The coal industry on Gunkanjima once flourished, and the island itself acted as a submarine coal field. It was abandoned in 1974, however, but today it offers the chance to catch a glimpse of what daily life was like during the island's coal mining period.
A steep cliff wraps around the entire island, and the silhouette of high-rise buildings made with rebar and concrete is said to look like a battleship. This is where the island got its name: Gunkanjima literally means “battleship island” in Japanese. The island is also registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
On the Gunkanjima Cruises, passengers can not only learn about the history of Gunkanjima, but also actually step off the boat onto the island and experience firsthand the rebar and concrete seven-story apartment buildings and the former office of the brickwork coal mines. Additionally, after departing from Nagasaki Port and before landing at the island, passengers can gaze back at the cityscape of Nagasaki, as well as the port’s landmark, Kimegami Ohashi Bridge. For those who want the full experience of Gunkanjima's history of prosperity and decay, make sure not to miss these tours.

Photographs provided by the Nagasaki Prefecture Convention and Tourism Association.