How long can you see Gunkanjima?

I've always wanted to visit Hashima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, commonly known as Gunkanjima. It's a World Heritage Site, the entire island covered in ruins. Originally a prosperous island thanks to coal mining, it had a higher population density than Tokyo until the mines closed in 1974. While the national television penetration rate at the time was only 10%, Gunkanjima had an astonishing 100%. It shows just how prosperous it was. Now, this once-prosperous island is a massive ruin, and a World Heritage Site. For some reason, I've been drawn to it since I was a child. I'd been putting off visiting these places in Japan, but there's a reason why I've finally decided to go.

I don't know how long I'll be able to see them.

These buildings are barely holding up against the effects of aging and repeated typhoons. Apparently, the typhoon caused some damage...
I decided I absolutely had to go.
*A word of caution here.
Make your reservations for the Gunkanjima tour boat before your flight.
They're fully booked even a month in advance.
We managed to find two companies with availability and booked immediately.
Choose a day when the weather is likely to be calm.
The reasons for this will be explained later.

Landing on the island is a game of luck.
When I spoke to hotel and shop staff on the island and told them I was there to see Gunkanjima, they told me that the landing rules are very strict and even the slightest swell is forbidden.
Nagasaki Prefecture has strict rules, and the boat company abides by them.
I heard that some people tried three times but were unable to land...

And finally, the day arrived.
It was a beautiful sunny day! We went in the afternoon, but people in the morning were apparently able to land.
We waited with a mixture of excitement and anxiety as we boarded the boat.
They said they wouldn't know if we'd be able to land until the last minute.
The wind was getting stronger, so would that be okay? Everyone was anxious as the cruise began.

With the crew's lively guidance, the boat headed toward Gunkanjima.

Along the way, we stopped at a photogenic spot (said by the crew) where we could take pictures from afar.

Still, there was no word on whether we would be able to land.

The waves and wind were steadily getting higher than they had been in the morning.

We were filled with anxiety.

Then finally, the crew member took the microphone.

"Congratulations! We've been confirmed to land!"

I still remember the applause from everyone.

I later heard that it was really a close call.

If it had been even a little higher, we wouldn't have been able to disembark.

(In that case, they would have circled the island.)

We finally landed on Gunkanjima.

I was captivated by the buildings that looked as if they were about to collapse. It's heartbreaking to see such a once-thriving place transformed like this.
The sailor showed me a photo of a sign, likely written by a child, asking for food for parakeets and goldfish.
The mine was suddenly closed, and people were given three months to leave the island.
My time on land flew by as I reminisced about the sailor's stories.
I only learned when I landed that the entire island is a World Heritage Site, and only two parts that existed since the Meiji era.

Anyway, I'm glad I came to Gunkanjima.
And I'm glad I was able to land.
It's a place I can wholeheartedly recommend.
The people of Nagasaki were also incredibly kind.
A new addition to my travel guide: things you can only see now.

#Nagasaki #Gunkanjima #DomesticTravel #KyushuTourism @#GunkanjimaCruise

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