But it was a special visit, because this time I really wanted to enjoy more of Gunkanjima. You will easily understand why/how while looking at the pictures, it was far from being just a little walk. Of course, it was much less of an “adventure” than the first time, but it was a more relaxing and deeper visit of the island during which I really got hooked on the island’s mysterious ambiance and interesting history.

Don’t miss the story about my adventures on Gunkanjima on:
“Gunkanjima Odyssey: 10 Stories on the Abandoned Island“

Please also have a look at the fantastic Pictures of Yuji Saga taken in 1974.

FACTS

  • 1890-1974
  • Nihon No Haikyo #177

Gunkanjima: Hashima Island, 9.8 out of 10 based on 115 ratings

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  • Fredcritter

    Beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing them!

    • http://www.totorotimes.com TigrouMeow

      Thanks a lot, I loved going there!

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  • Swingingrock

    I’ve just become your biggest fan. Urban exploration has been something I’ve been intrigued by for a year or so now, but I think it’s about time I grabbed my DSLR and ventured out. Gunkanjima was one of the first deserted places I heard about and it’s an ambition to go there one day.

    • http://www.totorotimes.com Meow • Japan & Urbex

      Thanks a lot, that’s super sweet :D Where are you from? There are many interesting spot to visit around you already. If you like those photos, you should check this page: www.meow.fr/gunkanjima-hashima-island. There are much more, with all the adventure explained :)

  • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

    Great photos.
    I just went there this month.
    I’m just wondering how you got your shots, because it looks like you went beyond the restricted areas?
    Thanks for sharing! :)

    • http://www.totorotimes.com Meow • Japan & Urbex

      Thanks! Yeah that’s beyond the restricted areas and obviously I had to sneak in. Not good, not good, but this is for the thrills and the pictures :p

      • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

        Bad boy, but awesome photos! So cool!
        I went with a tour, so I couldn’t sneak in ;P

        • http://www.totorotimes.com Meow • Japan & Urbex

          Have a look at the whole story if you didn’t read it here: http://www.totorotimes.com/urban-exploration/gunkanjima-hashima-battleship-island/

          • http://zoomingjapan.com/ zoomingjapan

            Well, I already had a look at it but my French isn’t really that good, so I mainly had a look at the photos! ^-^;

          • http://www.totorotimes.com Meow • Japan & Urbex

            It’s actually in English too, there are little flags at the top of the article (I guess I have to make them a big bigger). The direct link: http://www.totorotimes.com/en/urbex/gunkanjima-hashima-island/

  • Judedude99

    I am very interested in philisophical archaeology and this is a site i want to look into you more but i heard it is becoming/already is a tourist area and they have tourist trips, so im assuming alot of the artifacts are taken by tourists and alot of un naturally damaged items

    • http://www.totorotimes.fr/ Meow • Japan & Urbex

      There aren’t many artifacts on the island, but there are still a few (dolls, TVs, etc). What kind of artifacts are you looking for exactly? Don’t worry though: the tourists don’t have access to the island, just to two areas which are on the side. They cannot even approach the buildings and of course, can’t get inside at all.

  • Tsu

    Très belles photos comme d’habitude
    T’as de la chance d’avoir pu y retourner pour la deuxième fois x)
    L’ambiance doit-être des plus planante *.*

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Merci ^^ De nuit, c’était vraiment très particulier…

  • Dr.Freeman

    Я бы съездил, люблю подобные места. =)

    • Dr.Freeman

      vk.comdrfreeman

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Thanks for the smiley ^^

  • waysbcn

    superb shots!! congrats

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Thanks man.

  • Giorgio

    Incredible pictures. From the content, the angle and the photographic quality. Thanks for sharing.

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Thanks Giorgio! I am sure we can do better but the weather was fantastic, and of course it:s an amazing spot! I will make more soon and add them here (there are a few areas not covered here yet.

  • Kerensa Morrison

    Hey! I also live in Japan and I’m curious about how you were able to get there and go inside. If possible, could we speak via email? I live in Kumamoto, and my coworkers and I were curious about going here but didn’t like the idea of a guided tour.

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Unfortunately, this is no easy way to access it anymore, and it is still getting harder and harder as the time goes by. I went twice but each time was a lot of struggle… I am sorry but really can’t help (and if I could, you can imagine the numbers of emails I would receive everyday).

    • RMac
      • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

        I am pretty sure this is a guided tour. If you have to take one, pick the tour with Doutoku-san, he lived on the island so it might be more interesting.

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  • E-Rob

    Incredible composition and masterful use of ambient light (except where flash was obviously used on those apartment block night shots). Nice wides…maybe an 18 or 22mm W. Great job.

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Thanks Rob! Indeed, I shoot a lot at 14mm, I love it! Especially here, on Gunkanjima. I regret not to have more close-up maybe, but when your time is limited you don’t want to change your lenses all the time :)

  • Klaus Lipinski

    Very enjoyable! Different photographic styles, a great location – the right components for a first-class-report.

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Hey Klaus! Thanks for your comment! I’m glad you are still around, I was wondering about you recently :) Did you check my posts about Gunkanjima on Totoro Times?

  • sam

    truely amazing, have always loved this island, but i dont think ive even seen such great pics of it before. very jealous you got to explore where you did, what an adventure for you!

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Thanks a lot Sam. I indeed spent quite some time on this island at different time. The beautiful days of Spring where the best though, definitely :)

      If you like those photos, you should check my articles on Totoro Times: http://www.totorotimes.com/urban-exploration/the-gunkanjima-odyssey/. Bigger photos, more text, I really hope you can love it ^^

  • Slog

    I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the work you’ve done documenting these stunning places. In my 41 years on this planet I’ve been dreaming of such places in my sleep. Now I know they really exist.

    • http://www.totorotimes.com/ Jordy Meow • Totoro Times

      Thanks Slog :) Have you been reading the articles on Gunkanjima on Totoro Times as well? You would love them I am sure!