This small island is located in the offing of Nagasaki Peninsula. This uninhabited island is very famous among Japanese ruin lovers because of its shape and well preserved condition. Now, access to the island is strictly restricted by the goverment. A few years ago, I went by motorcycle to the Peninsula to see the battle ship shape of the island from the seaside. During the trip to the nearest port for the island I found a little signboard on the roadside. “To Gunkan-jima by ferryboat” Wow, I thought that I would be able to go to the island! So, I followed the sign which indicated that I should turn right. Soon I reached a small harbor and an old fisherman said to me “The next ferry from here to Hashima wharf is at 5a.m.”
The next morning I was at the harbor at 4:30a.m. Almost 20 people were there. Most of them were carrying their fishing rods and cool boxes with fishing gear. As for me, I just had a small bag with a camera and wore a rider’s jacket and leather pants. There were two young girls who could not fish so well. Oh yes, they were going to try to explore the inside of the island, like me. We all embarked the battleship. Twenty minutes later we reached the wharf and jumped off the boat. Most people went their different ways along the wharf to go fishing. But we, the girls and I, climbed the ladder onto the wharf.
At the top of ladder, there were huge buildings in front of me which I’d never seen before. Then I started exploring the island's ruins. Firstly, I walked around the small island to find out where the dangerous places were. The condition of most buildings was not so bad. I could not believe that they were built around 60 to 80 years ago!
I decided to try and climb up one of them. I chose an old tall apartment block. The stairs were firm but there were many bits of glass and stones. Finally I reached the top floor safely. The scenery from there was so good.
After my conquest to the top of the apartment, I checked the rooms for sign of residence. On entering one of the rooms, there were old manga magazines and empty coke bottles. OK, I understood all residents had been gone for almost forty years before because of the governmental energy change from coal to oil. It was very quiet there.
Next, I went to the west part of the island where I found a very impressive scene. The East China Sea and the bow of a battleship! I am not an enthusiast of ruins but I felt this view was very beautiful. I joined with the girls and we walked around the island.
About 20 minutes before 8a.m. we had to be back at the landing place to get on the boat. At last we researched the site of a school. The furniture in the classroom was destroyed by someone who did not have the conscience of a ruin lover.
Finally we got back to the harbor at 8:30. It was an amazing experience for me. Nowadays, you can go to this island safely in an official manner. Again, landing without permission is prohibited now.
