Gunkanjima island (Battleship Island) Cruise Experience in Nagasaki
Highlights
- Enjoy a day trip to the island, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site
- English guidebook is available during the tour
- Discover the spectacular filming sites of James Bond's "Skyfall"
What to expect
Gunkanjima, also known as Hashima, is an isolated island located about 19 km southwest of Nagasaki Port. From the Meiji era to the Showa era, it thrived as a coal mining town and, along with the neighboring Takashima coal mine, supported Japan's modernization. However, with the changing times, the mine was closed in 1974, and the island is now uninhabited. During the peak of coal production, Gunkanjima operated 24 hours a day in three shifts, earning it the nickname "the island that never sleeps" due to its constant brightness even at midnight.
■The setting for the movie "007: Skyfall"!
Gunkanjima appeared as the model for the abandoned island "Dead City," where Bond's enemy resides, in the movie "007: Skyfall." Although the ruins of the island were recreated on a set built in the outskirts of London, in the film, it looks as if the scenes were actually shot on Gunkanjima.
■The exceptional hospitality offered exclusively by Gunkanjima Concierge.
・We will guide you through Gunkanjima, using historical materials from the "Gunkanjima Society," which has been researching the island for many years, as well as insights from those who were born and raised on the island and experts who study it scientifically and clinically. This will provide you with a vivid sense of life on Gunkanjima.
・We cater to a wide range of requests, from general sightseeing to specialized discussions in various fields.
・Our concierge guides and supporters will enhance your experience right from the moment you board the ship.
■Guided Tours by Concierge Guides
Concierge Guides who dedicate themselves daily to the mission of passing down the legacy of Gunkanjima, a place where people risked their lives for their families and livelihoods.They vividly depict the lives of those who survived through turbulent times, including the extremely rare high-rise apartment buildings and the perilous coal mining work.
・What is Gunkanjima? Special aspects of Gunkanjima
・Coal and the beginning of Japan's modernization
・Life on the island during the Showa era
・Stories of coal miners on Hashima and their families
・Unique architectural structures of Gunkanjima
・Stories about the island's infrastructure
・Culture of Hashima and the temperament of its people
What's included
- Boarding fee
- English guidebook
- Admission fee for the Gunkanjima Digital Museum
- Japanese-speaking guide
About this experience
Schedule
- Check-in at Gunkanjima Digital Museum 1F
- Museum TourTime Travel to Gunkanjima! Experience the vibrant past of this World Heritage Site through giant screens and projection mapping, exploring areas not accessible on tours.
*You will need to walk approximately 5 minutes from the Gunkanjima Digital Museum to the boarding location at Tokiwa Pier. - Boarding StartsWe display photos and models to help you learn more about Gunkanjima. After check-in, during the 20 minutes before departure, a guide will provide an overview and show footage of the island in its operational days.
*Free seating is available on the first floor and the basement floor. - Boarding the "Jupiter" and Departing from Tokiwa Pier 1Please enjoy the onboard guide. After departure, you will see the former foreign settlements on the left and the Nagasaki Mitsubishi Shipyard on the right. Our concierge guide will introduce you to the hammerhead crane, the guest house, and the dock where the battleship Musashi was built.

- Cruising Around GunkanjimaThe high-rise residential buildings are densely clustered on the opposite side of Dolphin Pier, to the west, and can only be seen up close during the cruise.

- Landing on Gunkanjima *Unable to land on bad weather days.Tour Gunkanjima on a 220-meter path with guides at three spots.
*The following requires an additional fee.
【Admission Fees for Gunkanjima】
Adults & Students ¥650 / Children ¥320 / Infants Free
- Gunkanjima Landing CourseThe red area on the map indicates the sightseeing passage (220m).

- \We Will Guide You/
- ★☆Guide: Tokutoshi Kosugi☆★I am a true Nagasaki local who loves the Okunchi festival.I have been researching Sakamoto Ryoma in Nagasaki, as I was born and raised very close to Kameyama Shachu.Seeing Gunkanjima up close for the first time was shocking.I want guests to feel Gunkanjima's atmosphere and Nagasaki's charm.

- ★☆Moriyama Rioko Guide☆★I lived on Ikeshima during its vibrant days in the 1980s and feel a special nostalgia for the closed Hashima Coal Mine. I want to continue sharing the story of Gunkanjima from the perspective of someone who lived there.

- ★☆Tsuyoshi Hamaguchi Guide☆★Under the guidance of renowned Nagasaki scholar Professor Brian Burke-Gaffney, I recognized the historical significance of Gunkanjima. Gunkanjima is not just a relic of the past but a vision of the future. I aim to express the aesthetics of its demise artistically.

- Disembark and Disperse at Tokiwa Pier
Location and Directions
Check-in
Gunkanjima Digital Museum
Gunkanjima Digital Museum, 5-6 Matsugae-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
■ For Customers Arriving by Car
If you are using the expressway, exit at the last exit, Nagasaki Dejima Road Exit, turn left at the traffic light, and proceed towards Glover Garden.
After about 300 meters, you will see the "Ōura Kaigan-dōri" tram stop in the middle of the road, and on that corner, there is a family restaurant called "Gusto."
Turn right at "Gusto," and you will find the "Tokiwa Prefectural Parking Lot" on your right. (120 yen/30 minutes) *2 minutes from the Nagasaki Dejima Road Exit.
The "Concierge Tour Lounge" is located on the first floor of the two-story Tokiwa Terminal Building behind the family restaurant "Gusto."
*Please note that there is no dedicated parking lot.
*The prefectural parking lot is a 1-minute walk across the road.
■ For Customers Using the City Tram (Streetcar)
If you are coming from JR Nagasaki Station, take the (1) line bound for "Shōkakuji-shita," get off at "Tsukimachi," and receive a transfer ticket when you get off. From the opposite stop, take the (5) line bound for "Ishibashi." Get off at the second stop from "Tsukimachi," "Ōura Kaigan-dōri," and head towards the restaurant "Gusto." Next to it is the "Tokiwa Terminal."
*Travel time: 30 seconds on foot from "Ōura Kaigan-dōri," about 20 minutes from JR Nagasaki Station.
Access to the Gunkanjima Digital Museum
*For those who have applied for admission tickets as an option, please come directly here.
■ Bus
Take bus number 30 or 40 from the south exit of Nagasaki Station (opposite Hotel New Nagasaki).
Get off at "Glover Garden Entrance" and walk for 30 seconds.
■ Car
Take the Nagasaki Expressway and then the Nagasaki Dejima Road towards Oura Cathedral.
■ Nagasaki Electric Tram
Take a ride from the nearest tram stop and get off at "Oura Cathedral" and walk for 1 minute.
Check-out
Tokiwa Pier 1
1-60 Tokiwamachi, Nagasaki City
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Restrictions
- Children under 2 years old cannot participate in this tour for safety reasons. For preschool children, an age verification document is required. Please bring a form of identification, such as a health insurance card. Failure to provide verification may result in being unable to board.
- Customers with preschool children, please refer to the following PDF for details.
- Admission fee for Gunkanjima is required besides the tour fee.
【Admission Fee for Gunkanjima】
・Until December 2025
Adults / Junior & Senior High School Students: ¥310
Elementary School Students: ¥150
Infants: Free
・From April 2026
Adults / Junior & Senior High School Students: ¥650
Elementary & Junior High School Students: ¥320
Infants: Free - <Note>
-The guide is only available in Japanese, but the tour offers English guidebook with the same content.
-The tour is currently not offering audio guide rentals.
-Other handouts and postings are also available in English. - [Weather Criteria for Prohibiting the Use of Gunkanjima Dolphin Pier]
Landing on Gunkanjima is only permitted if weather safety standards are met.
Criteria for Prohibiting the Use of the Pier
1.When wind speed exceeds 5 meters per second
2.When wave height exceeds 0.5 meters
3.When visibility is less than 500 meters
*If the captain deems it unsafe, the pier will not be used.
What to bring
- Sneakers or flat-soled shoes
- Comfortable and lightweight clothing
- Please bring a raincoat in case of rainy weather.
-For safety reasons, umbrellas are not allowed on Gunkanjima.
-Raincoats are also available on the ship. - On sunny days, the glare can be intense, so we recommend you to bring a wide-brimmed hat and some drinks.
Other requirements
- You will be required to sign a waiver on the day of the tour. Please bring a writing instrument. (There is no need to prepare the waiver in advance.)
Additional notes
- Due to the risk of building collapse, approaching the structures is not allowed.
- The high-density, high-rise residential buildings can only be viewed during the cruise from the cruise ship.
- Please follow the instructions of the guides and safety personnel.Also please stay together as a group while on the island.
- Visitors must not stop for photography while moving through the narrow passage.
- Here is the map of Gunkanjima. The red areas indicate the viewing paths (220 meters).
Operated by
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation until your booking is confirmed.
- 1-7 business days before (local time): 30%
- Less than 1 business day before / No-show: 100%
Reviews
Guest photos 359
コンシェルジュの船は快適でした。ただ受付時間前に並んで待つのは暑い日は大変でした。
など、当初の募集ページの内容とは違った。
軍艦島上陸したが、上陸できたのは、島全体の1割程度だった。
On the ship, the detailed explanations were very good, but I was disappointed by the restrictions on where we could take photos from the ship and the limited time we could spend on the deck, depending on the tour we booked. I would have liked to have been informed in detail about the differences in conditions in advance. For those planning to go in the future, I think it's best to check the conditions and choose an option that fits your needs,… The waves were high, so we couldn't go to Gunkanjima.
On the ship, the detailed explanations were very good, but I was disappointed by the restrictions on where we could take photos from the ship and the limited time we could spend on the deck, depending on the tour we booked. I would have liked to have been informed in detail about the differences in conditions in advance. For those planning to go in the future, I think it's best to check the conditions and choose an option that fits your needs, even if it means paying an additional fee. 波が高く軍艦島にははいれませんでした。
船内で、詳しく説明をして下さり大変良かったのですが、申し込んだツアーによって船から写真を撮る場所の制限や、甲板に出させて頂ける時間の制限等が有りがっかりしました。
前もって、条件の違い等の案内を詳しく教えて欲しかったです。
今後行かれる方は、条件を確認し、追加代金を払っても自身の条件に合ったものを選んだら良いと思います。
By the way, at Nagasaki Port, we were able to see real warships. The views of the various churches in Nagasaki from the ship are also highlights.
It's clear that the concierge is… During the tour I participated in, we were able to land on Gunkanjima. However, I think it's better to think of it as more of a "landing commemorative" experience rather than being able to explore freely. The angle for photographing Gunkanjima varies somewhat depending on where you sit, but that's just a matter of luck.
By the way, at Nagasaki Port, we were able to see real warships. The views of the various churches in Nagasaki from the ship are also highlights.
It's clear that the concierge is prioritizing and promoting the premium tour, but ultimately, you can still see Gunkanjima on this general tour, and I felt there wasn't a significant difference. 私が参加した回では、軍艦島に上陸できました。しかし、自由に散策できるわけではなく、「上陸記念」程度に思った方がいいと思います。座る席の位置によって多少軍艦島の撮影角度が変わります。でもそこは運次第です。
ちなみに、長崎港では本物の軍艦が見れました。船から見る長崎の各教会も見どころですね。
コンシェルジュがプレミアツアーの優遇や優先をしているのがわかりやすく、プレミアツアーを勧めているが、結果的にはこの一般ツアーでも軍艦島は見れることに変わりはなく、大きな違いは無い様に感じました。
海の状況で上陸できないのは解っていたけど、天気は良かったし、大して揺れてるようには思えなかったので、ちょっとがっかりしました。
Even during our return to port, there were explanations about the old shipyards, making it a meaningful experience. Additionally, the staff's service was excellent.長崎にある世界遺産を見て上陸してみたいと思い参加させて頂きました。
数日前の台風の影響により、軍艦島には上陸出来ずに残念だった訳ですが、軍艦島を主遊し、ガイドさんからのわかりやすい説明を聞きながら。。
帰港する時も、昔からの造船所等の説明もあり有意義な時間でした。
あとスタッフさん達の接客も素晴らしかったです。
I was incredibly moved by the sight of Gunkanjima! The guide who accompanied us was also fantastic! However, I really wanted to land on the island! I understand that Nagasaki City's regulations are strict, but if we can't land in such good weather, it seems that you need to be very lucky to do so. I would love to go ag… From Osaka, it has been a long-held dream to visit Gunkanjima! Considering the weather forecast and feeling a bit anxious, we were greeted with clear skies on the day of our visit!
I was incredibly moved by the sight of Gunkanjima! The guide who accompanied us was also fantastic! However, I really wanted to land on the island! I understand that Nagasaki City's regulations are strict, but if we can't land in such good weather, it seems that you need to be very lucky to do so. I would love to go again to try to land, but it won't be possible unless the regulations change in Nagasaki City... Still, the scenery was breathtaking! 大阪から兼ねてから念願!!
軍艦島に行く事になり天気予報なども考慮したり悩んだりして当日晴天!!
凄くあの軍艦島の姿に大感動しました!!し 案内してくれたおばさんも最高に良かったです! がやはり
やはり上陸したかった❗️
長崎市の規定が厳しいのは分かりますが
あの天気で無理ならよほど運が良くないと上陸出来ませんね。
上陸する為にまた行きたいと思いますが
長崎市の規定がかわらないと行けませんね… でもあの景色は感動しました❗️
事前に資料を見ていたので、イメージだけど楽しめました。
歴史習慣、生活環境、廃山経路までを知り
とても勉強になりました。
当日は小雨の中を出港しましたが、途中から雨足が強くなり
うねりがひどくなり、港に引き返しました。
次回こそはリベンジを果たし、上陸したいです。
ガイドさんの説明も、船中DVDも面白かったです。
上陸後はもちろん、船中も暇することなく楽しめました。
子連れで(8歳、5歳、2歳)不安でしたが、船酔い予防のために後方座席を確保してくれたり、座席に忘れて帽子を預かっていれくれたりと非常に助かりました!
また行くことがあれば、利用したいです。
ガイドさんの案内も丁寧で分かりやすく勉強になりました。
船は2階建てで上の階はオープンデッキ(イスあり)です。
デッキは人気があるようなので、早めに行って席を確保した方がいいです。
長崎空港からすぐに参加したので、スーツケースを預かってもらえて助かりました。
他にもクルーズされていますが、ここが一番人気だったと思います。
ガイドさんは昔住んでいた方だったので話も面白かったです。



















































