Battleship Island
Putting together “Battleship Island” gave us a new perspective on what life was like for the families that lived there.
Japan’s most famous urban ruins weren’t always deserted, as shown in this video from the 1960s when Gunkanjima’s ghost town was still alive and well.
You’ve probably heard of Battleship Island before, the small abandoned island off of Nagasaki that looks like a battleship from afar and a zombie wasteland up close. It’s on its way to becoming a UNESCO world heritage site, which will bring in more tourists and help with its preservation.
But while Battleship Island gets its moment in the limelight, other abandoned islands around Japan are having a pretty tough time. Take Hoboro Island off the coast of Hiroshima for instance. It was once a decent-sized island known for pearls and oysters, but now it spends its days mainly being eaten away by millions of bugs and slowly sinking into the sea.
Nagasaki is known for having a lot of history, being the only port open to foreign trade during Japan’s long isolation in the Edo Period. But one of Nagasaki’s most captivating tourist attractions really isn’t that old – Hashima Island, better known as Gunkanjima, or Battleship Island. It’s eerie existence brings haikyo (urban ruins) fans from all over the world. If you can’t make it to the island yourself, or are unsatisfied with the limited visibility from the tour, wait no longer. Thanks to “Gunkanjima Archives,” an organization run by Nishi Nihon Newspaper, which is dedicated to bringing you photos and videos of the desolate island, you can now take an Ultra HD drone tour of the island in a spellbinding video.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
4 Days in Tohoku, Japan’s Northeastern Treasureland
The massive Pokémon card public art display going on in Japan right now is a thing of beauty【Pics】
We travel to Yamanashi to try the water cake that disappears in 30 minutes!【Taste Test】
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
In Kyoto, “Hey, you’ve got a really nice watch” is NOT a compliment, Japanese businessman says
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
New rules allow Japanese adult film actresses to stop the sale of their videos after five years
Weekly
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country- Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Morning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national- And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
Monthly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating- Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
We travel to Yamanashi to try the water cake that disappears in 30 minutes!【Taste Test】
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
In Kyoto, “Hey, you’ve got a really nice watch” is NOT a compliment, Japanese businessman says
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
New rules allow Japanese adult film actresses to stop the sale of their videos after five years
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 strangest kanji ever 【Weird Top Five】
Does Tokyo’s “breakup shrine” really have the power to end relationships?
Japan’s job-quitting service claims bosses contact it to try to make their employees quit
Japanese AI device reads stories to your kid with your voice, even if you’ve never read them【Vid】
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Private teleworking booths–how much work can you get done in one? We test it out
Anime and video game backgrounds now free to download for video conference calls
Man photographed robbing ramen shop at knife point
-
