Hashima: How the island became a spooky lost place

Lost places exude a very special fascination and have been a real trend among travelers and adventure seekers for many years. One of the most famous lost places is Hashima Island, off the west coast of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan . Because of its shape, reminiscent of a warship, the island is also called Gunkanjima (Japanese for battleship island).

What's extraordinary about this lost place: Not so long ago, this patch of land measuring just 0.063 square kilometers was the most densely populated island in the world. Today, all that remains of its former inhabitants is a ghost town. No one lives on Hashima anymore – for one very simple reason.

The island's history dates back to 1887, when coal mining began in the region. A large coal deposit under Hashima was located at sea, which was to be mined. The reason for this was the growing importance of fossil fuels and Japan's rapidly advancing Meiji industrialization. The island's coal deposits were also particularly needed in the booming shipbuilding industry, according to the Japan Tourism Agency .

Because of its shape, Hashima is also called Warship Island.

Source: imago images/Westend61

In 1890, the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi acquired the island with the goal of establishing a model town for mining workers. In the 1910s, Mitsubishi began building multi-story concrete apartment buildings, schools, shops, a hospital, and even a brothel. The infrastructure was adapted to the extremely limited space—Hashima measures only 160 meters wide and 480 meters long.

In 1959, the population peaked at over 5,000. This meant that each person occupied only about 9.9 square meters of land—a record figure that made Hashima the most densely populated island in the world. During World War II, however, forced laborers from China and Korea were also employed on the island to work in the dangerous coal mines.

According to reports, approximately 1,300 people died under the extreme conditions. These aspects of the island's history continue to be controversial, especially in the context of the UNESCO World Heritage status that Hashima received in 2015 as part of the "Meiji Industrial Sites of Japan."

With the global decline in coal demand in the 1960s, Hashima rapidly declined in importance. In 1974, Mitsubishi ceased mining operations for good, and the population quickly abandoned the island—with all their possessions. Since then, Hashima has been uninhabited and left to decay naturally.

The residents have long since left the island. Their homes are falling into disrepair.

Source: imago/Kyodo News

The abandoned high-rise buildings, factories, and residential complexes have fallen into disrepair. Plants sprout through cracks in the walls, roofs have collapsed, and windows are shattered. Hashima now resembles a post-apocalyptic setting. This is precisely what makes the island a magnet for photographers and lost-place enthusiasts from all over the world.

A visit to the eerily beautiful island is certainly possible. However, travelers must follow a few rules. Due to the island's UNESCO status, the government now strictly protects the ruins. Visits are only permitted as part of guided tours, as many buildings are in danger of collapsing. Some parts of the island are off-limits for safety reasons.

The official guided boat tours depart from Nagasaki Harbor and reach the Battleship Island after a roughly 40-minute journey. The tour costs approximately €26.50 per person. There is also a small entrance fee to the island of approximately €1.80. Those who don't want to make the trip to Japan or want to get a glimpse from afar can also explore Hashima on Google Maps using Street View.

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travel reporter