This is a high-quality, reliable Japan tour planned by Club Tourism, a major Japanese travel company with over 70 years of history. A team renowned for their hospitality accompanies the tour, and it has received high praise from customers of various nationalities.
• The tour is conducted in Japanese, but we have many participants from Taiwan and Hong Kong, so even first-timers can participate with confidence.
- Landing on Hashima Island (Battleship Island), a World Heritage Site
・Includes a free pass for the tram! Enjoy exploring Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, Minami-Yamate district, and other areas at your own pace.
[Travel conditions]
Departure point/Destination: Hakata/Nagasaki
Trip duration: Day trip
Meal plan: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
Minimum number of participants: 15
Tour guide: 1
Guide: 0
[Travel planning/execution]
Company Name: Club Tourism International Inc
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration Number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1693
Affiliated travel industry association: Regular member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
[Consignment Sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Co., Ltd.
2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Registered Travel Agency No. 2045, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency
Member organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
A minimum of 15 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 10 day(s) before the departure date
The Gunkanjima landing cruise may be canceled depending on the weather on the day. In that case, the cruise will be changed to a sightseeing cruise around Gunkanjima, and the amount equivalent to the Gunkanjima landing fee will be refunded. In the event of cancellation, an alternative sightseeing option (Gunkanjima Digital Museum) or a refund equivalent to the group charter price will be offered, so please be aware of this in advance.
This tour does not utilize chartered buses. Transportation within the sightseeing area will be by foot or tram, so please wear comfortable walking shoes.
The approximately 3 hours of free time in Nagasaki for the September 25th departure will be split into before and after the Gunkanjima cruise due to the cruise's boarding schedule.
This tour includes a one-day pass for the Nagasaki streetcar. The tour guide will provide it to you on the day of the tour.
Lunch is not included in this tour. Please find something to eat on your own while exploring Nagasaki city.
The order of the itinerary may be changed.
Gunkanjima, officially Hashima Island, was a bustling coal mining community vital to Japan's industrialization. Its abandonment was primarily due to the decline of coal mining as an energy source. As Japan shifted towards petroleum in the 1960s, the island's coal mine became uneconomical. The mine was officially closed in January 1974, leading to the rapid exodus of its entire population, leaving the island completely deserted.
Hashima Island, commonly known as Gunkanjima, was formerly owned by Mitsubishi Corporation, which operated its coal mines. However, the island was transferred to the city of Nagasaki in 2001. Since 2015, Gunkanjima has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, specifically as part of the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution, acknowledging its significant historical and industrial heritage.
Access to Gunkanjima Island is strictly regulated for safety and preservation. The only way for visitors to land on the island is by joining an authorized guided boat tour. These tours typically depart from various ports in Nagasaki, providing a safe and structured way to experience the island while adhering to necessary regulations. Independent access or private boat landings are not permitted.
Yes, there are strict regulations in place for visiting Gunkanjima Island due to its fragile state and safety concerns. Visitors must join an authorized guided tour and are only allowed to walk along designated viewing paths and platforms. Free exploration of the decaying buildings is prohibited. Landings are also subject to weather conditions, as rough seas can prevent boats from docking safely, leading to cancellations.
Hashima Island (Gunkanjima) is often described as a 'ghost island' due to its dramatic appearance of abandoned, decaying concrete buildings. Its unique atmosphere stems from the striking contrast between its past as a vibrant, densely populated mining city and its current desolate state. Visitors are often captivated by the sense of a 'forgotten world' or a 'post-apocalyptic' landscape, making it a powerful and somewhat eerie historical site.
The typical duration for an on-island visit at Gunkanjima, once you have landed, is usually around 45 to 60 minutes. This time is dedicated to a guided walk along the designated viewing pathways, allowing visitors to observe the historical ruins and learn about the island's past from the tour guide. The overall tour duration, including the cruise to and from the island, will be longer.
With the included tram pass, visitors have the freedom to explore various attractions in Nagasaki. In Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, you can enjoy delicious local cuisine and explore vibrant shops. The Minamiyamate district offers historical charm, including the beautiful Glover Garden with its Western-style residences and panoramic views, the stunning Oura Cathedral, and the quaint, sloping streets of the Dutch Slope, providing a rich cultural experience.
The Gunkanjima cruise portion of the tour offers a unique perspective of the island before and after landing. During the cruise, you will travel by boat from Nagasaki to Gunkanjima, enjoying scenic views of the surrounding seas. Guides often provide detailed commentary about the island's history and significance. As the boat circles Gunkanjima, you'll get to see the island's silhouette and abandoned structures from various angles, providing memorable photo opportunities.