Hashima Coal Mine

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.