Gunkanjima is a place you should visit at least once! Introducing the highlights and points of interest

[Gunkanjima Landing Cruise]

Gunkanjima was featured in a TV drama last year and is a hot topic.
I'm sure there are many people who would like to go there at least once! ✨

Currently, there are five companies that run landing tours.
There seems to be no difference in the amount of time you can visit the island or the probability of landing.
(The type of ship and route seem to differ.)

This time I participated in a tour with "Yamasa Kaiun" ⛴️
Detailed information about Yamasa Kaiun is posted at the bottom 📝

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◼︎ 1st and 2nd photos
< Building 30 >
When viewed from above, the building is shaped like the letter "R" and has an open atrium structure in the center.
It is the first reinforced concrete apartment building in Japan.

◼︎ 3rd photo
< Entrance to the Second Shaft >
The remains of the Second Shaft can be seen in the far right.
This is the island's main shaft and had an elevator that descended vertically to 606m underground.
The inclined shaft continued further underground, 1,010 meters, and it seems that the working conditions were quite harsh.
The stairs leading from the shaft to the surface were called the "Stairs of Life," and it shows how dangerous the work was.
< Remains of the Third Shaft Winding Base >
The brick building is the remains of the Third Shaft Winding Base.
There was a winch that raised and lowered the cages that entered the tunnel.

◼︎ 4th photo
< General office >
There was a communal bath for the miners, and the seawater bath for pre-washing was said to be black with dirt.

◼︎ 5th photo
< Finishing factory >
Many of the coal mining-related facilities were demolished when the mine closed or collapsed afterwards, so not many remain.
However, the finishing factory still retains its shape.
It is said that machinery maintenance was carried out there.
< Blacksmith's shop >
It stands close to the bank on the right.
It seems that a can factory and an underground machinery factory were also located in this area.

◼︎ 6th photo
< Former Hashima Elementary and Junior High School >
The only school on the island. At its peak, it had 1,169 students.
It was originally a 6-story building, but a 7th floor was added.
< Remains of the coal storage conveyor belt >
A conveyor belt ran on top of these pillars, transporting refined coal to the coal storage yard.

◼︎ 7th photo
The ship we rode on, #Yamasa Kaiun's Marbella.
The seats on the second floor are open-view with only the roof, so we recommend it as you can get a good view of Gunkanjima.

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40 years have passed since the mine closed, and Gunkanjima is lined with buildings that are over 100 years old.
They are exposed to waves, wind, and rain and are deteriorating.
It is extremely difficult to carry out preservation work while maintaining their value as ruins.
If you are thinking of going someday, please come early☺︎

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💰4,500 yen/person
→ If you book early online, it will be up to 3,600 yen!

🕐[1st flight] 9:00~ [2nd flight] 13:00~
The journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes

💡Points
Registration begins about 60 minutes before departure.
I arrived 30 minutes before departure, but there was a line to fill out the vow form and exchange the boarding pass.
To get a good seat on the boat, it's best to go early!

🛳️Recommended seats
The boat is two-story and can accommodate more than 200 people.
The second floor seats, which have an open view with only a roof, are popular, and the right side of the direction of travel is popular, and you can get a good view of Gunkanjima on the outbound journey.
The first floor is fully air-conditioned and heated, with 2-4-2 seats.
From the four-seater seat in the middle, the window is far away and you can't see much outside 🥺

📝Other
-There is a restroom on board.
-Umbrellas are not allowed on Gunkanjima. Raincoats are a must on rainy days. They are also sold on board (200 yen).
-Reservations were full, but several groups were able to board on the day of the boat due to cancellations!
-We split into three groups. One of them was an English guide.

#Gunkanjima #Hashima #battleshipisland #hashima #nagasaki #NagasakiTourism #gunkanjima #DiamondsInTheSea
#IntroducingJapan'sBreathtakingViews