The real haunted island is the most eerie maritime ruin in Japan — Hashima Island, also known as Battleship Island.

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department, compiled and reported

 
Once reported by British media and selected as one of the world’s top ten ghost towns, Japan’s "Hashima" is a desolate island located about 19 kilometers southwest of Nagasaki City. It earned the nickname "Battleship Island" due to its resemblance to a naval vessel. In its early days, the mining industry thrived, and the tiny island was once home to as many as 5,000 residents. But as the mining industry declined, residents left, leaving empty buildings to decay and crumble, creating an eerie, post-apocalyptic scene that leaves a deep impression — so much so that it was even used as a filming location for the James Bond movie "Skyfall."

In the 19th century, large coal deposits were discovered in the waters around Hashima. Seizing the opportunity, the Mitsubishi conglomerate purchased the island in 1890 and began undersea mining operations. As mining developed, it attracted more and more laborers. To accommodate the growing population, Mitsubishi initially undertook land reclamation efforts, but it still couldn’t house the massive number of workers. So, in 1916, Mitsubishi turned to the sky for living space, and Japan’s first large-scale concrete apartment building was born, providing homes for hundreds of mining families on Hashima.

By 1960, the island’s population had reached its peak. On Hashima, which has a circumference of just 1.2 kilometers, there were 5,267 residents, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world — with a density nine times that of Tokyo’s special wards at the time. Aside from mining facilities, the island had all the essential amenities for daily life, including residential housing, schools, shops, and even temples and cinemas... everything could be found there, forming a fully functional mini-city.