Gunkanjima – The Ghost Island Tour: 4-Hour Cruise Shore Excursion

Overview

Experience one of the most hauntingly beautiful and historically significant sites in Japan with the Gunkanjima – The Ghost Island tour. Officially known as Hashima, this small island earned the nickname “Battleship Island” because its silhouette of high-rise concrete buildings resembles the Japanese warship Tosa. Once the most densely populated place on earth, it now stands as a silent, crumbling monument to Japan’s rapid industrialization and the eventual decline of the coal mining era.

Specifically designed for guests docking at the Nagasaki Cruise Terminal, this 4-hour “Historic Site” excursion provides a seamless transition from your ship to the ferry terminal. With its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site and its fame as a filming location for Hollywood blockbusters like Skyfall, Gunkanjima offers a surreal atmosphere unlike anywhere else on earth. With our “Back-to-Ship Guarantee,” you can explore these mysterious ruins with total confidence in a punctual return to your ship.

Highlights

• Gunkanjima (Hashima Island): Explore the abandoned “Battleship Island,” a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site that serves as a time capsule of the 20th-century coal industry.
• Modernist Ruins: Witness the eerie beauty of Japan’s first large-scale ferroconcrete apartment blocks, now partially reclaimed by nature.
• Cinematic Locations: Visit the real-life inspiration for Raoul Silva’s lair in the James Bond film Skyfall and the filming site for the live-action Attack on Titan.
• Industrial Heritage: Learn about the island’s peak during the Showa period, when its mines fueled Japan’s economic miracle before closing abruptly in 1974.
• Scenic Boat Journey: Enjoy a narrated cruise from Nagasaki Harbor, offering unique views of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyards and the surrounding coastline.

Complete Details

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome at the Nagasaki Port terminal. Your licensed English-speaking guide and driver will meet you at the pier for a short transfer to the ferry terminal.

The core of the excursion is the boat journey to Gunkanjima. As you approach, you will see the towering concrete sea walls that protected the island’s 5,000+ residents. Once ashore, your guide will lead you along the safe, designated observation paths. You will look into the ruins of schools, hospitals, and apartment complexes where workers and their families once lived in incredibly cramped conditions. You’ll see personal artifacts left behind in the rush to abandon the island in 1974, creating a poignant and mysterious atmosphere.

The juxtaposition of the harsh, man-made concrete structures against the encroaching sea and vegetation provides incredible photography opportunities. After exploring the designated areas of the island and circling it by boat for a full 360-degree view of the “Battleship” silhouette, you will return to the mainland. Finally, your driver will return you directly to the Nagasaki cruise terminal, arriving well before your “all aboard” time.

Booking with Jasumo

To book this private 4-hour Gunkanjima excursion, please contact us via our Contact Us Form. Please note that landing on the island is strictly dependent on weather and sea conditions; if landing is not possible, a scenic boat tour around the island is usually conducted.

Jasumo also provides Destination Management Company (DMC) services, offering end-to-end support and reliable local coordination for individual travelers and travel agencies.

Complimentary 10GB eSIM with Every Jasumo Tour Booking

When you book your tour through Jasumo, we make your journey even smoother by giving you a free 10GB eSIM. Stay connected across Nagasaki and during your boat trip—use maps to track your location, message your group, and share your “Ghost Island” photos instantly without worrying about finding Wi-Fi or buying a local SIM. It’s our way of ensuring a stress-free and fully connected travel experience.

FAQs

Can we walk anywhere we want on the island?

For safety reasons, visitors are restricted to three designated observation decks connected by a paved walkway. The buildings are structurally unstable, so entering them is strictly prohibited, but the observation points offer excellent views of the most iconic ruins.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Landing on Gunkanjima requires calm seas. If the captain determines it is unsafe to dock, the tour will typically become a “cruise-only” tour around the island, and a partial refund of the landing fee is provided. We always monitor conditions to give you the best possible experience.

Which port will my ship dock at?

Most cruise ships dock at the Nagasaki Matsugae International Terminal. Our guide and driver will meet you right outside the terminal exit.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The boat journey and the observation paths on the island involve some walking and steps. The gangway to the island can be steep depending on the tide. Please consult with us if you have specific mobility concerns.

Does the “Back-to-Ship Guarantee” cover the boat schedule?

Yes. We coordinate with the boat operators and monitor your ship’s departure time in real-time. We ensure you are back at the pier at least 1 hour before departure.

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