If you are intrigued by the ghostly deserted island that was featured in the latest James Bond movie Skyfall, you might be interested to learn that it is now available to explore in more detail thanks to Google’s Street View service.
The extraordinary island called Hashima, and sometimes referred to as Gunkanjima the “Battleship Island,” was built as a coal mining location and housed 5,000 people in its heyday.
The Rise and Fall of Hashima Island
Hashima Island, located off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan, has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. The island was first populated in 1887 when coal was discovered beneath its surface. Mitsubishi bought the island in 1890 and began extensive mining operations. To accommodate the growing number of workers, Mitsubishi constructed Japan’s first large concrete building in 1916, a nine-story apartment block. This was a significant architectural feat at the time and marked the beginning of the island’s transformation into a bustling community.
At its peak, Hashima Island was home to over 5,000 residents, including miners and their families. The island had all the amenities of a small city, including schools, hospitals, and shops. The dense population and the island’s unique shape, resembling a battleship, earned it the nickname “Gunkanjima” or “Battleship Island.”
However, in 1974, when the coal industry collapsed, the island was deserted and left to fall apart. The rapid decline of coal as a primary energy source led to the closure of the mines, and the residents were forced to leave. The once-thriving community quickly became a ghost town, with buildings and infrastructure left to deteriorate.
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Exploring Hashima Island Today
Today, Hashima Island stands as a haunting reminder of Japan’s industrial past. The island’s abandoned concrete buildings and undisturbed sea wall create an eerie atmosphere that has fascinated historians, urban explorers, and filmmakers alike. The island’s unique appearance and history made it an ideal filming location for the James Bond movie Skyfall, where it served as the villain’s lair.
Thanks to Google’s Street View service, you can now explore Hashima Island from the comfort of your home. The virtual tour allows you to navigate through the island’s crumbling buildings and narrow alleyways, providing a glimpse into what life was like for its former residents. The detailed imagery captures the island’s desolate beauty and offers a unique perspective on its historical significance.
Wikipedia explains:
“The island was populated from 1887 to 1974 as a coal mining facility. The island’s most notable features are the abandoned and undisturbed concrete apartment buildings and the surrounding sea wall. It is known for its coal mines and their operation during the industrialization of Japan. Mitsubishi bought the island in 1890 and began the project, the aim of which was retrieving coal from undersea mines. They built Japan’s first large concrete building (9 stories high), a block of apartments in 1916 to accommodate their burgeoning ranks of worker”
The island has also been the subject of various documentaries and research studies, highlighting its role in Japan’s rapid industrialization and the harsh working conditions faced by the miners. Despite its abandonment, Hashima Island remains a symbol of resilience and human ingenuity.
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