by Bryce Marley-Jarrett
Gunkanjima Island is located off the coast of Nagasaki on the southern island Kyushu. It was once a full working island city, with schools, movie theatres and more. It was once the most densely populated place on earth, and now you can tour and see the ghost town it has become. Today we are taking a look at it’s history and the easiest way for you to visit an island that few people have seen in the last 40 years.
It’s official name is Hashima Island but it is more commonly known as Gunkanjima (軍艦島 - Warship Island), due to its uncanny resemblance to a warship floating in the water. Gunkanjima’s history dates back to 1887, when coal was discovered on the island. By the end of the 1800’s, the island was populated and used as a seabed coal mining facility. In 1890 the Island was purchased by Mitsubishi (Yes, Mitsubishi) who further expanded the production and mining operation on the Island. Through land reclamation of the ocean, they were able to expand the very small space of the island to further increase their production ability.
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