The real ghost island is in Japan — the most eerie maritime ruin, Hashima Island

By / Edited and Reported by the Editorial Department of MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network

 
Once reported by British media and selected as one of the world’s top ten ghost towns, Japan’s “Hashima” is an abandoned island located about 19 kilometers southwest of Nagasaki City. Due to its battleship-like shape, it is also known as Battleship Island. In its early days, due to booming mining operations, the tiny island was once home to as many as 5,000 residents. But as the mining industry declined, residents left Hashima, leaving behind empty buildings that fell into decay, creating an apocalyptic and eerie scene that left a deep impression — so much so that the film *Skyfall* even filmed scenes there.

In the 19th century, large deposits of coal 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, more and more laborers were drawn to the site. To accommodate the growing number of workers, Mitsubishi initially undertook land reclamation efforts, but this still couldn't handle the massive influx of laborers. Therefore, in 1916, the company turned to the sky for living space, giving birth to Japan’s first large-scale concrete residential building — constructed to house the hundreds of mining families on Hashima.

By 1960, the island's population had reached its peak. On the 1.2-kilometer-long Battleship Island, there were 5,267 residents, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world — with density nine times that of Tokyo’s special wards at the time. Aside from mining facilities, the island had everything necessary for daily life, including residential housing, schools, shops, and even temples and cinemas… all could be found there, forming a complete, miniature city.