GUNKANJIMA(軍艦島)

Historical | Nature | Exterior

Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is a unique post-apocalyptic looking small island with massive apartment building ruins that in the 1960’s was the most densely populated place on earth. Featured in a 007 movie years ago, Gunkanjima is now a UNESCO site. The domino like shape of tall densely constructed apartments, school buildings, hospital, shops and more are crumbling and overgrown by nature giving the island the appearance of a battleship on the horizon, hence the nickname "Gunkanjima" (Battleship Island). Geographically, the island is situated about 18 kilometers southwest of Nagasaki Port and can be accessed by a 30-minute boat ride from the port or a 10-minute charter from another nearby fishing village.

The history of Gunkanjima dates back to the late 19th to mid-20th century, when it flourished as a coal mining hub. In particular, the construction of Japan’s first reinforced concrete apartment building in 1916 became the center of life for the miners and their families. At its peak, the small island housed about 5,300 residents, making it the most densely populated area in Japan. However, with the decline in coal demand due to changes in energy policy, the mine was closed in 1974, and the island was abandoned.