Nagasaki: Gunkanjima Battleship Island Private Guide Tour

Gunkanjima Digital Museum This museum offers an immersive look into the history of Gunkanjima, from its coal mining days to its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s an ideal alternative for visitors who may not be able to access the island due to weather or other restrictions. With interactive exhibits and detailed displays, the museum provides a rich, educational experience for both adults and children interested in Japan’s industrial past and modern history.

Located about 15 km off the coast of Nagasaki City, Hashima Island—better known as Gunkanjima (“Battleship Island”)—earned its nickname from its warship-like silhouette. Once a bustling coal mining hub, the island was home to over 5,000 residents at its peak, making it the most densely populated place in the world at the time. Abandoned since 1974, Gunkanjima now stands as a haunting symbol of Japan’s industrial era. In July 2015, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution."