What is Hashima Island in Japan covered with?

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Silent off the coast of Nagasaki, Hashima Island is as intriguing as it is fascinating. This artificial island bears witness to a dazzling industrial past before sinking into abandonment. Shrouded in mystery, it arouses the interest of history and architecture enthusiasts. What remains of Hashima Island today? In this review, discover what's on this island.

History of Hashima Island: From Mining to Abandonment

Off the coast of Nagasaki , Hashima Island has long embodied the industrial momentum of modern Japan. From the late 19th century, this rocky stretch of land became a strategic center for underwater coal mining. Concrete buildings were quickly constructed there to house workers and families, in extremely close quarters. The island reached an exceptional level of human density, becoming one of the most populated places in the world per square meter. It then reflected an economic ambition focused on progress, despite particularly harsh living conditions.

But the decline of the coal industry precipitated its fall. As soon as oil took over, activity slowed down, and mining finally ceased in 1974. The inhabitants then left the area, leaving behind:

• gutted buildings;

• empty corridors; and

• stairs leading nowhere.

Today, the island remains frozen in its abandonment, like a silent remnant of a bygone era. On this island, you'll also discover interior decor reflecting Japanese art. To create the same effect in your home, opt for Japanese decor accessories .

Why is Hashima Island nicknamed “the boat island”?

Located off the coast of Nagasaki, Hashima Island is as fascinating for its shape as for its history. On the surface, it resembles a motionless ship , stranded in the open sea. This intriguing nickname is not a coincidence, but a reality shaped by man and concrete.

A concrete silhouette

Seen from the sea, the island gives the impression of a huge warship frozen in the water. This resemblance is not natural. It is the result of a radical transformation that began at the end of the 19th century . The island, initially rocky and inaccessible, was gradually surrounded by thick protective walls to withstand storms. Over time, these fortifications were topped with tall, massive buildings, creating a compact and angular shape. With no visible vegetation and its gray facades, Hashima seems almost artificial, like an urban block drifting on the ocean. Its hard and austere military appearance has helped to reinforce this impression of a floating battleship. Thus, even before knowing its history, visitors are struck by this unique appearance, where each line of concrete reinforces the illusion of a deserted vessel . This singular visual character largely explains the origin of its nickname.

A nickname inspired by the locals

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The name " boat island " was not given by authorities or geographers , but by those who lived there or observed it from the shores. The inhabitants, daily witnesses to the confinement of their territory, naturally associated their environment with a ship cut off from the world. At its peak in the 1950s, Hashima housed nearly 8,000 people on only 6.3 hectares , one of the highest human densities ever recorded. Living on such a cramped island was like sharing the life of a confined crew , with few escapes. This nickname, initially affectionate or pragmatic, then spread well beyond local borders . It carries a double dimension: that of the concrete form, visible from the sea, and that of daily life in an isolated and entirely constructed space . Thus, the “island-boat” does not only sum up a silhouette: it evokes a way of inhabiting, of resisting, then of abandoning.

Hashima Island and Forced Labor During the War

Behind the thick walls of Hashima Island lies a dark history, often overshadowed by the spectacular image of its ruins. During World War II , coal mining was in full swing and the demand for labor became so high that thousands of Korean and Chinese workers were forced to work there in inhumane conditions . Housed in overcrowded dormitories , exposed to stifling heat, they had to descend into the deep galleries every day to extract coal , often at the risk of their lives. The constant humidity, thick fumes, and omnipresent black dust made the air difficult to breathe. Respiratory diseases , injuries, but also hunger and fatigue were part of daily life.

In the heart of this crowded urban setting, life offered little respite. Even children, crammed into rare spaces like a high-rise daycare center or a tiny schoolyard, grew up in a hostile environment. The central staircase, nicknamed " the stairway to hell ," illustrates the daily physical effort required to get around the island. Despite the apparent modernization, Hashima remained a place of suffering, marked by intensive exploitation and coercion. These lesser-known pages of its history serve as a reminder that beyond the concrete, this island was the scene of many human trials.

Can you visit Hashima Island today?

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Yes, it is possible to visit Hashima Island , although access remains strictly controlled. After decades of abandonment, this site, long closed to the public, reopened in the early 2010s . Its striking appearance and unique atmosphere have attracted the attention of the film world, serving as a setting for international productions such as Skyfall and Inception . This renewed interest has helped put the island back in the spotlight, arousing the curiosity of many travelers. Now, sea excursions are offered from Nagasaki, located about five kilometers away.

However, the visit remains partial, for security reasons. Only certain stabilized areas are open to the public. During a visit, it is possible to:

• discover the exterior remains of old residential buildings;

• observe the concrete protective walls surrounding the island; and

• photograph this setting frozen in time from secure platforms.

Between industrial heritage, historical memory and film set, Hashima continues to awaken the imagination well beyond its ruins.