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Hashima Coal Mine

  • View of Hashima Island.
  • Aerial view of Hashima showing the perimeter sea wall and the south and east sectors of the island that were developed to primary mining facilities.
  • View of Hashima Island.
  • There are the remains of No. 2 shaft (left). Presently, only the round pit head, which was filled by concrete is visible. The tall building (center) was a bridge where miners entered into underground pits and check points. The building (light), which does not have a roof, was a management office.
  • No. 65 company residence building for miners. It was nine-storied (partially ten-storied) and the biggest company residence in Hashima. It had U-shaped structure and there was a children's park in the courtyard and a kindergarten on the roof top.
  • No. 16 company residence building, constructed in 1918 (right one). There was long stairs leading to Hashima Shrine, located on the higher point.
  • The factory where machines were maintained. It is the two-storied reinforced concrete building and visible from a tourist walking route.
  • The brick wall (right in the photo) was a part of the building which housed winding engine of No. 3 shaft and was built in 1896. After No. 3 shaft was closed, it was used as a material storage.
  • Hashima Coal Mine in 1910.
View of Hashima Island. Aerial view of Hashima showing the perimeter sea wall and the south and east sectors of the island that were developed to primary mining facilities. View of Hashima Island. There are the remains of No. 2 shaft (left). Presently, only the round pit head, which was filled by concrete is visible. The tall building (center) was a bridge where miners entered into underground pits and check points. The building (light), which does not have a roof, was a management office. No. 65 company residence building for miners. It was nine-storied (partially ten-storied) and the biggest company residence in Hashima. It had U-shaped structure and there was a children's park in the courtyard and a kindergarten on the roof top. No. 16 company residence building, constructed in 1918 (right one). There was long stairs leading to Hashima Shrine, located on the higher point. The factory where machines were maintained. It is the two-storied reinforced concrete building and visible from a tourist walking route. The brick wall (right in the photo) was a part of the building which housed winding engine of No. 3 shaft and was built in 1896. After No. 3 shaft was closed, it was used as a material storage. Hashima Coal Mine in 1910.

Hashima coal mining island is an artificial reclaimed island and the site of Japan's first major undersea coal exploitation (1890) pioneered by Mitsubishi - and host to one of the world's most extraordinary former mining communities. Hashima Island is located 3 km southwest of Takashima, and it was the success of Takashima that led Mitsubishi to purchase this island - both islands giving access to the same undersea coal deposit. Hashima's coal had a low ash and sulphur content, commanded a good price and was in high demand. As production increased, Hashima expanded with the landfill of waste coal slack. The new land apron surrounding the island was protected by a high perimeter sea wall. In 1900, the mine and island was lit by electricity. This energy revolution prompted the introduction of electric winders to what became one of the world-leading ocean collieries. Experience gained during the operation of the Takashima Coalfield laid the foundation of modern coal mining in Japan and subsequently diffused to Miike and elsewhere in Japan, and Asia. In January, 1974, as oil replaced coal in yet another energy revolution, the island colliery was closed, and the electricity turned off. Now Hashima is a ruin called "Gunkanjima", so called after its resemblance to the silhouette of a battleship.

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Hashima Coal Mine
Designation: National historic site
Address: Takashima, Nagasaki city, Nagasaki
Tel: 095-829-1152
(Tourism Policy Division,Nagasaki city)
How to go to Hashima There are several shipping lines, connecting Nagasaki port and Hashima. Reservation is needed.
- Yamasa Marine Transportation,
Tel: 095-822-5002
- Takashima Traffic Advisory,
Tel: 095-827-2470
- Seaman Co, Tel: 095-818-1105
- Gunkanjima Concierge,
Tel: 095-895-9300 (English guide available)
- Baba Hironori,Island-go
Tel: 090-8225-8107